Message from the Dean:

At the Mailman Segal Institute we devote ourselves to insuring that children get the best possible start in life. We believe that all children have the right to grow up in safe, healthy, nurturing families supported by their communities. We believe strongly that early experiences have unique power and that early relationships have a profound effect on later intellectual, social, and emotional development.

For more than thirty years, we have strived to make a difference in the lives of children and families. As the largest, most comprehensive, university based family center in the nation, we have focused on developing programs and services that demonstrate “best practices” for early childhood education, family support, and special education. We strive to “practice what we teach” and “teach what we practice.” We’ve worked to insure that both practice and policy is informed by current knowledge of child and family development.

Currently, the work of the institute is focused in five major areas: the development of systemic capacity in the area of infant mental health; the development of strategies to improve the quality of child care; understanding the roots of literacy; the development of a range of innovative academic programs and training opportunities that respond to the needs and challenges of agencies, professionals and practitioners working with young children and their families; and the development of intervention strategies for special needs children.

Our programs and services also extend throughout the community. Our early childhood training staff visits child care centers throughout Broward and Hillsborough Counties, our faculty provides training for paraprofessionals and professionals throughout South Florida, and our autism consortium staff travel to school systems throughout the United States providing consultation and training.

MSI recently said good-bye to one of its great friends and supporters, Jim Moran (August 8, 1918-April 24, 2007). Mr. Moran was known throughout South Florida for his philanthropy and we are proud to be a recipient of his generosity.

In 2001, Jim and Jan Moran conceived of the Moran Community Outreach Initiative. The initiative allows the institute to expand its reach to thousands of children and families in our community, ensuring that significantly more children in Broward County are prepared to succeed in school and that professionals and parents have the support and information they need.

The Moran’s generosity helped us see our amazing facility through to completion.  Today, The Jim & Jan Moran Family Center Village, hosts thousands of families attending parent child and preschool classes and special programs for children with autism and their families.

We remember Jim Moran as an individual who was passionate about helping children reach their fullest potential.

It really does take a village to raise a child. Welcome to our village where children, families and professionals play, learn and grow together.

Roni Leiderman, Ph.D.
Dean