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GEEARS is a nonprofit organization operating to inspire and provide leadership for a statewide movement on quality early learning and healthy development for all children ages birth through five.
GEEARS was established in 2010 to help business, civic and government leaders maximize the economic return on the state’s investments in early care and learning.
Check out GEEARS’ One Pager to learn more about how we advocate for Georgia’s youngest children.
To ensure that all Georgia’s children, birth to age five, thrive by championing research-backed policies and investments, fostering collaboration, and leading a statewide movement to advance public will.
Every child has a strong early foundation to reach their full potential.
GEEARS is an independent successor group to the United Way’s Early Education Commission chaired by Dennis Lockhart, the Head of the Federal Reserve of Atlanta and Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, the President Emerita of Spelman College.

First Five Forum: Building Systems with Empathy for Georgia's Youngest Children

Annual Luncheon Featuring Six-Time Olympic Medalist Elana Meyers Taylor

Annual Luncheon

Annual Luncheon: Support Georgia's Children and Families

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Newsletter Archive

Daisy Days And DeKalb CEO Pledges A Quarter Million To Lyon Farm

Perceptions of School Readiness in Georgia

Opportunities Lost

Elana Meyers Taylor Inspired Early Childhood Investment at our 2026 Annual Luncheon

Press Release: GEEARS Honors Georgia Early Childhood Leaders and Raises Nearly $100,000 to Advance Its Mission

Anyone Can Be a Changemaker: The 2026 Early Childhood Changemaker Summit

Quality is the Best Investment—A Head Start Provider’s Perspective on the NPRM

The Community Quarterback: How Atlanta Is Building an Early Learning Ecosystem

Official Statement: Georgia’s Youngest Children Depend on their Communities to Keep Them Safe from Preventable Disease

Your Ticket to Our Annual Luncheon is an Investment in Georgia’s Youngest Children

GEEARS - Official Statement

The Growing Number of Young Georgians Experiencing Homelessness Need our Support

Geears Annual Report 2025 2026

Georgia Child and Health Advocacy Organizations Call for Action to Reduce Coverage Losses Among Young Children

Geears Annual Report 2024 2025

Geears Annual Report 2023 2024

Geears Annual Report 2022 2023

Geears Annual Report 2021 2022

Geears Annual Report 2020

Geears Annual Report 2019

Childcare Analysis for Metro Atlanta

2018 Annual Report

2017 Annual Report

Kristin Bernhard

Dawan Barfield

Greg Barrett

Ethel Bynum

Lisa Dwyer

Gbemi Famule

Hanah Goldberg

Shawnell Johnson

Makhia Williams

Jessica Woltjen

Liz Blake

Dr. Stan Sonu can make an eloquent case for employing empathy in the systems that serve young children and families. He can also sink a half-court shot! Dr. Sonu’s keynote probably won’t feature any cool basketball moves, but it WILL be an inspiring call to action for all who care about the well-being and outcomes of Georgia’s youngest children. To see this renaissance man in action, attend our First Five Forum on December 3rd. Link in bio.

Georgia voters have spoken! Are you curious where our state’s newly elected leaders stand on early childhood issues? Check out GEEARS’ 2026 Candidate Questionnaire, where 120 candidates shared their early childhood priorities. And there’s more! Watch a recording of our Early Childhood Candidate Forum, where Georgia's governor-elect, lieutenant governor-elect, and state school superintendent-elect shared their visions for Georgia’s youngest children. Link in bio.

In his amazing TEDx Talk, Dr. Stan Sonu blew minds by asking, not “What’s wrong with you?” but “What’s happened to you?” We can’t wait for Dr. Sonu to share his ideas with the GEEARS community about incorporating empathy into healthcare and other systems. Lunch and parking are included in this December 3rd event. Click the link in our bio to register today!

Your vote is Everleigh’s voice! Use GEEARS’ comprehensive, non-partisan Voter Guide to make sure you know your polling location and you’re well-informed about the early childhood issues at stake. Click the link in our bio for the Guide.

What have Georgia’s likely voters and candidates told us about their early childhood priorities? Read our latest newsletter to find out! We also invite you to a compelling event, announce important new research, and kick off holiday shopping that supports GEEARS! Click the post in our bio.

William and Thomas want YOU to vote early, just like their parents did in Marietta! Today is the last day of early voting so seize this opportunity. If you want to make informed choices that center our state’s youngest children, consult GEEARS’ 2026 Candidate Questionnaire, where more than 115 Georgia candidates told us about their early childhood priorities. Our Guide is full of other voting resources as well! Click the link in our bio to check it out today.

If your work impacts families, the First Five Forum is for you! On December 3rd, our lunchtime event will feature pediatrician, Stan Sonu, and a panel of experts, all exploring how empathy can transform the systems families rely on every day. Your $20 ticket also includes a plated lunch and free parking! Registration closes on November 20th so secure your seat today! Click the post in our bio.

This morning, GEEARS’ CEO Kristin Bernhard sat down with WXIA’s Dan Kennedy to chat about the election! They explored why voting for candidates who’ll support young children and families is so critical for our state’s future. Kristin pointed out that GEEARS’ Georgia Voter Guide on Early Childhood will support YOU as you make your choices and secure your vote. Click the link in our bio to watch this charming and substantive interview.

The final weeks of election season are incredibly busy, yet nearly 40 candidates and campaign staff for state and federal office carved out time to attend GEEARS’ briefings, which culminated yesterday with an overview of our likely voter poll! Their presence showed that candidates and elected officials care deeply about our youngest children—and see a strong connection between their well-being and the success of our workforce and economy. In that, they are aligned with the respondents to our likely voter poll, who overwhelmingly favor government supports for working families. Many thanks to our bipartisan pollsters who conducted the briefing—Jay Campbell of Hart Research and Lori Weigel of New Bridge Strategy. And thank you to all who attended the briefings!

If you're a voter, you're a changemaker. And if you inspire those around you—from your spouse to your MARTA seatmate—to prioritize Georgia’s youngest children at the polls, there’s no telling how far your contribution will travel! Early Childhood Changemaker, Denise Cambridge, shares her get-out-the-vote magic in our latest @Saportareport column. Click the link in our bio.

GEEARS’ Georgia Voter Guide on Early Childhood highlights the critical issues affecting our state’s youngest children and shows how YOU can make a difference. Use the Guide to learn more about the ways public policy decisions affect little ones and their families, engage candidates, and cast informed ballots. Link in bio.

GEEARS has submitted public comments on proposed changes to Head Start! More than 20,000 Georgia children are served by Head Start and Early Head Start, which provide early learning alongside critical health, nutrition, disability, and family supports. During the public comment period, which closed October 6th, GEEARS raised concerns about sweeping proposed changes to Head Start standards, including changes to teacher-child ratios, developmental screenings, supports for children with disabilities, and more. Our message: Reducing unnecessary administrative burden is important, but streamlining should make it easier for programs to serve children and families—not weaken what makes Head Start work. Our comments incorporated feedback from Georgia Head Start leaders and highlighted opportunities to reduce administrative burden while protecting program quality. Thank you to everyone who submitted comments, shared their experiences, and advocated for a strong Head Start!

We're hiring! GEEARS is recruiting to fill a rare leadership vacancy—a Vice President, Marketing & Communications. Are you the strategic leader who can help us think bigger, communicate more clearly, and build greater visibility and influence across Georgia? Learn more about us and the role and apply at the link in our bio!

Today, GEEARS staffers fanned out around the state to support Head Start! We loved watching @congressmanblair read stories to an adoring crowd of four-year-olds at McIntosh Early Learning in Newton County. And at Enrichment Services Program in Columbus, our Early Childhood Changemakers, along with parents and teachers, led local, state, and federal leaders on a tour of the program. Among the elected officials who attended were @repsanfordbishop and @teddyreese06. Thank you to all who contributed to these site visits, which highlighted the critical importance (and joy!) of Head Start. You can support Head Start, too—and it only takes a few minutes! TODAY is the deadline to weigh in on sweeping changes proposed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that could weaken the quality and comprehensive services that make Head Start work for children and families. Comments can be short, and every voice matters. Check out the resources in our bio to submit yours today. #ProtectHeadStart

Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, participate, and fully belong. Head Start provides critical services to Georgia children with disabilities, with standards designed to support inclusion, accommodations, coordination with families and specialists, and children's full participation in their classrooms. A new federal proposal to overhaul Head Start would eliminate several of these specific requirements. For many Georgia children with disabilities, Head Start is where inclusion starts. Let's protect what makes that inclusion possible. Today is the last day to submit a public comment. Click the link in our bio to make your voice heard. #ProtectHeadStart

When a young child is struggling, Head Start responds with support—not exclusion. Head Start's current standards prohibit expulsion because of a child's behavior and tightly limit suspension, instead emphasizing family engagement, mental health supports, and other ways to help children succeed. A new federal proposal to overhaul Head Start would remove these protections. Young children deserve support to stay, learn, and thrive in their classrooms. Visit the link in our bio to take action. #ProtectHeadStart

Our Early Childhood Candidate Forum on Tuesday was a resounding success, attracting a robust audience, key candidates for statewide office, and the compelling results of our likely voter poll! Thank you to the candidates who shared their plans to support young Georgians and their families: Gubernatorial candidates @rickjacksonga (via video) and @keishaforga, Lieutenant Governor candidate @josh__mclaurin, and State School Superintendent candidates Richard Woods and @votedrlydiapowell. Click the link in our bio for a recording of the entire forum.

What makes Head Start Head Start? As these child care providers from around the state shared with us, this venerable, two-gen program meets families’ needs in myriad ways. Yet proposed changes could make Head Start less effective. Click the link in our bio to learn more and lift your voice during the public comment period, which ends on October 6th.

A new federal proposal to overhaul Head Start would require instruction to be conducted in English, replacing current standards that allow programs to support children’s development in both English and their home language. Research shows that young dual language learners learn best when educators build on the language they already know as they learn English. Supporting a child’s home language doesn’t slow English acquisition—it can actually help children learn English more quickly while strengthening their overall learning and development. Head Start educators should be able to use evidence-based practices that help every child thrive. Visit the link in our bio to take action. #ProtectHeadStart

For so many of our Annual Luncheon’s 200+ attendees yesterday, the pursuit of a Georgia in which every young child can thrive is personal. The same was true for our sparkling keynote speaker, Olympic gold medalist Elana Meyers Taylor. Her two young sons, who have disabilities, are her biggest motivators, she told 11Alive. “But it’s also about them being able to reach their own opportunities, and programs like GEEARS are the same types of programs that they use in order to get the resources they need; in order to be the people who they need to be.” If you’re as inspired by GEEARS as Elana and the sponsors and guests who contributed more than $140,000 to this event, click the link in our bio to donate!

Today’s Annual Luncheon was moving, inspiring, and a LOT of fun, thanks to attendees who brought to the event their passion, commitment, and appetites! We’re incredibly grateful to our Luncheon sponsors and partners, our powerful keynote speaker, @elanameyerstaylor, and the early childhood heroes who received awards. Couldn’t make it? No worries! You can still contribute to GEEARS’ mission for Georgia’s youngest kids. Click the link in our bio.

In Georgia alone, 14,817 Head Start parents are employed, in school, or participating in job training. But a new federal proposal to overhaul Head Start could allow some programs to operate for as little as three hours per day—hours that simply don't work for many working families. A shorter Head Start day could leave parents scrambling to find additional child care, rearrange work schedules, or choose between work and care. Visit the link in our bio to take action. #ProtectHeadStart

Today is National Voter Registration Day! Make sure you don’t miss the opportunity to choose the candidates who prioritize Georgia’s youngest children. Click the link in our bio to (quickly and easily!) register, update your registration, or check your status.

GEEARS, along with researchers in Mississippi and Missouri, co-authored this important rural child care study. We’re grateful for the support of the @southernedfound. Click the link in our bio to check out the report!

Today is the day! Ticket sales to our Annual Luncheon close tonight. We want you by our side as we honor early childhood heroes, hear from Olympic gold medalist, @elanameyerstaylor, and most importantly, raise funds for GEEARS’ early childhood mission. There are just a few seats left—seize the moment and join us! Click the link in our bio.

Tomorrow is your last chance to snag a seat at GEEARS’ Annual Luncheon. Act now to help us build a Georgia where every young child has access to the education, healthcare, and family supports they need to thrive! Click the link in our bio.

The most important advocacy comes from those directly affected by policies and systems. So, to weigh in on the potential Head Start changes in the recent federal Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, we asked provider Belva Dorsey-Mott to author our latest @SaportaReport column. She highlights the essential investments—not extras!—that “make Head Start Head Start.” Click the link in bio to read.

Check out GEEARS’ latest newsletter to find out why you should definitely attend our September 17th luncheon. You’ll also learn how to support Head Start using GEEARS’ Action Alert, celebrate the Early Childhood Changemakers, and more! Click the link in our bio to read.

Earlier this week, Early Childhood Changemakers from all over Georgia traveled to an Atlanta summit to learn, collaborate, and celebrate the fabulous first year of this GEEARS initiative. Keynote speaker @michaelbonner_ urged the Changemakers to be “crazy and consistent” in their community leadership and advocacy. And at partner-led learning sessions, they collected tools, data, stories, and techniques to continue their development back in their hometowns of Athens, Augusta, Columbus, Dublin, Gainesville, Rome, and Statesboro.

September 17th is coming fast, but it’s not too late to join us as we honor these partners, learn from keynote speaker, @elanameyerstaylor, and most of all, express our gratitude for your support. Ticket sales end next Wednesday, September 9th. Click the link in our bio to attend this amazing event!

A federal proposal could weaken Head Start, one of Georgia’s most important sources of early care, education, and family supports. Our state’s youngest children need us to stand up for them! Use GEEARS’ Action Alert to urge your members of Congress to act NOW to protect the core elements of Head Start. Click the link in our bio to access the action alert.

Family-friendly is business-friendly. The Georgia Chamber Foundation is a valued partner in helping GEEARS promote this idea to workforce leaders and we’re thrilled to honor their contribution at our Annual Luncheon on September 17th. Please join us as we present the Foundation with the Early Childhood Community Partner Award! Click the link in our bio to register.

Today, we at GEEARS are mourning Dolly Parton’s passing and feeling tremendous gratitude for the many gifts she gave the world—including her spectacular investment in early literacy. For the past 31 years, Dolly’s Imagination Library has mailed free, high-quality books to more than 300 million children, ages birth through five. “The seeds of dreams are found in books,” she said. “And the seeds you help plant in your community can grow across the world.” We agree wholeheartedly. Thank you, Dolly. Your care for young children, and your wisdom about the value of early literacy, has truly changed the world. ♥️

For more than 15 years, GEEARS has been making advances for Georgia families. You can be a part of that impact by attending or sponsoring our Annual Luncheon! Click the link in our bio to learn more.

GEEARS is working for a Georgia in which our youngest children can learn and develop in good health from the day that they’re born. You can contribute to this essential mission by attending GEEARS’ Annual Luncheon! Click the link in our bio to attend or sponsor this amazing event!

Liz Blake has been a steadfast champion of GEEARS, supporting our work through generous philanthropy, strategic partnership, and a shared commitment to helping children and families thrive. On September 17th, we are proud to honor her with the Early Childhood Champion Award at our annual luncheon. Join us in celebrating this exceptional philanthropist by clicking the link in our bio.

Yesterday, the federal administration released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking containing major potential revisions to the Head Start Program Performance Standards. As we enter the NPRM’s 60-day public comment period (during which nothing will change for Head Start programs) GEEARS' advocates are hitting the ground running. We’re reviewing the document and engaging closely with Georgia Head Start grantees, as well as our policy and advocacy partners across the state. Click the link in our bio to see GEEARS’ statement and please stay tuned for advocacy opportunities.

GEEARS’ advocacy for Georgia’s youngest children and families does more than make their lives more livable. It also helps our state’s economy and strengthens our present and future workforce. Attending or sponsoring our Annual Luncheon makes YOU a part of our essential mission. Click the link in our bio to reserve your seat at the table!

GEEARS was well represented at the @gachamber1915's Congressional Luncheon this week, joining more than 2,000 business leaders, elected officials, and community champions from across the state. We're proud to be part of the conversation shaping Georgia's future!

Within the next week, the US Senate is expected to vote on a farm bill that could weaken the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). 1 in 8 Georgians—including more than 200,000 children under age 5—rely on SNAP to put food on their tables. SNAP is especially critical for our infants and toddlers, who need regular, healthy meals to support their well-being and development. Use GEEARS’ action alert to contact your senators TODAY. Ask them to ensure that the Farm Bill protects and strengthens SNAP, not weakens it. Click the link in our bio to access the action alert.

Safe, modern, high-quality child care facilities help children learn, support working families, and strengthen local economies. Over the coming weeks, we'll share stories from providers across Georgia who show us that investing in child care facilities is an investment in our state's future. #BuildUpGA #GaNeedsChildCare

Check out our newsletter for the latest on our Annual Luncheon, a site visit with Representative Lucy McBath to support student parents, and thoughts on GEEARS’ summer holiday policy. Click the link in our bio to read!

Award Alert! When the fall 2025 federal government shutdown delayed the disbursement of many Head Start grants, GEEARS jumped into action with our partners @sheltering_arms, the @atlantaymca, and @eastersealsnga. Together, we secured an $8M bridge loan that kept classroom doors open for more than 6,500 Georgia children! GEEARS will be thrilled to present this trio with our Early Childhood Advocate Award at our Annual Luncheon on September 17th. Join us in honoring them by clicking the link in our bio!

On Monday, GEEARS hosted @replucymcbath at the @atltechcollege Early Education Center—a @paactatl partner and Repair & Renovation grantee—for a discussion about supporting student parents. From affordable child care to federal programs like CCAMPIS, the right supports can help student parents stay in school, earn a degree, and strengthen Georgia's future workforce. Thank you to our Georgia Infant-Toddler Coalition partners, @qccgeorgia, for partnering with us on this meaningful conversation.

It’s #FlashbackFriday and we’re reminiscing about GEEARS’ 9th annual Strolling Thunder, the wintry day when more than 100 Georgia families brought their tiny advocates to meet their elected officials under the Gold Dome. You can support GEEARS programming like this by attending or sponsoring our Annual Luncheon on September 17th. Learn all about this event—keynoted by Olympic gold medalist @elanameyerstaylor—by clicking the link in our bio.

The benefits of high-quality child care, strong family supports, food security, and a stable home can reverberate through a child’s future. When you support GEEARS by attending or sponsoring our Annual Luncheon, you help position early childhood as a defining priority for Georgia. Click the link in our bio to buy tickets or sponsorships!

We're very excited to join @gpbmedia for a @msrc_atl event at @thehappyblackparent Children's Book Festival! Join us for the free and upROARiously fun read-aloud and giveaway of this year's book, "DINOSAUR!"

The keynote speaker at GEEARS’ Annual Luncheon is Olympic bobsledder and Georgia native @elanameyerstaylor, who went viral in Milan when she turned her historic gold medal win into a teaching moment for her two little boys. She’s the perfect match for an event that celebrates our essential mission to ensure Georgia’s youngest children have the support they need to thrive! Click the link in our bio to buy tickets or sponsorships.

According to a Schoolhouse Connection study, the number of very young Georgians experiencing homelessness has risen. In the developmentally critical first five years of life, the adverse childhood experience of homelessness can affect a child’s brain development and future well-being. In our latest @saportareport column, GEEARS’ Greg Barrett raises awareness about this growing issue. As an organization, GEEARS is also stepping up for our advocacy for families with young children experiencing homelessness. Click the link in our bio to read Greg’s piece.

GEEARS is working for a Georgia in which our youngest children can learn and develop in good health from the day that they’re born. You can contribute to this essential mission by attending GEEARS’ Annual Luncheon, keynoted by Olympic gold medalist, @elanameyerstaylor! Click the link in our bio to learn more and purchase tickets or a sponsorship.

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