The Baldwin County School District is selected to receive a $20,000 grant from Georgia’s Early Learning Leadership Collaboratives (ELLCs) to support local communities in developing strong, cross-sector leadership teams that work with children and families across all parts of the early learning continuum.

“We are very excited to be working with our partner organizations and developing a team of community members to help us address the socio-emotional needs of our students,” said Superintendent Dr. Noris Price.

Through Preschool Development Grant funds, six Georgia communities will have the opportunity to bring together community members to form an ELLC. Baldwin County has been chosen as one of these communities to receive a $20,000 grant to focus on building an effective network of local leaders who are committed to championing the needs of children and families in our county.

Supporting this work, the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) has partnered with Georgia State University’s Child Welfare Training Collaborative to offer a community-based training and action planning opportunity, focused on understanding how to support children and families experiencing trauma.

The team selected to receive this training here in the Baldwin community are Lori Smith, director of the Early Learning Center; Carey Dyer, Baldwin County Health Department assistant nurse manager; Mindee Adamson, Communities in Schools Early Learning Center site coordinator; Crystal Johstono, School Based Health Care Clinic nurse; Ola Scott Little, Baldwin County Schools social worker and homeless liaison; Carrie Brown, Early Learning Center family services manager; and Janet Cavin, Baldwin Family Connection Executive Director.