By Lena Mitchell
Daily Journal Corinth Bureau
CORINTH – Corinth and Alcorn County have been certified as Excel By 5 communities.
The three-year certification awarded to the local coalition of groups by the statewide organization recognizes Corinth and Alcorn County as a child-friendly community.
“It’s with great pride that I recognize and congratulate Corinth and Alcorn County on becoming an Excel By 5 Certified Early Childhood Community,” said Excel By 5 board President Nadine Coleman, in a press release announcing the achievement.
A group of community supporters have been working for about two years with the Commission on the Future of Alcorn County to achieve certification.
Certification manager Susan O’Connell said earlier this month that they were expecting certification after a site visit by state representative Kayla Beck.
“We’re extremely pleased that Corinth-Alcorn County Excel By 5 has gained its certification,” said Corinth Superintendent Lee Childress. “It was a collaboration effort of the entire community that included private child care providers, Head Start, local business and industry, health care and volunteers. They’ve shown a commitment to providing appropriate early childhood opportunities for children through age 5, and the community should be commended for making this certification possible.”
Alcorn County Superintendent Gina Rogers Smith is on vacation this week and was unavailable for comment.
Excel by 5 is a program to support child development for birth through age 5, and was created through a collaboration of the Mississippi State University Early Childhood Institute and Chevron.
The certification process includes documenting commitment in four distinct areas: community support and involvement, family and parent support, early care and education, and health.