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

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. Representatives from DFCS are members of the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Taskforce and on the MATCH (Multi-Agency Treatment Team) Committee to ensure children with complex needs are receiving the support and services. DCFS is a member of the Act Early Georgia team, which is described above in section 8.1.1.b.iii. DFCS sits on the Pyramid Model State Leadership team (above) and works with the SEEDS Helpline Coordinator to coordinate technical assistance and to help child care programs resolve issues that might result in preschool suspension or expulsion. DCFS and DECAL work with the Georgia Department of Adult Services on the Kinship Care Work Team to support relative caregivers in keeping children in their family unit when biological parents are unable to maintain custody. The agency works with Prevent Child Abuse Georgia and Georgia State University on the leadership team of the Strengthening Families Protective Factors Framework and Strategic Outreach Committee. vii. [x] Child care provider groups or associations. Describe: The Commissioner of the Lead Agency and members of the Lead Agency's leadership team meet quarterly with the Georgia Child Care Association, the Georgia Association on Young Children, Black Child Development Institute, and the Professional Family Child Care Alliance of Georgia. The Lead Agency also convenes advisory groups throughout the year to seek input from key partners and providers about services, programs, and policy. The Lead Agency collaborates with these partners to resolve issues that may hinder continuity of care and to improve quality in early learning programs. The Lead Agency also collaborates with the Georgia Preschool Association within our Child and Family Development unit by sharing information at local events and conferences annually. viii. [x] Parent groups or organizations. Describe: The Lead Agency employs a Child and Family Development unit to help providers support children and families in their programs. The unit oversees the Family Peer Ambassador Program and works with parent groups and organizations to ensure that families are continually being engaged. The Lead Agency engages families by including them in focus groups, early education advisory boards, and committees. The Lead Agency provides funding through the Pre-K Summer Transition Program for a Transition Coach to work with families to provide training, support, and resources during the program. The Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Director works with the Georgia Parent Support Network (GPSN) to share information and collaborate on events. The Lead Agency works with Parent to Parent of Georgia, an organization of families of children with disabilities within the Act Early Georgia team. ix. [ ] Title IV B 21st Century Community Learning Center Coordinators. Describe: x. [ ] Other. Describe: 8.2 Optional Use of Combined Funds, CCDF Matching, and Maintenance-of-Effort Funds