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.

Story and photo by Lisa Walker

Pictured back row, left to right:
Esha Singh CFP GRA and student parent
Jill Taylor, Director of Community Partnerships and 2Gen Outreach
Liz Young, Director of Government Relations and Special Projects
Michael Rodgers, Director of Finance
Allison Garefino, Clinical Director of Children and Family Programs
Amy Jacobs, Commissioner
Reg Griffin, Chief Communications Officer
Christi Moore, Director of Workforce Supports & Learning
Veronica Thomas, Director of Practice and Support Services
Eric Arneson, VP of Student Affairs KSU

Pictured front row, left to right:
April Rogers, Director of Enforcement Operations
Alison Nyarko Director of Early Childhood Programs Cobb Collaborative
Kasey McComas, recent MSW graduate and former GRA and intern with CFP
Lauren Padgett, Executive Director CARE Services KSU
Bridgette Washington-Collier, Early Education Community Partnership Coordinator -Central West Region

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 51,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.