Page 338

338 | P a g e FFY 2025–2027 CCDF State Plan

CCDF-eligible children and families are aligned. The Lead Agency administers Georgia's Pre-K Program, the state-funded prekindergarten program. The Lead Agency works to ensure that instruction in B-5 programs, including Georgia’s Pre-K Program, is aligned with K-3 instruction. The Lead Agency and the DOE work on aligning learning standards, curricula, and school readiness standards. h. State/Territory agency responsible for child care licensing. Describe the coordination and results of the coordination: The child care services licensing division (CCS) and the CCDF subsidy division, Child and Parent Services (CAPS), are both housed within the Lead Agency. As a result, coordination and alignment of services happens on a regular basis. Meetings are held at least monthly with representatives from each division to discuss and align practices, coordinate efforts, and streamline processes. In addition, representatives from both divisions attend program staffings weekly, to discuss and evaluate compliance of a program and further enforcement action that may be needed and/or the direct result such impact will have on children and families within those programs. i. State/Territory agency responsible for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and other relevant nutrition programs. Describe the coordination and results of the coordination: The Lead Agency administers the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) in Georgia. Because both the subsidy program and the CACFP are housed in the same agency, CACFP and subsidy leaders work together closely to coordinate and align services. Specifically, Directors from both programs serve on the Leadership team of the lead agency and meet regularly. The programs also regularly collaborate on issues that impact both programs such as policy changes, adverse actions, and change of ownership in childcare programs. j. McKinney-Vento State coordinators for homeless education and other agencies providing services for children experiencing homelessness and, to the extent practicable, local McKinney-Vento liaisons. Describe the coordination and results of the coordination: The state currently coordinates services among many programs serving homeless and low- income populations. First, Local Education Agencies that receive Pre-K funding must comply with McKinney-Vento's mandates by providing children who are experiencing homelessness equal access. Also, the Lead Agency provides child care subsidies, Georgia's Pre-K funding, and Summer Transition Program funding to high-quality early learning programs that serve families who are experiencing homeless and braids funding to ensure that families who are homeless have access to full-day, full-year care. k. State/Territory agency responsible for the TANF program. Describe the coordination and results of the coordination: The Executive Director of the Georgia Division of Family and Children's Services, the state's child welfare agency, and the Director of the State Office of the Child Advocate sit on the Georgia Children's Cabinet with the Commissioner of the Lead Agency. The Georgia Children's Cabinet connects all departments and agencies serving children in the state to align state priorities and programs. The Georgia Children's Cabinet meets every two months to ensure ongoing communication and information sharing. The agency responsible for TANF is the Georgia Division of Family and Children’s Services (DFCS), the state’s child welfare agency. The Lead Agency’s CAPS program coordinates with DFCS by meeting as needed to discuss child care related needs and concerns. Additionally, CAPS coordinates with DFCS by receiving referrals for child care services for families who are participating in or transitioning from TANF. This coordination results in