About Us
Early Childhood ECHO is all about connecting and empowering the people who care for young children. Through a virtual platform, we bring together early childhood professionals and families with experts in developmental and behavioral health to share knowledge, provide support, and build stronger systems of care.
Who We Are
At Early Childhood ECHO, we believe that every child deserves a strong foundation for lifelong success. That’s why we bring together early childhood professionals, families, and experts to create a collaborative virtual space where knowledge is shared, challenges are addressed, and meaningful solutions are developed. Our program is designed to equip caregivers and providers with the tools, resources, and confidence they need to support children’s developmental and behavioral health, especially in rural communities. By building on existing systems and fostering connections, we’re shaping a future where every child has the opportunity to thrive.
Our Mission
Our mission is to systematize support for families and early childhood professionals, empowering them with the tools and knowledge they need to address developmental and behavioral health challenges in children birth to eight years old. We strive to create a sustainable learning model that builds on existing systems while fostering collaboration and innovation in early childhood care.
Our Goals
- Provide virtual learning and tele mentoring opportunities for families and early childhood professionals to increase developmental, behavioral, and mental health knowledge.
- Maintain and advance the ECHO Model for early childhood developmental, behavioral, and mental health professional and family learning through collaboration with statewide partners.
- Measure outcomes through an adaptable evaluation model.
- Provide a digital library of early childhood resources.
Professional Development
In addition to the invaluable skills, resources, and strategies that our participants gain through EC ECHO, we also offer free professional development. We offer one contact hour per EC ECHO session participants attend.
Meet Our Team
Lisa Long
Project Director
(Principal Investigator)
Ms. Long supervises the overall contract project activities and budget management, working in concert with other project Co-PIs and the Project Manager. Her responsibilities include outreach across the state with stakeholders working in the area of child development and education.
662-325-3839
lisa.long@ssrc.msstate.edu
Katerina Sergi
Evaluator
(Co-Principal Investigator)
Dr. Sergi serves as the evaluation and continuous quality improvement lead for the project and oversees the administration of data collecting tools, supervision of data collection, design of survey instruments, analysis of quantitative and qualitative data, and other project evaluation-related tasks. She also generates peer-reviewed publications and contributes to reporting for the project.
Lauren Elliott
Child Development and Behavioral Health Consultant
Ms. Elliott assists with outreach efforts and identifies University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) Specialists with experience with families, young children, trauma, early intervention, and infant mental health with children birth to eight. She also manages UMMC-related program development and assists with overall guidance and input into project progress and sustainability plans.
Bradley Long
Contracts Coordinator
Mr. Long manages contractual communications with the project’s specialists and supports the team in any way that’s needed.
662-325-3791
bradley.long@ssrc.msstate.edu
Michelle Gaither
Research Associate III
Ms. Gaither is responsible for recruiting and facilitating the participation and implementation of Early Childhood Professional ECHOs.
662-325-0893
michelle.gaither@ssrc.msstate.edu
Ruby Brenner
Research Associate I
Ms. Brenner is responsible for recruiting and facilitating the participation of families and implementation of the Family ECHOs.
662-325-7919
ruby.brenner@ssrc.msstate.edu
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