Rebound & Recovery Enters Its Third Year in Leon County: Building Strong Foundations for Kindergarten and Beyond

Rebound & Recovery initiative, housed at the FSU College of Social Work’s Stoops Center for Communities, Families and Children (Stoops CFC), entered its third year of implementation across Leon County in 2025 with powerful momentum and expanded reach thanks to the continued support of the Children’s Services Council of Leon County (CSC).

Grounded in the science of early childhood development and informed by cognitive behavioral and trauma-responsive practices, Rebound and Recovery provides a dual-impact model—strengthening individual child outcomes while simultaneously equipping caregivers and educators with sustainable, evidence-based strategies that foster emotional growth, resilience, and school readiness.

This year, the program is expanding with new initiatives to support more children, caregivers, and educators in the community. Participating community preschool partners for the 2025–2026 school year include: All About Me Childcare Center Inc., Trinity United Methodist Church Preschool,1200 Kids Korner, Kingdom Life Preparatory Academy, Elements of Learning Child Development Center, First Presbyterian Preschool and School for Young Children

In partnership with the FSU College of Social Work, nine new program associates were hired to work directly in Pre-K3, Pre-K4 and Kindergarten classrooms across Leon County Schools, as well as in an expanded number of community preschool and licensed home childcare providers. These graduate-level professionals receive specialized training in cognitive behavioral techniques, emotional regulation and trauma-informed care, while simultaneously gaining hands-on experience to become the next generation of child counselors.

This year marks a pivotal phase of innovation and deepened support for families and educators. Rebound & Recovery will be:

• Enhancing caregiver outreach through an improved texting system, using the Remind app in a new, research-based way. Messaging protocols have been developed to deliver timely micro-learning tips, emotional regulation strategies, and supportive resources directly to parents and caregivers in real-time.
• Develop and launch a Train-the-Trainer model for early educators to build sustainable capacity among Leon County educators and deepen long-term impact across schools.
• Develop and beta-test the “Jump Start to Kindergarten” Summer Camp, designed to help rising kindergartners develop the emotional, behavioral, and academic skills they need to thrive as they transition to school.

“When we invest in emotional development during the earliest years, we are not simply preparing children for kindergarten. What we are witnessing is more than improved behavior; it is the early construction of emotional competence and lifelong resilience,” said Tai Cole, associate director of Stoops CFC. “We are creating the conditions for long-term academic success, stronger relationships, and healthier communities. Rebound & Recovery is not just a program; it is a foundation for equity and thriving.”

Over the past two years, Rebound & Recovery has delivered transformative results, including:

• 90% of students improved their regulation skills and emotional control.
• 81% of students learned to name at least one emotion and one calming skill.
• Pre-K students experienced academic growth, including a 49% increase in literacy, 88% in math, 64% in cognitive development and 65% in language development.
• Educators reported a 56% increase in students' social-emotional knowledge and a 9% improvement in student attitudes about self, others, and school.

“These outcomes reflect far more than numerical gains—they demonstrate measurable growth in young children’s ability to express emotions, build connections and engage in classroom learning,” said Raegan Hamilton, program manager for Rebound & Recovery. “We have observed non-speaking children begin to use language, students independently utilizing regulation strategies such as Hot Cocoa Breathing, and educators reporting significant improvements in overall classroom climate and student engagement.”

Through the continued investment and partnership of the Children’s Services Council of Leon County, Rebound & Recovery is not only expanding access to critical early intervention supports—it is laying the foundation for long-term systems change. By embedding these supports within homes, classrooms, and communities, the program is cultivating the conditions necessary for healthier relationships, stronger families, more effective schools, and resilient communities—one child, one caregiver, and one educator at a time