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ECI to Rebuild Katrina Area
Playgrounds, Repair and Rebuild
More Centers with $8 Million in SSBG Funds
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At many child care centers and child
care homes in the Hurricane Katrina
disaster area, nothing but grass or bare
earth remains of playgrounds. (ECI)
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JUNE 8, 2006 | The Mississippi
State University
Early Childhood
Institute will rebuild damaged playgrounds at child care
centers in Mississippi’s Hurricane Katrina disaster area with $8
million in federal funds awarded by the Mississippi Department
of Human Services.
Governor Haley Barbour yesterday announced a grant of $14.4
million to ECI and the Mississippi State University Extension
Service. The
Nurturing Homes Initiative of the Extension Service will
use its share of the grant to help child care homes in the
region resume services. The funds are from the federal Social
Services Block Grant (SSBG) to the State of Mississippi.
“It is an immediate concern of parents to have a safe and
healthy environment for the care of their children,” Governor
Barbour said. “These parents cannot successfully return to work
or focus on work issues when there is no child care available.
Therefore, there is a critical need to restore child care
services within these counties hardest hit by Hurricane
Katrina.”
Cathy Grace, Ed.D., professor and director of
ECI, observed, “Outdoor play provides opportunities for young
children to practice gross motor skills through running,
jumping, climbing, and other physical activities; social skills
through dramatic play and child-initiated games; and cognitive
skills through exploration of the natural environment.
“We appreciate the leaders of DHS and Governor Barbour for
supporting recovery of the early childhood infrastructure in the
Katrina region, and for recognizing the fundamental importance
of outdoor play areas.”
ECI also will continue making repairs to some child care
buildings in the region and replacing damaged learning materials
in centers it has not yet reached through its
Rebuilding After Katrina Initiative. Connie Clay is
director of that initiative; Laurie Todd is associate director
for Mississippi initiatives of ECI. Louise E. Davis, Ph.D.,
directs the Nurturing Homes Initiative of the MSU Extension
Service.
The Office for Children and Youth in the Mississippi Department
of Human Services administers SSBG funds used for child care
programs.
46 Blackjack Rd. / P.O. Box 6013 /
Mississippi State, MS / 39762
tel. 662-325-4836 / fax 662-325-5436
© 2004- Mississippi State University
Updated
11/22/2006
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