gcca accomplishments

GCCA Stands: A Proven Record of Powerful Results

Relentless advocacy. Real wins. A stronger future for child care in Georgia.

The Georgia Child Care Association (GCCA) is the united voice of Georgia’s child care industry. Every win below reflects sustained member investment, coordinated advocacy, and direct engagement at the Capitol, in committee rooms, and with decision-makers. When GCCA speaks, Georgia listens.

2025: Expanding Our Impact

Financial Impact

• Secured $3.9 Million for CAPS expansion, creating 500 new state-funded CAPS slots—more children in care and more funding to providers.
  
  
• Protected $1.5 Million for CAPS reimbursement rates at the 60th percentile to keep provider payments strong.
  
  
• Won $14 Million for Georgia Pre-K year two expansion—adding 93 classrooms, reducing class sizes from 22 to 20, and improving instructional quality.
  
  
• Testified in favor of HB 136, expanding child and dependent care tax credits and creating new childcare tax programs.
  
  

Legislative and Policy Advocacy

• Hosted the inaugural Child Care Impact Luncheon, bringing lawmakers, regulators, and providers together to address the industry’s future.
  
  
• Passed SB 68 and SB 69 after intensive lobbying—delivering lawsuit reform to control skyrocketing insurance costs.
  
  
• Backed HB 175 to modernize background check systems for early childhood programs and Head Start.
  
  
• Maintained strong member representation on the DECAL CAPS Advisory Council and Child Trends Study Advisory Team (tasked with a statewide review of GA quality standards) to ensure provider voices remain influential.

2024: Once-in-a-Generation Wins

Financial Impact

• Led advocacy efforts that delivered $97.6 Million for Georgia Pre-K—the largest funding increase in a generation. This included:
  
  
  • Over $17M boost to provider operations, with supply grants raised from $8,000 to $30,000 for new classrooms.
  • $15k replenishment grants every 5 years.
  • $1,600 per classroom for transportation.
  • Class size reduction and 85 new classrooms per year for four years.
  • 24% increase in operating funding and substantial teacher salary raises aligned with K-12 pay.
    
    
• Secured a $75 Million CAPS increase, achieving the highest reimbursement rates in DECAL history.
  
  

Legislative and Policy Advocacy

• Testified before the Senate Study Committee on Affordable Child Care, ensuring provider concerns shaped the state’s recommendations.
  
  
• Saw GCCA’s written recommendations adopted into the Committee’s official report to the Lt. Governor.
  
  
• Advanced federal advocacy by supporting the bipartisan COACH Act, directing the U.S. SBA to help small child care businesses grow.
  
  

Regulatory Achievements

• Persuaded the Governor to extend the ACCESS Program through September 2024, ensuring providers receive full rates.
  
  
• Influenced DECAL to end single-subject program exemptions, leveling the playing field for licensed providers.
  
  
• Lobbied successfully to extend the Health and Safety Grant deadline so providers could purchase essential equipment.

 2023: Record-Breaking Funding for Georgia’s Early Learning System

Financial Impact

• Achieved $146.5 Million in new early childhood investments, including:
  
  
  • $34.5 Million annual increase for Georgia Pre-K.
    
    
  • $112 Million extension of the CAPS ACCESS Program through September 2024.
    
    
• Raised $74 Million to permanently lift CAPS base rates from the 25th to the 50th percentile, boosting provider reimbursements.
  
  
  • Preserved the ability for providers to charge over the tuition differential above reimbursement rates.
    
    
  • Restored the option for providers to adjust tuition as needed.
    
    
• Delivered Pre-K increases including $2,000 raises for lead and assistant teachers, a 20% operations funding boost to $4,626.56 per classroom, and class size reduction from 22 to 20 without pro-ration.
  
  

Policy Wins for Providers and Families

• Preserved higher CAPS reimbursement rates beyond ACCESS funding.
  
  
• Protected family access to child care subsidies for thousands of Georgia children.
  
  

2022: Strengthening Pay, Rates, and Access

Financial Impact

• Secured $2,000 salary increases for Georgia Pre-K lead and assistant teachers.
  
  
• Delivered $5,000 grants to every Georgia Pre-K classroom in October 2022.
  
  
• Achieved a 7% increase in QR tiered reimbursement rates, resulting in average bonus payments of 19% to providers (funded through October 2024 by ARPA dollars).
  
  

Expanding Access for Families

• Expanded CAPS eligibility to 85% of State Median Income ($24,500 for a family of four), growing the program to serve 60,000 children.
  
  
• Provided $5,000 grants for CAPS age 0–5 classrooms upon QR rerating.
  
  
• Obtained $500 bonuses for CAPS staff upon QR rerating.

Why GCCA Matters

These victories are not accidental. They are the direct result of GCCA’s relentless, organized, and effective advocacy.

When you join GCCA, you add your voice to the strongest coalition fighting for child care businesses in Georgia. You gain access to decisions, resources, and funding that protect your livelihood. You help shape the future of early childhood education in our state.

Be Part of the Movement

We win because we are united. Join GCCA today and let’s keep winning for Georgia’s child care industry.