DECAL Announces Round Two of POWER Payments

January 8, 2022 Print This Post

Supplemental Payments of $1,000 For All Eligible Early Learning Professionals and Staff in Georgia

For the second time in less than a year, the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) is awarding $1,000 supplemental payments to all eligible early learning professionals and staff in Georgia.

“Known as POWER, for Providing Our Workforce Essential Recognition, these payments are a small yet significant way to recognize the dedication and hard work shown during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said DECAL Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs. “The early learning workforce always deserves recognition for the work they perform, but especially with the critical role they have played for the nearly two years of the pandemic. The dedication and passion of this workforce for children and their families is really what’s unprecedented.” Jacobs said the first round of POWER paid $33,405,000 to 33,405 early learning professionals and staff.

Applications for round two of the POWER payments will be open from January 18 to February 18, 2022. These payments will be funded through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. POWER supplemental payments are available to Georgia’s early care and education professionals working in DECAL licensed child care programs, Department of Defense programs, Early Head Start and Head Start programs, or Georgia’s Pre-K Program lead teachers and assistant teachers in public schools.

DECAL will hold two webinars on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, to explain the POWER application process. This will include an explanation of application requirements for new staff and for those who received a POWER payment in 2021.

The webinar for Family Child Care Learning Homes will be held at 10:30 a.m. Register here.

The webinar for Child Care Learning Centers will be held at 3 p.m. Register here.

A key part of the distribution of payments is the Georgia Professional Development System (GaPDS), our workforce registry. Every eligible employee must have a PDS number to receive payment. Directors should be encouraging any employee who does not have a profile to register on GaPDS immediately.

DECAL will continue to communicate with the early learning workforce through decal.ga.gov and social media, as well as e-mails. You may also e-mail questions or comments to supplementalpayments@decal.ga.gov.

Contact:
Reg Griffin
DECAL Communications Director
404-656-0239
reg.griffin@decal.ga.gov

Bill Valladares
GaFCP Communications Director
404-739-0043
william@gafcp.org

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Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning is responsible for meeting the child care and early education needs of Georgia’s children and their families. It administers the nationally recognized Georgia’s Pre-K Program, licenses child care centers