A diverse group of children’s advocates work together through the Center to be the voice for children who need us most. These advocates have chosen the Public Policy Center to be the state-wide representative for the national children’s advocacy organization. The Children’s Focus team is piloting an innovative model for preschool education and growing the coalition of children’s advocates. This team now has an opportunity to greatly expand its advocacy work.

Dawn Trotti Hall directs the children’s programs as we pilot a new model for early literacy education in Mississippi’s existing childcare centers. She leads the Capital Area Early Literacy Corps. AmeriCorps members provide early childhood literacy activities to at-risk preschool children in non-profit child care centers. Members work with young children in small groups to develop vocabulary acquisition, reading comprehension, alphabetic principles, rhyming concepts, name recognition, and other early literacy objectives.