CFM team end-of-year updates!

Our CFM team has been on an incredible journey this year as we have grown our staff and continued to work to improve the well-being of children in Mississippi!

Since August, the Early Childhood Council (ECC) team has traveled the state, from the coastal communities to the northern communities, fostering relationships and working on initiatives with new and existing ECCs. Our team has been more than just visitors—we’ve been partners, listeners, and champions for those hoping to improve outcomes for their youngest community members.

Professional growth has been a cornerstone of the CFM team’s journey, with several key conferences significantly expanding our knowledge and skills. The Mississippi LIFT Summit, focused on Preschool Development Grant initiatives, provided insights into early childhood education strategies. We learned a lot and had the opportunity to present updates on the work we’ve done and plan to do in the future!

Cheryl’s experience at the National Association for the Education of Young Children Conference (NAEYC) in Anaheim, CA, was particularly impactful, offering sessions on emotional intelligence in young children, inclusion in early education, and effective use of social media for parent communication. These insights equipped her with valuable tools to enhance early childhood education practices in her role as Parent Outreach Coordinator for the ECCs.

Meanwhile, Jessica and Bailey attended the Nonprofit Storytelling Conference in Santa Ana Pueblo, NM. This event featured experts in nonprofit marketing, development, and fundraising, providing opportunities to enhance skills directly applicable to CFM and early childhood councils. The networking opportunities allowed for idea-sharing and mutual learning among professionals nationwide.

In collaboration with the Mississippi Early Childhood Inclusion Center, the ECC team has made significant strides in providing developmental screenings for children across the state. Screenings have been scheduled at key locations, including Lynn Meadows Discovery Center in Gulfport, The Church of the Living God Preschool in Leland, and Good Shepherd Preschool in Vicksburg.

Additionally, we’ve taken important steps to address mental health in early childhood. Working with infant and child mental health consultants, we’ve developed a series of webinars for (ECCs). These sessions, to be hosted by Dr. Gabriella Banks, a clinical psychologist at UMMC, will address questions submitted by ECC members on infant and child mental health. These initiatives have strengthened our connections with ECCs and advanced early childhood initiatives and provided valuable professional growth opportunities. Our efforts continue to focus on supporting Mississippi’s youngest residents’ holistic development and well-being.

Lastly, for our cross-country travels, Executive Director Linda Southward, Ph.D., presented at an event hosted by The Mississippi Delta Partnership in Public Health. Dr. Southward’s presentation, “Promoting Children and Youth Well-being in Mississippi: Opportunities and Challenges,” highlighted the critical role of intersectoral partnerships in policymaking and implementing effective changes to improve the lives of children and youth across Mississippi. The session provided attendees with valuable insights into addressing systemic challenges and advancing collaborative solutions to ensure the well-being of Mississippi’s younger generations. See photo below featuring Dr. Southward, CFM board member Sammy Moon, and two of our former Harvard fellows, Redi and Rosie.

Looking ahead, we’re buzzing with excitement about our upcoming Summit in February 2025.  We’re committed to ensuring every attendee feels welcomed, supported, and empowered to continue their incredible work. 

This journey isn’t just about programs or initiatives; it’s about building a brighter, more supportive future for Mississippi’s children. We’re not just watching change happen, we’re creating it, one connection, one screening, one conversation at a time – because for Mississippi to reach its potential, our children must reach theirs!