Welcome, Amy Jacobs, DECAL Interim Commissioner

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DECAL Interim Commissioner Amy Jacobs

We join Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) in welcoming Amy Jacobs as interim commissioner. Gov. Nathan Deal appointed Jacobs to replace Bobby Cagle, who now serves as interim director for the Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS).

Before moving to DECAL, Jacobs served as senior policy adviser for the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget (OPB). She began her career there in the Planning, Research, and Evaluation Division in 2001, where her work focused on strategic planning and program evaluation. While at OPB, she also served as director of the Education Division and the General Government Division.

In a letter of introduction to DECAL’s partners who serve children and families, Jacobs wrote:

While at OPB I became familiar with DECAL’s programs and budget, and the department’s reputation for responsibly serving our state’s children, their families, and you…early care and education providers, advocates, and other early childhood stakeholders.

I believe the department’s success and reputation are directly related to those of you in local communities who are serving and advocating on behalf of the well-being of children.

The department has experienced a lot a change recently. This will slow down for awhile as I get up to speed on all that we are doing…and I do not plan to diverge from the solid, strategic direction that DECAL has established. Ensuring health and safety; Increasing quality and access; and Fostering Organizational Excellence will continue to be DECAL’s strategic themes, and all the work that we do will promote each of these critically important areas.

Senior leadership and senior management are part of an incredibly dedicated and knowledgeable staff. Over the next months, I look forward to meeting and working with many of you as I plan to continue engaging providers, advocates, and our other partners. I strongly believe that the people affected by state policies and practices should at least have a voice in informing those policies and practices.

I appreciate all that you do for Georgia’s youngest learners and their families. I assure you: your work—our work—is important to the governor, to the Legislature, to me…and especially to the citizens of Georgia, young and old, who reap the benefits.

A University of Georgia alumna, Jacobs also serves as a member of the Governor’s Innovation Fund Advisory Board. Prior to her position at OPB, she worked at the Georgia Court of Appeals. Jacobs and her husband, John, are members of Northside United Methodist Church. They have two children and reside in Mableton.

We congratulate Commissioner Jacobs and Commissioner Cagle in their new roles and will continue—as a network—to support their vital work in ensuring that all children and families in Georgia thrive.

Read the official press release from the Governor’s Office.