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.
Meet Our Team
Lisa Long
Project Director
(Principal Investigator)
Ms. Long directs the Early Childhood ECHO project, working in concert with the team. She engages with stakeholders and funders working in the area of child development and education, shares information, success stories, and resources from the project with others, and leads the team in strategic planning for continued project quality and sustainability. She promotes the growth of leaders in early care and education through EC ECHO and the Child Development Associate Scholarship Program, supporting educational opportunities for early childhood professionals and families with young children. Read full bio.
662-325-3839
lisa.long@ssrc.msstate.edu
Katerina Sergi
Evaluator
(Co-Principal Investigator)
Dr. Sergi Performs evaluation for the project’s lifecycle – designing and managing pre/post surveys, feedback tools, and in-depth interviews; cleaning and analyzing data; translating findings into clear, visual insights; producing content for conferences and manuscripts. Her work bridges research, practice, and policy by partnering with agencies and organizations for informed decision-making. Read full bio.
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 is a session facilitator and coordinator for the Early Childhood ECHO project. Mr. Long admires the work of early childhood educators and professionals and is thankful to learn together and provide support through ECHO. In addition to facilitating sessions, Mr. Long also manages the contracts and other administrative responsibilities for the project’s specialists and participants. Read full bio.
662-325-3791
bradley.long@ssrc.msstate.edu
Michelle Gaither
Research Associate III
Ms. Gaither collaborates with the EC ECHO Team to coordinate and manage the facilitation of the EC ECHO Project. She’s responsible for planning, developing, and implementing all components of the project. She collaborates with agency partner leaders to tailor the program to meet the agency’s specific needs, recruits early childhood experts to serve as specialists, and aligns all components of a successful EC ECHO Program, creating a unique learning and support opportunity for early childhood professionals and families. Read full bio.
662-325-0893
michelle.gaither@ssrc.msstate.edu
Ruby Brenner
Research Associate I
Ms. Brenner serves as a facilitator and coordinator for EC ECHO. She works closely with the team to plan, organize, and host sessions. She assists with recruiting and engaging with participants and specialists, preparing marketing materials, managing the iECHO online platform, and coordinating continuing education. A former educator, Ms. Brenner is grateful for this opportunity to support Mississippi’s children and families through her work with ECHO. Read full bio.
662-325-7919
ruby.brenner@ssrc.msstate.edu
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