About the Project
Protect and Connect is a project designed to connect Mississippi parents to resources that can help make their families healthier, better connected, and happier together. Protect and Connect is a product of TIPPS, the Trauma-Informed Parenting and Professional Strategies program at Mississippi State University. This project is a partnership between MSU Extension, the MSU School of Human Sciences, and the Mississippi Department of Human Services. TIPPS is a capacity building program that focuses on training, educating, encouraging, and assisting parents in becoming knowledgeable about the nurturing, financial, growth and developmental needs of their children.
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Dr. Lori Elmore-Staton is a Professor of Human Development and Family Science at Mississippi State University and is the project director of the TIPPS program. She received her B. A. degree in Psychology and her Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies from Auburn University. Dr. Staton has conducted biophysiological research for more than 15 years, with a special emphasis on sleep and emotion regulation of young children in the context of trauma. Her current work focuses on integrating biophysiological health research into education programs for parents and early childhood educators.
Kindall Akers serves the TIPPS Program as an Extension Associate. She holds both a B.S. and M.S. in Human Development and Family Science from Mississippi State University. Kindall feels passionately about providing caretakers with the tools and information needed to help their children grow to their full potential. In her role on the team, Kindall engages with participants, assists in coordinating the day-to-day responsibilities of the team, and helps to develop education materials.
Dr. Bekah Sparks is an Extension Project Specialist with TIPPS, where she develops and supports family and child development programs across Mississippi. She holds a B.A. in Communication, an M.S. in Instructional Technology, and a Ph.D. in Human Development & Family Science - all earned at Mississippi State University - and brings 16 years of experience in technology support and education to the team. Dr. Sparks enjoys translating development research into practical, research-based tools for parents, guardians, educators, and community members.
Katelyn Wiggins serves as an Extension Associate I for the TIPPS Program in the School of Human Sciences at Mississippi State University. She holds a B.S. degree in Human Development and Family Studies with the Trauma-Informed Child Advocacy (TICA) Certificate. She oversees the participant caseloads, collects data evaluations, and administers the project database. She has experience in Early Intervention (birth-three), Multidisciplinary Teams/Forensic Interviewing at a Child Advocacy Center and volunteer experience in Child Life and ABA Therapy. She brings knowledge of parenting, child development, Autism/developmental delays, child advocacy and trauma-informed care to our team.
Sophia Manley is an Extension Associate in the School of Human Sciences at Mississippi State University working on the Trauma-Informed Parenting and Professional Strategies project. She received her B.S. in Human Development and Family Science with a concentration in Child Life and with a certificate in Trauma Informed Child Advocacy and completed a Master of Science degree in Early Intervention. Sophia also a forensic interviewer and a victim advocate at Sally Kate Winters Child Advocacy Center.
