Media release from the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning:
The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) has launched a new family portal called DECAL FAST: Family Access to Services & Tools to support Georgia’s families looking for child care or early education services.
This new portal offers families a more intuitive experience, making it easier for them to find information and connect with early care and education services, tools, and resources. A key feature of the portal is CALi, an AI chatbot, that will help families self navigate through the portal and quickly find the information they need. CALi will provide timely, intuitive support that will make DECAL resources more accessible, easy to find, and user centered.
“DECAL works continually to make our programs, services, and tools easy for families to find and use,” said DECAL Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs. “DECAL FAST uses cutting edge technology to ensure that families across the state can find the best solutions for their early care and education needs.”
The portal was tested by DECAL staff and by DECAL Family Peer Ambassadors led by Child and Family Development Outreach Manager Bridget Ratajczak. Their involvement provided authentic, user-driven feedback to ensure that the portal meets the needs, supports, and expectations of the families we serve.
“We are so grateful for the feedback on the design and content that our DECAL Family Peer Ambassadors provided,” Ratajczak said. “Their input was a critical part of the design and testing process, providing family voice and ensuring that the portal is accessible to and meets the needs of families across Georgia.”
DECAL FAST is fully ADA compliant and accessible for all users including those who use screen readers or have other vision challenges. Language used in the portal has been intentionally simplified, and the design ensures easy and intuitive use on mobile devices. All content, except legal information, is also available in Spanish.
DECAL FAST is accessible through families.decal.ga.gov and through the Families and Find Quality Rated links on the DECAL website, www.decal.ga.gov.
Comments