Nurturing Young Minds: Celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month with BCDI-Atlanta!
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a vital time to prioritize the emotional well-being of our youngest learners. At BCDI-Atlanta, we believe that emotional health is the foundation for all future success. Check out the Taking Care of Our Feelings Activity Guides!
Whether you are a parent at home or an educator in the classroom, these guides are designed to help you co-create safe spaces for children to explore their inner worlds.
We encourage you to visit our website today to download and print these resources to practice at home and at school:
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Ages 0–5 Guide: Help your little ones identify emotions before they even have the words to express them. This guide focuses on sensory play, recognizing facial expressions, and using storytime to build early emotional security.
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Ages 6–8 Guide: For our school-aged children, these activities introduce expanded emotional vocabulary, reflective journaling, and creative calm-down exercises to help them navigate more complex social-emotional landscapes.
When we take care of our feelings, we empower our future!
DOWNLOAD HERE
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Community Café: Taking Care of Our Family’s Mental Health
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Join BCDI-Atlanta for a family-focused conversation on mental health during our May Community Café. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, this interactive session will explore practical strategies for supporting the emotional well-being of both children and parents.
The event will feature a panel of experts, including a child psychologist, a family therapist, a school counselor, and a parent advocate with lived experience. This interactive session is designed to provide you with actionable tools to promote a healthy, supportive atmosphere at home.
Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or community member, this Café is a safe space to learn, connect, and leave with practical tools to support your family’s mental well-being. Support your family’s mental health!
REGISTER NOW!
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BCDI-Atlanta Invites You to Join Us
Beyond the Closure – A Community Town Hall
School closures are being proposed for the 2026–27 school year—and the decisions being made now will have lasting impacts on Black students, educators, and communities.
We invite you to join us for a virtual town hall, Beyond the Closure: Lasting Impacts on Black Students & Educators, led by Lifted Voices Fellows David Johnny and Sharod Smalls, Jr., and featuring guest speakers Meeyah Yehuda and Tonya Henderson.
This conversation will create space to better understand what’s being proposed, hear key insights, and engage in dialogue about how these potential changes could affect our communities—and how we can prepare and respond together.
Event Details:
📅 Thursday, May 7, 2026
⏰ 6:30 - 7:30 PM
💻 Virtual (Zoom)
Who should attend:
Families, students, educators, community activists, and fellowship members
During this session, we will explore:
- What we know about the proposed school closures
- Potential impacts on students, families, and educators
- What our communities need to stay informed, prepared, and engaged
Your voice is an important part of this conversation, and we hope you will join us.
Register to receive the Zoom link:
https://bit.ly/LVTOWNHALL
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Celebrating Excellence: The Legacy of our Expand ECE Fellows
BCDI-Atlanta is glowing with pride as we celebrate the incredible achievements of our Expand ECE Fellows. From the classroom to the honors podium, these educators are proving that when we invest in our teachers, we transform the future of early childhood education.
🎉 Congratulations to Our Newest Graduates
Join us in a massive round of applause for our most recent cohorts who have completed their journeys. These 16 graduates represent the heart of our mission, bringing advanced skills and passion back to Georgia’s early learning programs.
🌟 A Milestone of Academic Excellence
We are thrilled to announce that 11 of our former Expand ECE Fellows were recently inducted into the Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education at Mercer University. This prestigious induction recognizes not only their academic brilliance but also their deep commitment to the field of education.
"This success is a testament to the dedication of these students and the power of intentional support," says Dr. Sheila Thompson, Co-Program Director at Mercer University and BCDI-Atlanta Advisory Group member. "Seeing our fellows honored as top-tier scholars highlights the profound impact of providing educators with the resources they need to thrive."
🤝 The Impact of the DECAL Community Transformation Grant
This success story would not be possible without the generous support of the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL). Through the Community Transformation Grant, we have been able to support nearly 100 educators across the state of Georgia.
This grant is more than just funding; it is a catalyst for professional growth, allowing educators to pursue higher education and leadership roles that directly benefit our children and families.
To our Fellows: Your hard work is inspiring. Thank you for your commitment to excellence in early childhood education. We can’t wait to see the ripples of impact you continue to make in your communities!
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Expand ECE Fellowship Apply Now!
We are excited to offer a unique opportunity for individuals passionate about early childhood education. Our fellowship program is designed to support and empower future educators through hands-on experience, mentorship, and professional development.
Program Highlights:
- Hands-On Experience: Engage in culturally responsive early childhood education practices.
- Mentorship: Receive guidance from experienced educators and professionals in the field.
- Professional Development: Participate in opportunities that enhance your skills and expand your professional network.
- Education Coaching: Fellows will be assigned to an education coach to support their academic journey toward an Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Early Education.
Who Should Apply:
- Individuals passionate about making a difference in early education.
- Those seeking to engage with their communities and advocate for positive change.
- Educators aspiring to grow professionally and expand their impact.
Apply Today!
Take the next step in your career and join our transformative fellowship program.
Learn more and apply.
FAQ
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Welcome to the New NBCDI Engagement System (NES)!
BCDI-Atlanta is entering a bold new chapter. As our movement for Black children and families gains strength, we are evolving how we organize, advocate, and grow together. To amplify our collective voice, we are thrilled to introduce the NBCDI Engagement System (NES)—our new digital infrastructure designed to strengthen member engagement and mobilize for lasting change.
Why NES?
NES is more than just a membership portal; it is the engine that turns local leadership into coordinated action. By activating your account, you help us streamline our advocacy efforts and ensure that the Atlanta Village remains a powerful force for progress.
Choose Your Membership
Ready to join the movement or renew your commitment? Select the membership level that fits you best and join us in NES today:
Let’s mobilize for the future. We'll see you in the system!
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BCDI-Atlanta Summer Fridays
At BCDI-Atlanta, we believe that mental health matters—not just for the families we serve, but for the dedicated team that supports them.
To honor this commitment, we will be observing Summer Fridays from June through August. Our offices will be closed on Fridays during these months to allow our staff time to rest, recharge, and prioritize a healthy work-life balance.
We encourage our entire community to take a moment this summer to breathe, unplug, and nurture your own well-being.
Office Hours (June – August):
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Monday – Thursday: Open 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
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Friday: Closed for Summer Fridays
Thank you for your continued support as we practice the self-care we advocate for every day!
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Celebrate Children’s Mental Health Week: May 4–8, 2026
The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) is proud to celebrate our sixth annual Children’s Mental Health Week. A child’s emotional well-being is built on a foundation of strong, nurturing relationships with the adults in their lives. Because everyone—including infants and toddlers—has mental health, this week serves as a vital window of opportunity to support social-emotional development and address the stigma surrounding mental health.
This year, we invite you to “Take A PAWS with CALi” and Commissioner Amy Jacobs. This grounding technique helps both adults and children navigate "big feelings" by returning to the present moment. For adults, PAWS focuses on modeling calm: Pause, Acknowledge feelings, Watch your breath, and Settle your body. For children, it’s a playful way to Pause, Ask how they feel, Wiggle your fingers and toes, and Stretch your arms like a tree. Find this tool and other resources on the DECAL website to learn more!
Share your photos using #littlekidsbigfeelings, #DECALCMHWeek2026, to nurture healthy connections across Georgia and promote Children’s Mental Health!
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Georgia Literacy Teacher of the Year
The Georgia Literacy Teacher of the Year award is supported by Georgia's Council on Literacy and has been funded by generous donations to the Council. In 2026, the Council will recognize one literacy teacher from each of the state's 16 Regional Service Education Agencies (RESAs), and one statewide finalist will be awarded the State Literacy Teacher of the Year from those regional winners.
Complete the online application by clicking here. The deadline for completed applications is June 15, 2026. If you have questions regarding the application process, please email Stacey Lutz at stacey.lutz@gosa.ga.gov.
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4th Annual National Great Girl Meet-Up
The National Great Girl Meet-Up is a transformational weekend experience designed for girls ages 8 to 15 and their parent or guardian.
This year’s theme, “My Voice In Action”, focuses on helping girls not just find their voice but use it with confidence, clarity, and courage.
Throughout the weekend, Great Girls will engage in interactive sessions, hands-on activities, and meaningful conversations that build confidence, communication skills, leadership, and self-expression.
This is more than a meet-up. This is where growth happens.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Great Girls:
- All workshop sessions and activities
- Lodging for the full weekend
- Meals throughout the event
- Great Girl swag bag
- Sisterhood and connection experiences
Parents and Guardians:
- Parent sessions and discussions
- Full weekend access
- Shared lodging accommodations
- Meals
Click Here to Learn More & Secure Your Spot!
Space is limited. Secure your spot today!
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The Library Dads ATL Fatherhood Tour: Gwinnett County Edition
The Library Dads are closing out the Atlanta Fatherhood Tour in Gwinnett County, with moms welcome to join the finale. It's a family edition! This five-month tour is a compilation of Library Link-ups held in Fulton, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, and Gwinnett.
The program is tailored for kids ages 0-8, but older children are welcome. This is an opportunity to bond with your kids in a fun and free environment, while also connecting with other parents in your community. Moms, dads, and/or caregivers are welcome to attend this event.
Registration is required.
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This forum is space for early education stakeholders to connect and share with each other. Start by introducing yourself with areas of interest, posting your relative content, sharing media, or information for advancing equity in early care and education.
LEARN MORE
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