The Children's Center for Communication and Development

The Children's Center for Communication and Development The Children's Center at Southern Miss provides comprehensive early intervention services to infants, toddlers and preschoolers with complex disabilities.

The Children's Center has been bringing brighter futures to children with complex disabilities since 1974. From humble beginnings to the transdisciplinary program that it is today, one thing has remained constant – the level of commitment on the part of the staff to make a difference in a child’s life. The Children’s Center was built on the notion that every child should have access to the joys (a

nd trials) of life, daily opportunities (and responsibilities), and the chance to build a bright, beautiful future. The specialists at The Center spend their days working to make this vision a reality. Children enrolled at The Children’s Center present a wide variety of special needs and diagnoses, including (but not limited to) speech, hearing and language disorders, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, rare genetic disorders, or other conditions related to premature birth. What sets The Children’s Center apart from its counterparts is the way in which therapies are provided. Research has shown that early intervention is most successful when a comprehensive approach is taken toward a child’s development. What this means for the children enrolled in The Center is that the innovative therapies provided will be custom-fit to each child’s communication and developmental needs and delivered with a cohesive team approach. This team includes speech-language pathologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, special educators, behavioral therapists, and auditory-oral therapists. In addition to providing cost-free exemplary services to infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with complex disabilities, The Children’s Center is also a preeminent research and training facility. By providing pre-professional training to students at USM and other universities and colleges in the areas of speech-language pathology, audiology, special education, physical therapy, occupational therapy, behavioral therapy, nursing, recreational therapy, and music therapy, The Children’s Center is helping to mold the next generation of committed specialists in Southern Mississippi and beyond.

Whether it’s a real dog or just Mrs. Lindsey impersonating one, we love them all the same! 🐾🦴🖤
08/27/2025

Whether it’s a real dog or just Mrs. Lindsey impersonating one, we love them all the same! 🐾🦴🖤

Support provided from The Gulf Coast Community Foundation: Operation Round Up Grant through Coast Electric has made poss...
08/20/2025

Support provided from The Gulf Coast Community Foundation: Operation Round Up Grant through Coast Electric has made possible the purchase of an AED unit for our coast location, staff CPR training, much needed sensory items like the light table shown here, and a hearing aid dryer that removes moisture and improves the effectiveness of our little ones’ hearing aids.

We’re just one of several organizations fortunate to be on the receiving end of Coast Electric’s Operation Round Up Grant. We’re so grateful for their commitment to The Children’s Center and the community we serve on the coast. Thank you, Coast Electric!

There is no way to adequately express our thanks to this individual right here. Tracie, you will be so missed! Thank you...
08/20/2025

There is no way to adequately express our thanks to this individual right here. Tracie, you will be so missed! Thank you for your support of the work that we do, and for helping us grow our impact in so many ways. All our best to you in your next chapter!

Tracie Fowler has announced her retirement as the President of United Way of Southeast Mississippi, effective March 31, 2026.

“Tracie Fowler has been a transformational leader for the United Way of Southeast Mississippi,” said Jerry DeFatta, Immediate Past Board Chair. “During her service in this role, she has been a champion for those who are working to meet the needs of the most vulnerable in our community. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve alongside her and am confident the next leader will benefit greatly from her investment
in the organization.”

Prior to being named CEO, Fowler served as a volunteer on the Community Impact Committee and as a Board Member.

“I’ve always respected United Way as a vital force in the Hattiesburg community,” said Fowler. “Over the past decade, it’s been an honor to serve in this role and help our communities navigate challenges—from flooding and tornadoes to a global
pandemic—and emerge stronger each time. I’ve stayed committed to making sure every dollar donated to United Way drives real, positive change, and I’m proud of the
work we’ve accomplished together.”

The search and selection process for United Way of Southeast Mississippi’s next President & CEO will be led by a volunteer search committee and the UWSEMS Board of Directors.

Resumes may be submitted to United Way of Southeast Mississippi’s CEO Search, 16 Office Park Drive, Ste 6, Hattiesburg, MS 39402 or emailed to
ceosearch@unitedwaysems.org

For the full position description, please visit unitedwaysems.org/president

So exciting! We'll be serving families out of this beautiful building before we know it! 🖤💛
08/20/2025

So exciting! We'll be serving families out of this beautiful building before we know it! 🖤💛

Student affairs director Michelle Konscak said she thinks it’s the beginning of a new educational era at Gulf Park.

That first day of therapy before and after with our sweet Kash! Way to sum it up, buddy! 😆🫠🤭
08/19/2025

That first day of therapy before and after with our sweet Kash! Way to sum it up, buddy! 😆🫠🤭

The bob is back, y’all! 💁🏻‍♀️University classes are back in session and so is Mrs. Schaub!Not familiar with the bob? Won...
08/18/2025

The bob is back, y’all! 💁🏻‍♀️

University classes are back in session and so is Mrs. Schaub!

Not familiar with the bob? Wondering what we’re talking about? Head to usmfoundation.com/schaubsociety and see for yourself! Happy first day, The University of Southern Mississippi! 🦅📚

🖤🙌

We’re thankful to have had the chance to support such a wonderful organization whose work aligns so beautifully with our...
08/13/2025

We’re thankful to have had the chance to support such a wonderful organization whose work aligns so beautifully with our vision and mission at The Children’s Center, and to have the opportunity to listen to the wise words of the one and only, Mr. Morgan Freeman. Thank you, MELA. Your work is so important and so needed in our state. 💙

When the boss requests a Lisa Frank theme for the first staff meeting of the new year. 😁😻🌈🐬We’re so excited for another ...
08/05/2025

When the boss requests a Lisa Frank theme for the first staff meeting of the new year. 😁😻🌈🐬We’re so excited for another awesome year with our little ones! Time to get to work and prepare to welcome them back! 💪🙌

We are beyond proud to announce that our director, Sarah Rouse Myers, will be one of the "inaugural voices of the very f...
08/01/2025

We are beyond proud to announce that our director, Sarah Rouse Myers, will be one of the "inaugural voices of the very first TEDx event on the Mississippi Gulf Coast," as Dr. Breland puts it in the release linked below. Click to read more, and help us congratulate our fearless leader! 💪👊

Southern Miss Gulf Park is hosting the first-ever TEDx event on the Mississippi Gulf Coast!

This event will spotlight innovation, leadership, and strategies for addressing critical issues related to coastal environments and the Blue Economy.

Thursday, Oct. 30
Gulf Park Campus
Tickets are limited.

Help us welcome Dr. McNeill! We're excited to have you! Southern Miss College of Nursing and Health Professions
07/31/2025

Help us welcome Dr. McNeill! We're excited to have you! Southern Miss College of Nursing and Health Professions

Southern Miss announces Dr. Charleen McNeill as the new dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions. An accomplished leader, educator, and U.S. Army veteran, she brings bold vision and a passion for innovation, collaboration, and student success. Check out the article to learn more.

Article link: https://tinyurl.com/mruww2fs

We’ve reached the point in the summer when playing WITH water just doesn’t cut it. We feel you, Landon. Whatever it take...
07/28/2025

We’ve reached the point in the summer when playing WITH water just doesn’t cut it. We feel you, Landon. Whatever it takes, buddy! 🥵💦👊

A little rainbow therapy to brighten up this rainy evening! 🌈☔️💪
07/25/2025

A little rainbow therapy to brighten up this rainy evening! 🌈☔️💪

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Hattiesburg, MS

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(601)2665222

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