DECAL leadership visits Wellstar College to highlight impact of two-generation grant

KENNESAW, Ga. | Jun 8, 2026

Members of the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) leadership team visited Wellstar College at Kennesaw State University (KSU) on June 8, 2026, as part of statewide site visits to Community Impact Grant sites. The visit showcased Wellstar College’s Children and Family Program (CFP) and its innovative approach to supporting student parents by way of the Two- Generation (2Gen) Innovation Grant.

KSU is one of only three organizations in Georgia awarded funding through DECAL’s Community Innovation Grants initiative. The $75,000, two-year grant supports the expansion of CFP’s 2Gen strategy, which simultaneously advancing the academic success of student parents and the wellbeing of their children. Funding has enhanced outreach, marketing, and community partnership efforts, connecting more student parents with critical resources and support services.

The site visit, held at Prillaman Hall, brought together university leaders, grant partners and student parents. Wellstar College Interim Dean Dr. Laurie Tis opened the event and introduced Allison Garefino, CFP clinical director , who presented an overview of the program and grant outcomes.

“With this grant, we are strengthening community among student parents and expanding access to resources,” said Garefino. “Initiatives, such as parent cafés, create meaningful opportunities for connection and peer support, helping participants realize they are not alone.”

Due to the support of the grant, Children and Family Programs has demonstrated measurable impact across the KSU campus community:

Student-parent engagement increased by 18%.
The D2L resource community grew from 133 to 154 members.
More than 70 events have been delivered.
Dozens of children have participated in afterschool programs and library story times.
Expanded partnerships, including collaboration with the Cobb Collaborative.
Program offerings reflect a comprehensive, family-centered approach and include parent cafés, Triple P seminars on topics such as Raising Resilient Children and The Power of Positive Parenting, library story times promoting early literacy and positive interactions, and student-parent initiatives such as virtual drop-ins and caregiver meet-and-greets. The program has also introduced trauma-informed care microcredentials into its curriculum.

Throughout the visit, student parents and community partners shared their experiences, highlighting the importance of partnerships and the positive changes achieved through the program. Discussion with DECAL leadership focused on program successes and strategies for sustainability beyond the grant period.

KSU’s Children and Family Program continues to serve as a model for how higher education institutions and community partnerships can drive meaningful impact by supporting both parents and children.