End of Year Updates from the Early Childhood Council Team

Cheryl’s Work with Families and Educators

This has been a full and energizing season for our Parent Engagement Coordinator, Cheryl Dexter. She has spent the fall traveling across Mississippi and beyond to share practical, research-based guidance on early language development, social emotional health, and developmental milestones.

Cheryl presented at the Mississippi Early Childhood Association Conference and the Memphis First 8 Conference, where she connected with educators who are shaping the earliest experiences of young children. Her sessions focused on everyday strategies that strengthen communication skills and support emotional growth. Attendees left with tools they could put to use right away in classrooms and early learning environments.

Cheryl also brought hands-on workshops directly to families through partnerships with the Pass Christian School District, the Pass Christian Library, and the Starkville Discovery Center. These sessions highlighted the vital role parents and caregivers play in building confidence, communication, and emotional well-being in young children.

In addition, Cheryl joined families at the Jackson Public School Parent Night and the Vicksburg Warren County Health Fair. She shared information about developmental milestones, social emotional development, and the importance of early identification. Families especially enjoyed learning about VROOM tips, which show how simple daily routines can spark meaningful brain building.

Cheryl ended the quarter at the Family Learning Conference and returned with fresh ideas for strengthening family engagement. Her dedication to meeting parents and providers where they are continues to make an impact across Mississippi.

Jessica’s Work in Community Engagement and Sustainability

Our Sustainability Coordinator, Jessica Senter, has also had a meaningful and productive season. Her work continues to strengthen local partnerships and support sustainable community outreach efforts statewide.

Jessica helped plan and coordinate the Back-to-School Health Fair in Columbia, where more than 200 children received books, school supplies, uniforms, and important local resources. This event brought together families, schools, and community partners to ensure children had what they needed for a strong start to the school year.

She has also continued to mentor and support our Collegiate Connectors. Through regular coaching and collaboration, Jessica is helping these students build leadership skills and prepare for future roles in education, health, and community development.

In Pass Christian, Jessica supported the community’s first Community Baby Shower, which brought together local vendors, food, gifts, and information for new and expecting parents. The turnout and feedback were overwhelmingly positive, and she is already exploring opportunities to replicate this model in other communities.

This quarter, Jessica has worked closely with several Early Childhood Councils to identify grant opportunities and support application processes for programs that help strengthen local systems. She is also developing seasonal fundraising efforts that will support council projects and advance our mission across the state.

Jessica’s focus on collaboration and long-term sustainability continues to help build stronger communities for Mississippi’s children and families.