EXCEL BY 5

Simpson County Moving Forward with

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“Children are not a distraction from more important work. They are the most important work.” -Dr. John Trainer

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Section I

Story time

Let's read a book!

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Introductions

• Name
• Community affiliation or role
• What makes you YOU?

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It is easier to build strong children to repair broken men. -Frederick Douglas

The window of opportunity for making brain connections largely closes by about age 5.

90% of a child’s brain development occurs before age 5.

We want every child in Simpson County to be happy, healthy and ready to succeed by the time they start Kindergarten.

one is born

Why Focus on the Early Years?

Simpson County - Quick Facts

1,545= Children under 5

331 = Children born in 2019

25,750 = Total Population

1 = School District

10 = Licensed Child Care

1 = Head Start Centers

What is Excel By 5?

Excel By 5 is a certification process where communities can be formally recognized for their progress to support young children 0-5 and their families. Children in Excel By 5 communities will be healthy and prepared for kindergarten and first grade.

Who is Excel By 5?

Began in 2004 by Chevron and MSU (4 Pilot locations) Incorporated in 2008 - Board of Directors Became a 501 (C)(3) in 2010 Privately Funded - Mississippi Only Initiative

What Makes an Excel By 5 Community?

Support AgencyFiscal Agency Certification Manager Coalition Steering Committee Focus Groups

Along the Way

Identifies Community Resources Promotes Collaboration& Volunteerism Promotes Economic Development Identifies & Creates New Opportunities

Community Coalition

Educators Businesses parents Community Agencies/Organizations Health Care Organizations Child Care PROVIDERS & Head Start Others!

Section III

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Focus Areas of Certification

Community Involvement Family & Parent Support Early Care & Education Health

Community Involvement

Excel By 5 Community CoalitionCommunity Resources Assessment*Surveys*Community Action PlanCommunity Resource GuideCommunity Wide Update Meetings

An awesome title

Pose a dramatic question; this is the essential ingredient for holding the audience's attention. It is usually posed in an intriguing way at the beginning of the story to captivate the audience and is resolved at the end.

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Family & Parent Support

Parental Communications Provide information to Parents - Newborn Packets & Info - Family Events - Workshop/Website etc. Family Resource Center Community Wide Events

An awesome title

Pose a dramatic question; this is the essential ingredient for holding the audience's attention. It is usually posed in an intriguing way at the beginning of the story to captivate the audience and is resolved at the end.

+info

Early Care and Education

Educational Partner MeetingsChild Care Providers Support In-Home Providers Awareness Events to Address School Readiness

An awesome title

Pose a dramatic question; this is the essential ingredient for holding the audience's attention. It is usually posed in an intriguing way at the beginning of the story to captivate the audience and is resolved at the end.

+info

Community Involvement

Excel By 5 Community Coalition Community Resources Assessment *Surveys* Community Action Plan Community Resource Guide Community Wide Update Meetings

Who is Excel By 5?

Began in 2004 by Chevron and MSU (4 Pilot locations) Incorporated in 2008 - Board of Directors Became a 501 (C)(3) in 2010 Privately Funded - Mississippi Only Initiative

Who is Excel By 5?

Began in 2004 by Chevron and MSU (4 Pilot locations) Incorporated in 2008 - Board of Directors Became a 501 (C)(3) in 2010 Privately Funded - Mississippi Only Initiative

Who is Excel By 5?

Began in 2004 by Chevron and MSU (4 Pilot locations) Incorporated in 2008 - Board of Directors Became a 501 (C)(3) in 2010 Privately Funded - Mississippi Only Initiative

Simpson County Early Childhood Update

January 2021 – Heard about & contacted Excel By 5

2021 – Participated in Excel By 5 statewide Virtual events and reached out to the community to see interest

2022 – READY

July 2022 – Applied for Children’s Foundation of Mississippi Grant

August 2022 – Presented to School Board

September 2022 – Presented to School Board

September/October2022 – Partnered with University of Mississippi Center for Population Studies

October 2022 – Attended Excel By 5 Statewide Summit

October 2022 – Excel By 5 participated in Community Trunk or Treat

November 2022 – Created a parent informational session on Facebook “Coffee Chat”

December 2022 – Received Children’s Foundation of Mississippi Grant

January 2023 – Participated in Children’s Foundation of Mississippi Summit and LAUNCHED Calendar Program with Banks

February 2023 – Complete Excel By 5 Application

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Health

Identification of Health Issues Early Intervention Services *First Steps (Health Dept.) *Child Find (School System) Annual Children's Health Fairs *Developmental/Health *Health& Safety Information

An awesome title

Pose a dramatic question; this is the essential ingredient for holding the audience's attention. It is usually posed in an intriguing way at the beginning of the story to captivate the audience and is resolved at the end.

+info

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Section IV

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Why is Excel By 5 Certification important to Simpson County?

Why is Excel By 5 Certification important to Simpson County?

What are Simpson County's strengths?

How will these strengths support our path to certification?

What do you forsee as possible challenges to certification?

How do you think the requirements will benefit your community?

How can you support young children in Simpson County?

* Join our Excel By 5 Coalition* Support our efforts with your time or resources* Read to a young child in your life and encourage your neighbors, co-workers and employees to do the same* Talk about and monitor developmental milestones

Where can you contribute?

* Community Involvement* Family & Parent Support* Early Care & Education* Health

Becoming a CERTIFIED EXCEL BY 5 COMMUNITY is an ONGOING Process...

Section V

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Thank you!