2015 Success Book - Early Years Network

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EYN helps child care center
achieve the calm after the storm
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Compiled & Edited: Amy Barefield, Karen Crow, Brandi Burton
and Elizabeth Thorne
Layout Design: David Doleac
©2015
Quality improvement for the
whole center
5
Family Support
6
Going above and beyond
pays off with 5-Star status
for School-Age program
7
Special Needs
9
EYN Family provider first
to complete In-Home Child
Development Associate credential
10
Family, Friend, and Neighbor Care
11
Training and Technical Assistance
12
Leadership Development
13
Quality Stars
15
Resource and Referral Centers
16
Stories from the Centers
17
Resource and Referral
Site Map
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Out & About
supports high quality early care and education
experiences for Mississippi’s children
As a one-stop shop, the network provides cohesive education, outreach and services based
on scientific research, established best practices and practical, hands-on approaches across
the state through the following partners: Mississippi State University Extension Service, Dr.
Maxine Harper Center for Educational Research and Evaluation at University of Mississippi,
Early Childhood Institute at Mississippi State University, Institute for Disability Studies at
University of Southern Mississippi, Mississippi Center for Education Innovation, Quality Stars
and Save the Children.
Funded by the Mississippi Department of Human Services, Division of Early Childhood Care
and Development, the Early Years Network provides an array of programs and services to
support continuous quality improvement.
EDUCATE • CONNECT • SUPPORT
Training and Technical Assistance, Professional Development, Quality Stars, School-Age,
Community Involvement, Family Support, Allies, Family, Friend and Neighbor Care,
Resource and Referral Sites, Disaster Relief, Educational Materials, Special Needs
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Allies for Quality Care is a research program
addressing the programmatic needs of
child care centers through evaluation and
intense technical assistance. This program
provides assistance to participating centers
to improve the learning environment in
each classroom, improve the nutritional
quality of food provided to children, and
develop an operating budget for the center.
Gwendetta McField and her husband, owners and director of Little Blessings from
Heaven in Terry, have seen significant improvements in each area of their program
since enrolling in the Allies project.
Little Blessings from Heaven currently serves 120 families and has a waiting
list. McField is grateful for the opportunity to work with the Allies program and
appreciates the materials the center has earned.
All of the center’s teachers have benefitted from working with Allies staff.
However, McField has been most surprised by the business trainings. “Before
Allies, we were only taking in what was needed, but with Mr. (William) Brown’s
assistance, I was able to recognize that not only are we providing a service, but
also running a business,” said McField. Parents have continued their support of
McField and the Little Blessings from Heaven despite an increase in tuition.
McField has also been impressed with the increase of parental involvement after the
center began participating in the Allies program. Attendance at parent meetings has
grown to standing room only and parents are now excited to attend the meetings.
“Parents are the best advertisement for Little Blessings from Heaven, and I appreciate
their involvement,” said McField.
• 6,799 Technical Assistance hours
• Worked in 17 centers
Family Support is available to families in Mississippi with
children from birth to age 12. Children and families are
connected to services in the community to create a support
system when they enroll in the program. Family Support
promotes high-quality early educational experiences by educating
parents on developmentally appropriate practices for their child.
Through parent training, Family Support lessons focus on a variety
of topics for guardians such as discipline, age-appropriate behaviors
and expectations, and positive parenting strategies. Over 65% of
participating parents and guardians showed an increase in these areas.
Other topics included are school readiness and family communication.
Parent training can be face-to-face or in group settings. Both formats
allow parents and guardians a safe space to ask the trained facilitator
questions.
Family Support also offers examples of educational materials at a
variety of events. Age-based fact sheets, books, games, jump ropes or
other age-appropriate educational materials that may be given provide
opportunities for caregivers and children to interact, discuss new
things, and provide ideas of what is developmentally appropriate for
each stage of a child’s life.
• 462 Parent Education programs
• 1,522 Parent Education participants
• 714 Parenting Technical Assistance lessons delivered
• 121 Newborn Baby Bags distributed
Helping one another develop
Family Rules
Parents receive useful and
needed gifts after a visit from MS
SIDS and Infant Safety Alliance
“The hands-on learning activities incorporated into the trainings are good learning experiences.”
- foster parent
“We had over 40 foster parents attend a training in August, one of the highest turnouts since I’ve been working with the agency. It is beneficial to have access to local trainings in rural areas.”
- Denise Seales, Adoption Specialist with Neshoba county division of Family and Children’s Services.
Some of the first TANF
participants to complete
program and receive their
certificates
This year, the Early Years Network (EYN) and the
School-Age Quality Rating and Improvement System
(QRIS) celebrated the first 5-Star rated school-age
program in Mississippi. Kiddie Kollege in Forest
achieved the top rating in December, 2014.
The center currently serves 50 children and has been
enrolled in the Quality Stars program for two years.
“The staff of Kiddie Kollege are dedicated to the
children they care for,” said Tara Dickerson, field
technical assistant with EYN. “Janice Reed, the
owner and director, and Georgia Lewis, the schoolage teacher, are always willing to take any steps
necessary to improve their program. They go above
and beyond to provide the best care possible for
their children and families.”
Technical assistance and many training hours
provided by EYN were completed by the staff of
Kiddie Kollege. “The Early Years Network provided
materials and set up the classroom for our afterschool
program,” said Reed. “Tara and Kristen were very
dedicated while working with us to achieve this goal.”
“It was a pleasure to work with the staff as they
pursued resources and professional development to
enrich their program,” said Kristen Callahan of EYN.
“They love their children and strive to reach the
highest level of quality.”
As the first school-age program in the state to
achieve the coveted 5-star status, lead teacher Lewis
states, “Our goal is to maintain our School-Age QRIS
5-Star standing.”
The importance of quality school-age care for future
academic success of Mississippi’s children cannot
be overstated, and EYN is excited to share in the
success of Kiddie Kollege!
As part of the network, the Institute for Disability
Studies located at the University of Southern
Mississippi provides training, on-site technical
assistance and an early childhood inclusion
program to early childhood providers and
educators who serve young children with
special needs or who are at-risk for later developmental delays.
Throughout the year, EYN: SN provided 716 technical assistant hours
and made 431 technical assistant visits to licensed childcare centers throughout
Mississippi. Additionally, EYN: SN conducted 120 developmental screenings
throughout Mississippi. Developmental screenings were offered to families in a
variety of ways: statewide screening days, parent requests and opportunities at
early childcare centers which offered the service to families. Screenings led to 141
navigation hours of service to families offered by EYN: SN.
Parent Navigation and the Early Years Network Special Needs Credential
prove to be a successful team
This past year, Early Years Network: Special Needs had the opportunity to support a family and a teacher through
Parent Navigation and the Early Years Network Special Needs Credential.
Myrna McCullum is a lead teacher at The University of Southern Mississippi’s Center for Child Development (USM
CCD), a NAEYC accredited 5-star center. McCullum’s class consists of 12 two- and three-year-olds, including two
children with special needs.
Alexander, a three-year-old boy with Autism, is one of her students. When Alexander entered
her classroom this spring, McCullum felt prepared to include him because she was enrolled in
the Early Years Network Special Needs Credential.
“When Alexander first came to my classroom, he was not able to make eye contact, let others
enter his space, enjoy learning centers or play with peers. But by getting to know him, forming
a relationship with him and including him with typically-developing children, he has made
great progress,” McCullum said.
She recalled three things that really stuck with her after completing the special needs
credential: 1) using first-person language, 2) following his lead to meet his needs and 3) using
sensory opportunities as a way to engage him.
McCullum wanted Alexander to be involved in every aspect of the class and she felt prepared
to make the accommodations throughout daily routines, learning centers and circle time.
“I did not want Alexander to be left in a corner playing by himself,” McCullum said.
Alexander’s mother, Maria, is a full time student at the University of Southern Mississippi. Since Maria was referred to
navigation following Alexander’s diagnosis, EYN: SN has provided navigation services to Maria including educational
supports, resources and referrals for services specific to Alexander’s individual needs.
“When he first got his diagnosis, it didn’t hit me for a month and I didn’t understand
because the doctors were not clear with me. I thought it was my fault,” Maria said.
“Navigation has helped tremendously. When the doctors give you a diagnosis, you
are lost. Dr. Leslie LaVergne gave me guidance, structure and an understanding of
what was out there.”
“Ms. Myrna (McCullum) has been great with including him in the classroom and
pushing him to do more than others would. He was kicked out of his first center
and parents were putting me down. I have learned he just has his own way of
communicating and that is OK,” Maria said.
A 10-hour directors’ training was conducted in the southern and central areas of the state. Nineteen directors
received didactic training and on-site technical assistance on how to implement a developmental screening
program in their early childcare learning centers. After successful completion of the training, directors received
an Ages and Stages Questionnaire, 3rd ed. which can be administered in their learning centers. Furthermore,
EYN: SN provided 123 training hours during 45 trainings that reached 588 participants across the state.
The inclusion program, Early Years Network: Special Needs Credential (EYN: SNC) is a 40-hour
certificate program for childcare directors and preschool teachers that includes
didactic, self-directed learning activities and on-site mentoring. In addition
to serving educators, the project serves parents and children by
conducting developmental screenings, autism specific screenings and
providing on-going support to families throughout the referral process
to various state agencies.
Forty childcare directors and preschool teachers successfully completed
the EYN: SNC; each participant received a $500 stipend upon completion
of the credentialing program. The Inclusive Classroom Profile (ICP) by Elena
P. Soukakou was employed to assess inclusion practices of participants in the
EYN: SNC; participants increased their scores by 13%.
96 Special Needs Requests; 71 SN Requests completed
As the first family-home provider
enrolled in the Early Years Network
scholarship program to complete the
Family-Home Child Development
Associate (CDA) credential, Regina
Hinton, owner of Little Pebbles Child
Care in Hattiesburg, is an inspiration
to other caregivers and child care
advocates across the state.
“Regina is very passionate and
dedicated in her work with young
children,” said Kelly Carmody,
Project Director for the Network.
“She enrolled in the CDA on-line
course and has worked diligently to
complete all CDA requirements.”
“It is a joy to visit Regina,” Carmody
said. “Her enthusiasm for early
childhood education is inspiring.
Regina is a model of quality familyhome child care.”
“Her determination to increase
her knowledge and the quality of
the care she offers while working
full time is what first impressed
me about Regina,” said Adrienne
Mercer, Project Director with the
Early Years Network. “Traditionally,
family-home providers have not
seen the immediate need to go
through the CDA process because
they are smaller, more comfortable
settings,” Mercer said. “The directors
are usually friends or relatives of the
parents of the children they care for,
and sometimes the expectations may
seem more relaxed. Regina saw how
having the credential would benefit
the children.”
“I learned so many important
things about sanitation, CPR and
developmental stages of children,
just to name a few,” Hinton said.
“It was an incentive program and
something that I really felt I wanted
to do, so I pursued it with all I had.
I worked on classes before the kids
came at 6 a.m., during naptime and
before I went to bed. I had lots of
support from family, so I pushed
myself and got it done.” Knowing
she is providing the highest quality
care for children she can has made
the hard work worth it. “I am not just
babysitting; I am teaching these kids
and watching them develop in every
way. I also feel that parents are more
comfortable knowing that they are
leaving their children with someone
that is certified,” Hinton said.
Currently, Little Pebbles Child Care
has five children daily, ranging from
ages 2 to 4 and one after school
child.
“Family-home child care is important
because I am able to give the
children more attention, more oneon-one time and more comfortable
interaction,” Hinton said. “I am just so
grateful for the opportunity I have to
impact these children and know I am
giving them the very best I can.”
As a former director of licensed child care center,
Ms. Faye Collins is now a 5-Star in-home family child
care provider. She is currently pursuing her Master’s
degree in the early childhood field.
Ms. Shinny Moore is one of our 3-Star in-home
providers in the Byram area. She is currently pursuing
her CDA credential through the Family, Friend, and
Neighbor Care project.
Donna McNair is a 5-Star in-home family child care
provider in Pearl, MS. Donna McNair has earned her
CDA through the sponsorship and guidance of the
Family, Friend, and Neighbor Care project.
Katherine Weatherby is 5-Star in-home family child
care provider in Sallis, MS. She has completed her CDA
through the sponsorship and guidance of the Family,
Friend, and Neighbor Care project. Ms. Weatherby’s
in-home family child care provides a much needed
service to the rural Attala county area.
Family, Friend, and Neighbor
Care Training Saves Lives
When fire struck a home in Biloxi during the night,
Latonya Pruitt sprang into action to save five siblings.
The smoke alarm went off and the children went to
Pruitt for help. “They knew when they heard the
sound to go tell an adult, and they did just that,” said
Pruitt.
“The babies. The babies, got to get them out,” was
Pruitt’s immediate thought. Thanks to her quick
thinking, the children ages two months to 8-yearsold were not harmed.
The Family, Friend, and Neighbor Care project staff
look forward to continuing to offer support and
guidance to these outstanding in-home providers. It
has been an honor and a privilege to observe these
providers as they have grown in their knowledge
of providing quality family child care in the state of
Mississippi. Additionaly these four provides attended
the Mississippi Early Childhood Association conference
for the first time that year.
To learn more about the Family, Friend, and Neighbor
Care project please contact the Early Years Network.
We are currently recruiting in-home family child care
providers for our 16th year of serving Mississippi’s
children.
“I have never been in a position to where I had to
think fast and make a quick decision. With all of the
childcare skills and safety I have studied, I’m glad it
was useful in saving someone’s life,” said Pruitt. “I am
just thankful I was able to get the kids out safely.”
Pruitt urges parents to teach children what to do
in dangerous situations such as a house fire. “I will
continue to teach kids about safety involving any
situation,” Pruitt said.
Pruitt credits Field Technical Assistant Norma Hayes
with teaching her the importance of keeping children
in her care safe. “I learned a lot and now I will push
harder with my child care goal. It makes a difference
in someone’s life.”
The Early Years Network offers training and technical assistance on multiple topics related to child care, child
care administration and education. The EYN provides a systematic approach to the training and career
building of early care and education providers emphasizing ELGs, ELSs and many more other pertinent
topics. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are also available upon request.
Training
Distance: 484 trainings; 1,264 hours; 5,780 participants
Face-to-face: 1,559 trainings; 3,463 hours; 26,514 participants
Technical Assistance
Over 6,000 hours of technical assistance given to licensed centers
Over 2,000 hours of technical assistance given to in-home providers
Training and Technical Assistance: Knowledgeable, Supportive Friends
When the First Baptist Gautier Childcare Center was beginning a new chapter in the aftermath of Hurricane
Katrina, Director Kim Ord sought help from what was then the MSCCR&R.
“Including infants and toddlers to current program was a big transition. I contacted the Resource and Referral
Network to get some insight on what was needed to create a successful quality program,” said Ord.
Ord is quick to tell others about the benefits of receiving training and technical assistance for the past
decade. “I have truly enjoyed working with the knowledgeable staff at the EYN. They have a vast assortment
of resources that are very beneficial to child care programs to improve their classroom environment. We
also have a great open line of communication with the EYN staff. They are always available to answer
questions and give direction when an issue arises. We have used their expertise often when trying to create
better classrooms for our children,” said Ord.
Ord also describes training sessions from knowledgeable EYN trainers as fun and informative. “My staff has
been able to replicate many of the ideas that they learn from EYN Staff Training in their classrooms,” said Ord.
There have also been unexpected benefits of receiving training and technical assistance. “Through the years
my staff and I have come to know our local EYN staff very well. We trust their opinions and have a great
working relationship. They are available whenever we need them and have helped us work through some
growth issues without feeling too many pains. We truly enjoy working with our local EYN staff,” said Ord.
Ord would recommend that all early care and education centers take the opportunity to work with the EYN
trainers and technical assistants. “They are willing to come and give an expert opinion on what changes
should be made and what sequences work and what won’t work. They can come in with a fresh approach and
unbiased view of what it takes to make each classroom more productive,” said Ord.
Leadership development opportunities offered through the EYN include the Mississippi Director’s Credential,
National Director’s Credential, Child Development Associate Credential and credentialing in areas of Special
Needs and Professional School-Age. Online and face-to-face options are available when possible.
Leadership Development
40 Special Needs Credentials completed
42 National Director’s Credentials completed
25 Mississippi Director’s Credentials completed online
105 Mississippi Director’s Credentials completed face-to-face
210 Child Development Associate (CDA) Credentials completed
New! Online Professional School-Age Credential began in October, 2015
Stephanie Longale recently completed the Mississippi Director’s Credential while serving as a family-home
provider in Cleveland, Mississippi, and has worked in early childhood care for 15 years.
Since completing the credential, she has taken other steps to open her own child care facility by February
2017. Ms. Longale hopes to serve 100 families of children age 6 weeks to 4 years.
Through the Mississippi Director’s Credential, Ms. Longale learned how to select employees that will fit the
mission of the child care facility and how to properly direct a center and adhere to state requirements.
Ms. Longale was able to juggle a job and family responsibilities while completing the credential process
since it was available in a hybrid format. The course work is online and participants meet once a month for
a cohort meeting with their mentor and classmates.
“I was able to complete the modules on my own time before deadlines. I was very dedicated to it, because
the more time I spent and the more focus I had, the more I was going to get out of the credential program,”
Longale said. “Anna Hughes was always available and did anything she could to help.”
Ms. Longale has also been able to meet and network with other early childhood professionals because of
the program. She plans to continue taking advantage of the services offered by the Early Years Network as
she begins her business and to promote quality care in her center.
One of the EYN’s featured programs is Quality Stars, Mississippi’s tiered quality rating and improvement system. It
is administered by the Early Childhood Institute. The system rates participating early care and education programs
according to the quality of the programs in areas of administrative policy, professional development, learning
environments, parent involvement and evaluation. Currently 576 centers are enrolled in Quality Stars.
Each month, Quality Stars selects a provider of the month to celebrate the increasing quality of child care around the
state. This year’s spotlighted providers are as follows:
October - Nancy Turk of Creative Learning Center in Biloxi
November - Jmelba Thompson of Pickett Street Learning Center in Greenville
December - Etheldra Haynie of Dewberry Day Care in Batesville
January - Pamela Jones of MGCCC-JD Early Childhood Education Facility in Gulfport, Lisa Hudgins of MGCCC Center for Child Development in Gautier, Sarah Nix of MGCCC Center for Child Development in Perkinston
February - Emma Bell of Heavenly Angels in Port Gibson
March - Celia Ward of Little Angels Day Care in Moorhead
April - Glenda Bonds of Sanderson Farms, Inc., Child Care Center in Collins
May - Linda Chism, Ph.D., of MITI Kids Child Care and Learning Center in Horn Lake
June - Thelma Harden of The Christian Learning Center in Madison
July - Christi Littlejohn of the Kangaroo’s Pouch in Pontotoc
August - Jan Coleman of Hazlehurst United Methodist Church Day Care in Hazlehurst
September - Curley Williams of Children First Learning Development Center in Columbus
Jmelba Thompson became involved in child care about three years ago and immediately started looking for a
curriculum to use for the infant and toddler classes at Pickett Street Learning Center in Greenville. She first heard
of Quality Stars through advertising, called the number and feels she has “been blessed with Quality Stars staff
and technical assistants who enjoy what they do” and provide her and her staff with the tools necessary to “make
it possible to offer the quality care we want to offer to our parents and children.”
“I became involved in Picket Street Learning Center because of my desire to help make a difference in children’s
lives,” Thompson said. “These children are our future, and this is where learning begins.”
Pickett Street Learning Center is currently a 3-Star program. The benefits Thompson feels her center has reaped
from the program are many. The understanding staff, encouraging technical assistance, and plentiful materials
the program has provided have far exceeded expectations.
“We did not know we were going to be blessed with so
many gifts,” Thompson said. “Our child care goals are to
continue to provide the best care, love, understanding
and safe environment for the children we care for,”
Thompson said. “The staff at Pickett Street Learning
Center is always willing, volunteering, communicating
and suggesting ways to make the center better.”
Quality Stars has helped Thompson and her staff get
closer to this goal. She recommends the program to
other centers working to provide quality learning
environments to children in their areas.
“If a center is seeking a program to help improve quality
child care, Quality Stars is it, and it’s free,” Thompson
said.
Pickett Street Learning Center currently has three
classrooms and serves approximately twenty families.
The Early Years Network celebrated the grand opening
of the new Hinds County Resource and Referral center
located at 350 West Woodrow Wilson Avenue in the
Jackson Medical Mall on Thursday, June 25. Part of the
celebration included acceptance of the Community Partner
Award and donation from United Healthcare to support the
Network’s many programs promoting the physical, cognitive and
emotional health of Mississippi’s children.
Determination to improve the lives of children
in the community and a dream of Pearl River
Community College President, William Lewis,
and Brenda Wells, Director of Institutional
Research at PRCC, culminated September
15, 2015, with the ribbon cutting of the
Pearl River Resource and Referral Center
on the PRCC campus.
Dolly Marascalco, past president of the Grenada Chamber of Commerce, presented
the Star Award to Louise Davis, Director of the Early Years Network, and Deborah
Bailey, Chair of the Grenada Community Foundation, at the Grenada Early Learning
Advantage Center on February 23, 2015, for the invaluable contribution the site
and staff make to the children, families and future of the community.
I use the resource center to borrow materials for working with
autistic children. Thanks to the resource center my applied
behavior analysis sessions contain novel items each week which
helps the children stay excited and interested in learning. I have
had wonderful experiences every time I have gone there, and I
recommend any parent take advantage of the amazing resources you
have to offer.
- Nicole Keen, M.A.
The center has been an amazing resource for my family since it opened
here in Grenada. My children and I love going together each week
to pick out books and learning games to do at home. The selection is
impressive, and everything is always so well organized. Checking out
items is fast, easy, and free! As a homeschooling mom, I love that I have
access to the same kind of highly engaging materials that can be found
in schools. Whether we are studying the seasons or community helpers,
mammals or the alphabet, adding or phonics, I can always find books,
games, manipulatives, and resources to help teach and inspire my little
ones. Best of all, my children are never bored during our learning time,
because we always have “new” books and games from the center.
- Amber Diaz, Grenada Early Learning Advantage Center patron
Borrowing materials is easy
You can use one of our 17 resource sites if you meet the following
requirements:
• You must be 18 years of age or older.
• You must complete an application and provide
identification.
For the two-week check out period, you can borrow up to
four toys and two resource items at a time. Selection varies
by site but each has hundreds of items available.
We are statewide!
The Mobile Resource & Referral Service provides educational
books and resources for check out to parents, early care and
education providers and community members who are more
than 50 miles from the nearest MSCCR&R site.
CENTER FOR FAMILIES
AND CHILDREN
201 West Central Avenue
Petal | 601-584-4704
CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI
175 N Union Street
Canton | 601-859-9730
COPIAH-LINCOLN
COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Redd Watkins Vo-Tech Bldg.
30 Campus Drive
Natchez | 601-446-1270
EAST CENTRAL
COMMUNITY COLLEGE
513 10th Street, ADNC Building
Decatur | 601-635-3986
EARLY YEARS NETWORK
RESOURCE CENTER-HINDS COUNTY
MS DELTA CENTER
Temporarily Relocated
1-866-706-8827
MS GULF COAST
COMMUNITY COLLEGE
2226 Switzer Road, L-139
Gulfport | 228-897-3851
MSU CHILD DEVELOPMENT
AND FAMILY STUDIES
501 College View Street
Starkville | 662-325-5122
NORTH CENTRAL MS
RESOURCE & REFERRAL CENTER
(Coming Soon)
515 N. West St.
Durant | 1-866-706-8827
Suite 480
Jackson | 601-366-6956
NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI
1097 Jackson Avenue West
Oxford | 662-915-2704
FIRST REGIONAL LIBRARY
370 W. Commerce Street
Hernando | 662-429-4439
NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI
COMMUNITY COLLEGE
350 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave
GRENADA EARLY LEARNING
ADVANTAGE CENTER
1276 Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd. S.
Grenada | 662-227-0817
ITAWAMBA
COMMUNITY COLLEGE
2176 S. Eason Boulevard
Tupelo | 662-620-5370
MERIDIAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Reed Building 135-B
910 Hwy. 19 North
Meridian | 601-553-3413
Walker Hall Rm. 227
101 Cunningham Blvd.
Booneville | 662-720-4082
PEARL RIVER
COMMUNITY COLLEGE
101 Highway 11 North
Poplarville | 601.403.1492
SOUTHWEST
COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Simmons Building
100 College Drive
Summit | 601-276-3737
The Early Years Network is committed to improving quality care for Mississippi’s youngest citizens. Our efforts to
accomplish this end include traveling and taking every opportunity to increase awareness and support for providers,
families and educational programs. We lead workshops, present at conferences, collect signatures for increased funding
for early childhood education, provide materials to educate the public and seek input from stakeholders across the
state. Our involvement extends from early childhood conferences to capital events and local health fairs. Anywhere
early childhood care and education are being discussed, we want to be present!
Capital Day
Oktibbeha County Hospital Maternity Fair
Advisory Council Meeting
Early Childhood Education Conference
Biloxi Excel By 5 Event
Oxford Health Fair
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EarlyYearsMS
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EarlyYearsMS
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@EarlyYears_MS
From classroom ideas to child development research, our Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter pages
offer great information for the early care and education community.
Funded by the Mississippi Department of Human Services, Division of Early Childhood Care and Development, the Early
Years Network is a system of services provided by the Mississippi State University Extension Service and its partners.
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without
regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic
protected by law.
The Early Years Network
100 Research Blvd. Suite 213
Mississippi State University
Box 9745
Mississippi State, MS 39762
1.866.706.8827