FSU Partnership Supports Early Childhood Development in Leon County Schools

The Stoops Center for Communities, Families, and Children (Stoops Center) at the FSU College of Social Work (FSU CSW) and the Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (Anne’s College) teamed up to make an important impact on early childhood education in Leon County through a collaborative initiative funded by the Children’s Services Council of Leon County.

The partnership aims to bolster young children’s emotional and social development to strengthen their academic growth, providing much-needed support to both children and educators as they recover and rebound from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The collaboration adapts the Stoops Center’s Rebound & Recovery program in Pre-3 and Pre-4 classrooms across the Leon County School District and surrounding community early education sites.

The Rebound & Recovery program, developed in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael, is designed to help children cope with stress and build emotional resilience. It is now being tailored specifically to meet the developmental needs of children post-pandemic in early education settings.

The program incorporates cognitive-behavioral techniques to improve children’s self-regulation, emotional identification, and social competence—skills critical for academic success and personal well-being. Children learn to identify and label their emotions, understand the connection between their thoughts and behaviors, and build a toolbox for managing stress and conflict. The program also includes professional development for educators to help them reinforce these skills in the classroom.

A Community-Driven Approach

The Children’s Services Council of Leon County has recognized the urgency of supporting early childhood education, particularly in the wake of the pandemic’s lasting impact on young learners.

“Our collaboration is grounded in the belief that strong community partnerships can transform lives and their educational journey, providing young children with the emotional and academic tools they need to succeed” said Tai Cole, associate director of the Stoops Center, speaking enthusiastically about the initiative’s community-driven nature. “ “The Children’s Services Council has made it possible for us to bring Rebound & Recovery, an evidence-based program, into classrooms, ensuring that students get the support they need early in their lives.”

Ms. Cole noted that many of the children in these classrooms were born during or shortly before the pandemic, meaning they missed out on critical early relational experiences. These adaptations address these learning/experiential gaps, focusing on supporting these children’s

• emotional resilience
• regulation skills, and
• ability to build relationships with their peers and teachers.

Adapting Research to Practice

A key component of the project is the extensive research expertise of Dr. Lindsay Dennis, associate professor in Special Education in the School of Teacher Education at Anne’s College.

“Using developmentally appropriate practices, grounded in cognitive-behavioral theory, Rebound, and Recovery teaches preschool children the necessary emotion regulation, social skills, and emotional skills through activities such as shared book reading as well as small and large group extension activities,” Dr. Dennis explained about the program’s adaptations that will meet the specific needs of young children in the district,

 She added: “We continue to refine the curriculum to ensure all children, including those with or at-risk for disabilities, can access the skills and strategies being taught. The overarching goal is to support early childhood educators as they embed these skills into their daily routines, rather than asking them to do ‘one more thing.’ In this way, children have multiple exposures and opportunities throughout the day to identify their emotions, regulate them, and interact positively with peers and teachers, as well as caregivers and extended family.”

Educator and Student Outcomes

One of the most compelling aspects of this partnership is its potential to produce measurable outcomes for both students and educators.

Najahla Gilchrist, an educator in Leon County Schools who has already implemented Rebound & Recovery in her classroom, shared her perspective, stating that “the training we received through Rebound & Recovery has been invaluable. I’ve noticed a significant difference in how my students manage their emotions and interact with one another. They are more aware of their feelings and more capable of expressing them. This not only reduces conflict but also creates a more positive learning environment overall. I feel more equipped as a teacher to handle classroom challenges, which, in turn, makes me more confident in my teaching.”

Educators like Ms. Gilchrist play a vital role in sustaining the program’s success, as their insights help the FSU team continuously refine and adapt the curriculum. The program’s design includes regular coaching and fidelity checks to ensure educators are supported in their implementation efforts.

A Shared Vision for the Future

The partnership between The Stoops Center, FSU CSW and Anne’s College is driven by a shared vision – to create lasting change in the lives of children and families across Leon County. Thanks to this collaborative effort, the Stranahan Foundation has awarded a three-year grant to expand Rebound & Recovery into all Pre-3 and Pre-4 Head Start classrooms across Leon County.

Dr. Lindsay Dennis and Tai Cole will serve as co-principal investigators on the grant. This grant highlights the program’s transformative impact and the critical importance of equipping young children with the social, emotional, and academic tools essential for kindergarten readiness. This funding not only strengthens the program’s reach but also opens new doors for children and families to thrive both in school and in life.

“This project is more than just implementing a curriculum. It’s about building a network of support around children—from the classroom to their homes and communities. We are deeply committed to making a difference, and through this partnership, we’re seeing that change happen,” enthused Ellen Piekalkiewicz, director of the Stoops Center, summing up the spirit of the partnership.

By working together to bring evidence-based interventions into the classroom, these institutions are setting a foundation for future success, for students and educators alike.