Dr. Lori Elmore-Staton is an Associate 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 teachers and parents of underserved populations.

Dr. Alisha Hardman is an Associate Professor of Human Development and Family Science and Prevention Science at Kansas State University and is a co-project director and evaluator for the TIPPS program. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in family studies and human services at Kansas State University and her doctoral degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Minnesota. Dr. Hardman is a Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) with over 15 years of experience developing, implementing, and evaluating family life education and Extension programming. Her current work centers on applying research about family stress, crisis and trauma with an emphasis on promoting relational health by cultivating safe, stable, and nurturing relationships and environments.

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.

Taylor Deer serves as an Extension Associate in the School of Human Sciences at Mississippi State University. She earned her B.S. degree in Psychology at Mississippi College, her M.S. degree in Human Development and Family Science from the University of Alabama, and she is currently ABD in the Human Development and Family Science doctoral program at Mississippi State University. She approaches parent and family life education with an engaging and relational attitude in order to share essential and practical information with families they need to confidently navigate all aspects of parenting, child development, and family life. As a native Mississippian, she hopes to give back to her state by providing strategies, sharing resources, and serving the families and communities of Mississippi.

Kristina Dunham serves as an Extension Program Associate for the TIPPS Program in the School of Human Sciences at Mississippi State University. She was the TIPPS Intern before graduating with a B.S. degree in Human Development and Family Sciences with a concentration in Child Development. She also holds the Trauma-Informed Child Advocacy (TICA) Certificate. She is knowledgeable in parenting, child development, and trauma-informed care. She prepares and ships all the toolkits we send to our participants.

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.