Cathy Grace served as the early childhood coordinator at the Mississippi Department of Education and assisted school districts in the implementation of public kindergarten throughout the state. Working with the Department of Human Services, Cathy coordinated the development of a family support/family preservation program that is now a statewide model. Cathy served as president of the Mississippi Early Childhood Association, served on the nomination panel for the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and represented Mississippi on the Human Resources Committee of the Southern Regional Education Board. She also received the Outstanding Member of the Early Childhood Association in 2000.
Cathy Grace served as executive director of the Southern Early Childhood Association (SECA), which gave her an opportunity to assist in the professional development of early childhood educators across the southern United States. She has spoken to groups across the country on behalf of children and families.
Mississippi State University appointed Grace to direct the National Center for Rural Early Childhood Learning Initiatives within the MSU Early Childhood Institute. She led a team of researchers at MSU and at partner universities and agencies to study gaps in early childhood services in rural communities and to develop research-based technical assistance models that can be replicated and adapted in diverse rural areas.
Dr. Grace retired from the institute in 2011 to serve as the director of early childhood development policy for the Children's Defense Fund in Washington, D.C. In June 2012, she returned to Mississippi and now serves as the director of early childhood education for the Gilmore Early Learning Initiative in Amory.
For The Portfolio Book: Benjamin Franklin Award
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Introduction to After the Crisis
Introduction to Preparing for Disaster
Introduction to The Portfolio Book
Praise for Preparing for Disaster:
"...This book is a must for every administrator of a child care program."
--Suzanne Gellens, MS, Executive Director, Florida Association for the Education of Young Children
"This is an absolute must for anyone who cares for children. This resource very precisely spells out all the measures that need to be taken into consideration for being proactive as well as dealing with the aftermath of a crisis. The forms in the last chapter make it easier to be well prepared to handle any disaster in an organized and efficient manner."
--Jody Martin, Vice President of Education and Training, Creme de la Creme
"Being prepared could not be more important! Katrina, wildfires, tornadoes, and the BP oil spill have taught us this. Calm, relaxed, prepared staff are essential! "
--Marcy Guddemi, PhD, Executive Director, Gesell Institute of Human Development
"These companion books [Preparing for Disaster and After the Crisis], based on hard-learned lessons from the Katrina disaster, should be read by all entrusted with the physical and emotional well-being of our youngest and most vulnerable children."
--Marian Wright Edelman, President, Children's Defense Fund
Praise for After the Crisis:
"This unprecedented resource book is very informative and user friendly. This will certainly give teachers the tools to help children understand various disasters that are possible as well as heal better if they experienced one."
--Jody Martin, Vice President of Education and Training, Creme de la Creme
"Excellent collection of targeted children’s books! Every center should have this book."
--Marcy Guddemi, PhD, Executive Director, Gesell Institute of Human Development
"...This book is relevant for every teacher, whether the [children in the classroom have] experienced a disaster or seen devastation on television."
--Suzanne Gellens, Executive Director, Florida Association for the Education of Young Children
Praise for The Portfolio Book:
"This book provides a relatively simple step-by-step process for using a portfolio assessment in everyday teaching practices. This easy-to-read book is both comprehensive and feasible for preschool and primary teachers."
--All Together Now!