GCCA Board of Directors Issues Statement Requesting Immediate Temporary Relief During Georgia's Background Check Transition

The Georgia Child Care Association (GCCA) is the statewide association representing licensed child care providers who serve tens of thousands of Georgia's children and families. The GCCA Board of Directors fully supports comprehensive criminal background checks and every effort to strengthen protections for Georgia's children.

Since Georgia's new background check requirements took effect on July 1, GCCA has been in continuous communication with child care providers across the state, leadership from the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL), the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), members of the Governor's Office, the Georgia General Assembly, and other stakeholders. We have met directly with GBI leadership and appreciate the many public servants who have worked diligently to answer questions and assist providers during this transition.

Despite these efforts, licensed child care providers remain unable to hire qualified employees because they cannot initiate required background checks until they receive a GAPS number. Many providers have completed every step within their control but remain unable to move forward. The result is an unintended hiring freeze during the busiest staffing season of the year, placing classrooms, children's access to care, and the stability of licensed child care programs at risk.

The GCCA Board of Directors respectfully requests immediate temporary relief that allows licensed child care providers to continue initiating criminal background checks under the existing process while GAPS registrations are completed or another legally permissible transition process is implemented.

In addition, we respectfully request:

• Additional personnel and resources to accelerate application processing.
• Increased coordination among DECAL, GBI, IDEMIA, and other partners.
• Clear, consistent statewide communication regarding timelines, requirements, and next steps.

Georgia's licensed child care providers are not asking for lower standards. We are asking for a practical transition that protects children while ensuring programs can continue serving families without unnecessary disruption.

Child care is essential infrastructure for Georgia's workforce. Every day this transition continues without relief affects children, working families, employers, and the communities that depend on licensed child care.

The Georgia Child Care Association remains committed to partnering with state leaders to support a successful implementation of these important safety measures. We respectfully urge immediate action to ensure continuity of care while this transition is completed.

Adopted by the Board of Directors of the Georgia Child Care Association

This statement reflects the unanimous position of the Georgia Child Care Association Board of Directors.

Board of Directors:
Ashleigh Bailey, Sandi Bennett, Latresse Bray, Jennifer Carpenter, Cindy Foster, Brittany Haines, Courtney May, Danielle Millman, Andrea Moore, Julie Morin, Julie Newman, Cheryl Odom, Jennifer Paschal, Laukik Patel, Mindy Pohl, Michelle Smith Lank, Sasha Vinson, Jane Vlahos, Jennifer Williams, Keisha Wynn