Contact: Kenneth Billings
STARKVILLE, Miss.--The founding director of the Early Childhood Institute at Mississippi State is being tapped to direct the early childhood development policy program of a national advocacy organization.
Cathy Grace recently was chosen by the non-profit Children's Defense Fund to assume a yearlong post as the liaison between the Washington, D.C.-based organization and members of Congress, government policy makers and members of other advocacy groups. A professor in the College of Education, she will be working to promote the inclusion of critical educational principles in various pieces of legislation, among other duties.
"This is an opportunity that I could not pass up because it holds tremendous promise for young children facing uncertain futures, as well as for the children not yet born and their families," Grace said. "The course set for young children in the next 12-24 months will forever change lives and determine the productivity of this country for the remainder of this century."
CDF President Marian Wright Edelman--the first African-American woman admitted to the Mississippi Bar--said Grace not only is "a seasoned and creative early childhood specialist," but a professional who "knows how to operationalize, as well as develop, sound policy."
Edelman added: "At this exciting time of national transformation, she will bring a much needed voice and vision to this crucial area. CDF is excited to have Cathy Grace lead our efforts to advance a positive agenda to promote a long overdue early childhood development system to meet young children where they are, to support their healthy development and to ensure school readiness and successful school advancement."
Founded by Edelman in 1973, the CDF, according to its Web site, "champions policies and programs that lift children out of poverty; protects them from abuse and neglect; and ensures their access to health care, quality education and a moral and spiritual foundation." Supported by foundation and corporate grants and individual donations, it "advocates nationwide on behalf of children to ensure children are always a priority."
Grace, a University of Mississippi doctoral graduate, is a veteran educator with more than 35 years of experience. She earlier worked as a classroom teacher, directed a university-based early care and education program, served as the early childhood coordinator for the Mississippi Department of Education, directed a regional early childhood professional development organization, and founded a local family support and preservation program, among other achievements.
During her career, she also has conducted field research, developed curriculum and training for early-childhood educators, been published in research journals, and co-authored two books.
NEWS EDITORS/DIRECTORS: For more information, contact Dr. Grace at 662-325-4836 or cgrace@colled.msstate.edu.
For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.