New chairs appointed to statewide coalition

The Mississippi Early Childhood Development Coalition (ECDC) recently appointed two new chairs to guide their group.

Nadeane Cattrell, executive director of Mississippi Families for Kids, and Lauren Elliott, a pediatric nurse practitioner at the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s (UMMC) Center for the Advancement of Youth, will lead the coalition for a one-year term.

ECDC provides a platform for families and professionals to share resources and expertise that promote healthy early childhood growth and development in Mississippi. The Systems Change Lab at Mississippi State University’s Social Science Research Center (SSRC) provides the coalition with backbone support.

“This coalition is filled with dedicated, passionate individuals whose greatest desire is to work towards creating a future where our children have an abundance of resources to support their ability to thrive,” Cattrell said.  

The group currently comprises just under 100 members, including state agency staff, non-profit organization staff, advocates, early educators, Office of the Governor staff, public school district staff, social workers, family partners, health care providers, parents and caregivers of young children, and university staff. The group is tackling issues like kindergarten readiness and strategies to support Mississippi’s youngest residents.  

“I love working with the ECDC. The coalition is like a hive mind for a diverse group of folks who care about early childhood in Mississippi to come together and learn from each other,” said Callie Poole, a member of the ECDC leadership team and SSRC project manager.

The regular meetings promote engagement, collaboration, and awareness about issues affecting the early childhood community. Members share updates on the latest events and developments, spotlight their work or experiences, and bring forward issues or topics of concern. These discussions often lead to working groups that address specific priorities and provide solutions.

In 2025, ECDC is planning an upcoming Capitol Day in partnership with the Mississippi Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Mississippi Thrive! Fellowship at UMMC. This event will highlight the importance of children’s health and early development and promote research about policies that support young children and families across the state.

“I am excited about the progressive direction of the ECDC in 2025.  I look forward to building a greater statewide network inclusive of providers and families from each region of Mississippi who can work together to champion the needs of our most vulnerable population,” Cattrell said.

ECDC is sponsored through the Mississippi Early Childhood Systems and Data Project housed at the SSRC, which receives funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

Learn more and join at https://bit.ly/MSECDC.