First 5 Alabama

09/18/2025

✨September Consultant Spotlight is Debbie Bailey✨

Hello! I’m Debbie Bailey, and my journey in Early Childhood Education has taken me on many rewarding paths. From leading preschool classrooms and directing programs to teaching fellow childcare providers, I’ve worn many hats—but my passion has always been helping children thrive. Now, as an Early Childhood Mental Health consultant, I love supporting the parents and teachers who shape young lives every day. Helping adults nurture children’s mental health feels more important than ever, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to make a difference. Since joining First 5 AL nearly a year ago, I’ve been inspired by the amazing people I’ve met along the way.

I am a mom to a 14-year-old daughter who keeps me on my toes! We love communing with nature, such as hiking and being on the water. I am a movie buff and am quite knowledgeable about pop culture trivia, which means I possess a wealth of useless information. I love my Auburn tigers and the colors navy and orange, and my favorite quote is “Not all those who wander are lost." J.R.R. Tolkien

09/17/2025

Endorsement Support & Live Office Hours – Register Now!

Hi First 5 Alabama Members,

We are excited to offer Endorsement Support & Live Office Hours on the 1st and 4th Wednesday of each month at 12 PM. If you’re interested in joining, please register using the link below:

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://ow.ly/VfOn50VRZ8e

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with details on how to join the meeting.

09/15/2025

✨September Center Spotlight✨

When Mrs. Elisha Pharr stepped into her first early childhood classroom at the age of 16, she knew that working with children was what she wanted to do. She began teaching preschool at the age of 19 and at 21, she opened her own in-home child care with her Mom, who is lovingly known as Nana the Great to her Great Grands and all of the daycare kiddos. Now she has had the privilege to expand to a DHR state licensed child care facility with a capacity of 75 and an amazing staff of 13. Her center is the only one in Hamilton, AL to offer infant care and serves children all the way up to school-age. They are currently rated 3 STAR with Alabama Quality Stars.

One thing that sets her apart is her 30 years of teaching and caring for children and her 27 years of owning her own childcare center. She is now keeping kids of kids that she has kept in the past, which speaks of her character and the legacy she has built, along with her Mom, and amazing staff.

One way her facility promotes family and community engagement is planning special themed day throughout the year for first responders, healthcare professionals, parents, and friends to provide engaging activities for the children. Their community helpers events and party days are always a big hit.
Mrs. Pharr is a firm believer in treating children the way you would want your child to be treated and trains her staff in the importance of engagement and conversations with the children. Caring for children is more than taking care of basic needs. It’s providing experiences for the children to participate in: read to them, sing and dance with them, let them get messy, and engage all 5 senses to help them learn and grow to the fullest!

When Mrs. Pharr isn’t busy at the center, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Jason, her children, Carley and son-n-love Michael, and Gavin and soon to be fiancé, Faith. She is really enjoying her new role as Lola to her beautiful grand babies, Meredith and Chandler, which she gets to take care of in her center. Mrs. Pharr wouldn’t be where she is today without her faith in the Lord. He has given her the calling and opened every door she has been able to walk through. She also wouldn’t be where she is without her Mom and amazing staff!!

09/11/2025

When to Worry about Aggression

When: September 26, 2025 at 11:30 AM

📍Register in advance for this meeting:
https://ow.ly/u2g750UHTAc

09/03/2025

Understanding Trauma in Young Children with Ebone' Owens

September 23, 2025 1:00 PM | Audience ( All)

In this training you will learn how to recognize the effects of trauma in children ages 0-5 and understand trauma in a broad and inclusive way.

📍Register in advance:
https://ow.ly/WibE50UEEA0

09/01/2025

Challenging Behaviors (1hr)

When: September 17, 2025 01:00 PM

📍Register in advance for this meeting:
https://ow.ly/MK6S50UECNV

08/28/2025

Early Identification and Referral for Developmental Delays with Debbie Bailey

When: September 11, 2025, at 1:00 PM

📍Register in advance for this meeting:
https://ow.ly/jarj50UHVbG

08/25/2025

Tyesha Durr and Alicia Richardson will host an online training for Introduction to Reflective Supervision on September 11, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

CEUs will be offered.

📍Register now: https://ow.ly/myZg50WKl3W

08/21/2025

Endorsement Support & Live Office Hours – Register Now!

Hi First 5 Alabama Members,

We are excited to offer Endorsement Support & Live Office Hours on the 1st and 4th Wednesday of each month at 12 PM. If you’re interested in joining, please register using the link below:

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/XRgSCszhR4-UkV3tiD70Lg

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with details on how to join the meeting.

08/19/2025

Registration now for the 2025 CPC Conference! We hope so see you there!

📍 https://www.alcpc.org/2025-cpc-conference

We are looking forward to seeing you at the 2025 Alabama CPC Conference! Registration is officially open- make sure to scan the QR code.

08/15/2025

Building Strong Partnerships with Families

When: August 29, 2025, at 1:00 PM

📍Register in advance for this meeting:
https://ow.ly/ceSp50UHV8r

08/12/2025

Check out our August Mental Health Consultation Newsletter!