GEEARS: GA Early Ed Alliance for Ready Students

Earlier today, GEEARS joined 22 of our Infant-Toddler Coalition partners to stage a virtual town hall for child care providers. It was a safe space for real talk about challenges facing the early education industry. It was a pep talk about the power of advocacy. And most of all, it was an information session about current policies and issues that providers can discuss directly with their legislators. Thank you to the nearly 80 providers from around Georgia who attended and to the amazing partners who made the town hall happen! If you didn’t make it in person, check out the recording here! youtube.com/watch?v=M1xV8s…

At a pivotal moment for early childhood policy nationally and in Georgia, GEEARS seeks a visionary and strategic Executive Director to lead our organization into its next phase of growth and impact. Click here to learn more and apply! geears.org/about-us/caree…

Great News! #HB1118, which would extend maternity leave for state employees & public school teachers from six to nine weeks, passed the Senate Committee on Children and Families yesterday. Early caregiver bonding shapes healthy brain development. Paid parental leave supports those first connections, boosts infant health, and helps retain this critical workforce. Thanks to @TucciSandy1 and Chairwoman Kay Kirkpatrick for your leadership on behalf of working families. #gapol

The GEEARS Team broke out our green outfits to visit the Capitol today. Our message: Georgia’s Future is our Pot of Gold! Many legislators, advocates, and other Georgians stopped by our table to chat, grab a chocolate coin, and collect our literature about vital issues like paid leave for families, strengthening Georgia's Pre-K, and improving access to quality child care. What LUCK that such a fruitful advocacy opportunity happened on St. Patrick’s Day!

Have you completed your @MSRC_ATL application yet? The deadline is TOMORROW so we hope you’ll apply now to join our powerful network of educators, child care providers, camp directors, and others committed to early literacy. Click here: surveymonkey.com/r/MSRC2026

Crossover Day has passed, and the legislative session is moving fast 🏛️. What does it mean for Georgia’s youngest children 👶 and their families 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦? Our latest blog breaks down where key bills and budget priorities stand—and what comes next 📊. Read the update at the link in bio 🔗.

The budget has reached the Senate! Now is the moment to speak up. 📣 Take action to support maternal-child home visiting and child care funding—two investments that help Georgia’s youngest children and families thrive. 🔗 Click the link in our bio to contact your State Senator today.

The @MSRC_ATL is so much more than a book giveaway program. Community partners craft literacy-rich, community-bonding programming around our stories. Apply to be one of these high-impact partners today! surveymonkey.com/r/MSRC2026

Children thrive when learning takes place in high-quality facilities, yet few providers can build, renovate, & modernize their spaces. Senate Bill 554 would create the Georgia Child Care Facilities Program. Read our @SaportaReport column to learn more! tinyurl.com/ynzh6nxx

We’re delighted to share that PAACT Director Shawnell Johnson has been selected to serve as @jlatlanta's Executive Vice President for 2026–2027! Her leadership, vision, and commitment to service and advocacy make this a well‑deserved achievement. Congratulations, Shawnell!

GEEARS has been collecting stories from child care providers to learn about their innovations, their challenges, and their impacts on Georgia’s youngest children. Anthony Chiles, principal and site director of Waynesboro Primary School, shared that support for his program, whether it’s from therapists who can serve students with special needs, training that helps teacher stay current, or capital funding to update facilities, can make an immediate and palpable impact on students—impact that lasts into their K-12 years. To hear more stories, click here: geears.org/ganeedschildca…

Are you a child-serving organization in Atlanta? Apply to be an @MSRC_ATL partner! We’ll help you craft literacy-rich programming for your community and provide free books for families to take home. Click here to apply: surveymonkey.com/r/MSRC2026

Exciting news! #HB1118, which would extend maternity leave for state employees and public school teachers from six to nine weeks, passed the House unanimously yesterday. Help us build on this momentum for paid leave by asking House Rules to send #HB1318 to the floor for a vote. #HB1318 would authorize the Georgia Department of Labor to commission an independent actuarial study on the cost, design, and sustainability of a statewide paid family program. geears.org/take-action/ad… #gapol

Exciting update! #SB554, which would create the Georgia Child Care Facilities Grant Program—was introduced last week and heard yesterday in the Senate Committee on Education and Youth. The bill builds on GEEARS’ work alongside partners like the @Liifund and was informed by the @PAACTatl Repair and Renovation Grant Program, which demonstrated how targeted capital investments can strengthen child care. GEEARS' Mindy Binderman and three rural child care providers testified that investing in the physical spaces where early learning happens strengthens a critical part of Georgia’s economic and community infrastructure, supporting families, a growing workforce, and healthy child development. Although the bill was not voted on yesterday, we will continue to advocate for the creation of this grant program by uplifting the real facility needs facing child care providers across Georgia.

Our latest newsletter highlights opportunities to partner with GEEARS, exciting upcoming events, and more! mailchi.mp/geears/februar…

GEEARS is in Washington, DC this week advocating for Georgia’s youngest learners! Our Senior Policy Manager for Early Childhood Education, Jessica Woltjen, is attending the NAEYC Public Policy Forum and meeting with Georgia’s congressional delegation on Capitol Hill to advocate for programs and policies that support young children, families, and early educators.

Exciting update! #HB1118, which would extend maternity leave for state employees and public school teachers from six to nine weeks, passed the House Committee on Public and Community Health last week. Thanks to @TucciSandy1 and @JanJonesGA for your leadership on this important bill! #gapol

Do you wonder what it’s REALLY like to participate in Strolling Thunder? Our latest @SaportaReport column depicts a day in the life of a GA mom and daughter as they advocate at the state Capitol. Click here to follow Rebecca and Mia’s very full day! tinyurl.com/34j6puwu