Fact Sheet Mailman Segal Institute for Early Childhood Studies

Nova Southeastern University’s Mailman Segal Institute for Early Childhood Studies, formerly known as the Family Center, provides a range of programs designed to strengthen families and enhance the ability of parents and caregivers to foster the healthy development of children. The institute showcases best practices in the fields of early childhood education, family support, and parenting education, achieving its mission through direct services to families and children, development and implementation of early childhood education and training programs, community outreach programs, and advocacy.

Mission	The Mailman Segal Institute is dedicated to strengthening families and enhancing the ability of parents and caregivers to foster the healthy development of children.
Date Established	1973
Who We Serve	Students, teachers/caregivers, families and children within the greater South Florida community and nationally.
Dean	Roni Leiderman, Ph.D.
Dean Emeritus	Marilyn Segal, Ph.D.
Location	The Jim & Jan Moran Family Center Village houses all of the institute’s programs in a central demonstration facility inviting students, faculty members, and researchers to observe, experience, and learn about best practices in early childhood education and family support. The village is conceived as an extension of the home, borrowing holistic elements commonly associated with family life. The design replicates a nurturing family environment incorporating central living areas adjacent to classrooms, which mirror more intimate family spaces. The facility incorporates natural light and elements focusing on the outdoors and nature. The layout supports a close relationship between home and school, encouraging exploration, cooperative learning, creative expression, and imaginative play in children. Located on five acres adjacent to NSU’s main campus, each room is equipped with state-of-art technology to facilitate the teaching and learning environment. The 110,000-square-foot facility enables parents, students, and educators to come together and learn about the wonder of childhood and early childhood development. The institute has a second location in Tampa Bay, Florida, named The Mailman Segal Institute of Tampa Bay.
Programs	Early Learning Programs - Connecting with Families & Children The institute's Early Learning Programs are designed for children birth through five years of age, and are based on a rich tradition of early childhood education theory and practice. The institute's Family Center Parenting Place focuses on providing the information, guidance and support that parents need to embrace parenting and help their children thrive. The Parenting Place offers parent/child classes, parental consultations, family support groups and parent education workshops, as well as a developmental clinic. Our child care and preschool programs offer nurturing, play-based, culturally diverse environments rich with developmentally appropriate activities designed to help each child achieve his or her highest potential. The institute's programs include an infant/toddler child care center, the Family Center Preschool, and the Baudhuin Preschool, a specialized program for children with autism spectrum disorder. Early Childhood Education & Training - Connecting with Early Childhood Practices The institute develops and implements educational and training programs for early childhood practitioners; provides consulting and training services to centers, schools, and agencies; and produces publications for parents, and educators. Educational opportunities include a developmental specialist master's degree, Child Developmental Associate (CDA) certification, credentialing for center directors, and provision of state-mandated child care training courses. Publications include Your Child at Play, the renowned five-part series focusing on parent/child interactions from birth to eight years of age; In Time and With Love, a resource for parents with special needs infants; and Creative Beginnings, a comprehensive, home-based curriculum, among others. The institute's Autism Consortium consults nationally, improving programs for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Child Advocacy and Community Outreach - Connecting with the Community The institute plays an active part in shaping policies that support families. Areas of special interest include improving the quality of child care and the professional status of child care workers, providing early intervention programs for all families, literacy, infant/toddler mental health, and school readiness. Community outreach activities include providing early childhood training and parent education, consulting with and developing programming for public radio and television; contributing articles to professional journals, newspapers, and magazines; and participating in professional organizations. Activities within Broward County's underserved communities are provided through The Jim & Jan Moran Community Outreach Initiative, which is dedicated to extending the institute's programs including child care center development, early childhood training, and parent education.
Major Donors	A. L. Mailman Family Foundation Abraham & Shirley Fischler Alexander & Gail Schure Ansel Family The Kosar Family Dan & Claire Marino David & Fran Horvitz Debra J. Segal Ellaine Honig Faye Trueblood Health Foundation of Florida Jay B. Langner Jim & Jan Moran, JM Family Enterprises, Inc. John & Lisa Hussman John E. & Nellie J. Bastien Memorial Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Tate Nancy Knox North Broward Preparatory School Randolph W. Lenz Family Foundation River Oaks Foundation Robert C. Victor Searcy, Denney, Scarola, Barnhart & Shipley Shepard Broad Foundation Signature Grand The Kresge Foundation The late Lois L. Deicke Unicorn Children’s Foundation
Special Events	The Snowflake Ball benefits the institute's Baudhuin Preschool for children with autism spectrum disorder. An Evening Under the Stars benefits the Family Center Preschool and Parent/Child Scholarship Funds, which provide support to low income families enrolled in the institute's Early Learning Programs. The LoveJen Family Festival benefits the Love Jen Fund at Joe Dimaggio Children's Hospital, which provides supportive, therapeutic, recreational and educational activities for children and families coping with cancer.
Publications	All About Child Care & Early Education A curriculum designed for the Early Childhood Education classroom that teaches students about children and developmentally appropriate practices for ages birth to five. Baby Play and Toddler Play Guides for parents providing ideas and inspiration to enliven quality playtime with their child, published in collaboration with The Gymboree Corporation, Inc. Published by Weldon Owen Publishing, 814 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94133. Creative Beginnings A comprehensive curriculum designed to prepare children for success in school by engaging parents and children in playful, growth promoting activities that support emergent literacy. In Time and With Love A resource for parents with special needs infants. Just Pretending A resource for parents and teachers to help children grow through imaginative play. Making Connections A Field Guide to Infant & Toddler Care, which covers 10 topics of concern to infant and toddler care providers. For copies, please contact: The Mailman Segal Institute for Early Childhood Studies 3301 College Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33314 954-262-6900. Making Friends A resource for parents on encouraging social development in children. Published by Prentice-Hall, Inc., General Publishing Division, Special Sales, Englewood Cliffs, N.J. 07632. Play Together, Grow Together A comprehensive classroom-based curriculum for developing social skills and instilling cooperative values in early childhood settings. Your Child at Play The renowned five-part series focusing on parent/child interactions from birth to eight years of age.
For More Information	Debra Gonzalez (954) 262-6929