House Resolution 86

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND HONORING MRS. ELNORA F. LITTLETON FOR HER LEADERSHIP AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND HEAD START DIRECTOR FOR THE BOLIVAR COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY/ HEAD START IN CLEVELAND.

WHEREAS, an innovator, educator and revered community leader, Elnora F. Littleton is the current Executive Director and Head Start Director for the Bolivar County Community Action Agency/Head Start in Cleveland, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Littleton holds a bachelor of science degree in early childhood education from Mississippi Valley State University and received certification in early childhood from Tuskegee Institute, and she has certification in community development from Delta State University and is a certified Parent as Teacher instructor, a CDA advisor and trainer and has been designated CLASS Reliable by Teachstone; and

WHEREAS, for more than 50 years, Mrs. Littleton has benefitted the field of preschool education with her devotion and care, as she began her career as a teacher assistant for BCCAA in 1965 and has held several positions including teacher, Center Director, Nutrition Director, Education/Disabilities Transition Director, Head Start/Early Head Director and currently, Executive Director/Head Start Director, and she has ensured that each of the six Head Start Centers in Bolivar County are NAEYC accredited; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Littleton is very active throughout the entire Bolivar County community and serves as an advocate for families and children, as she is the president of the Mississippi Head Start Association and also a member of the Region IV Head Start Association, and she has received numerous awards and recognition as Staff of the Year on the local, state and national level, Woman of the Year for West Bolivar County, and Community Leader from the 100 Black Men of Bolivar County as well as numerous other accolades from organizations; and

WHEREAS, in her role as Executive Director, Mrs. Littleton oversees more than 250 employees and has been instrumental and supportive in encouraging, even prior to the mandates, her teaching staff to obtain their degrees in early childhood education, including the teacher assistants, and because she works closely with local universities to provide educational opportunities for the teaching staff, she has ensured that more than 95 percent of the teachers, assistants and caregivers at BCCAA/HS/EHS have bachelor of science degrees, associate in arts degrees or other credentials, and several are in the process of receiving their masters degrees; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Littleton has been influential in securing partnerships with all three local school districts in Bolivar County to ensure that children throughout the county receive needed services at no cost to the families, and through these partnerships, BCCAA/HS/EHS has received classroom materials and computers, as well as grants for more than $80,000 for the Head Start Centers; and

WHEREAS, she has organized, established and overseen some of the largest transition exercises for 200 to 300 students entering kindergarten each year, and Mrs. Littleton conducts and attends workshops and trainings throughout the state and country, works closely with organizations, and oversees state programs such as CSBG, LIHEAP, LIWAP, RAPID RE-HOUSING homeless program, DWOA/Workforce, Aging, Meals on Wheels, and GED; and

WHEREAS, when she is not serving in her role as executive director, Mrs. Littleton is also the founder and pastor of Changing Your World Ministries in Rosedale, Mississippi, and she is a woman who loves God, is dedicated to His word and enjoys spreading the word to the world; and

WHEREAS, as a lifelong educator who was filled with an eagerness to mold the minds of the younger generation, Mrs.

Littleton's cardinal guidance, devoted leadership and encouraging words are an illuminated beacon of promise to the students, faculty and staff of the Head Start Program in Bolivar County, Mississippi, as she strenuously strives to ensure that the children entrusted to her tutelage are successful in their academic pursuits and in each facet of their lives moving forward; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend and congratulate outstanding Mississippians such as Mrs. Elnora F. Littleton, whose superb leadership and instruction as the Executive Director and Head Start Director for the Bolivar County Community Action Agency/Head Start in Cleveland has equipped the children of Bolivar County with the knowledge and education they need to successfully embark on their individual journeys, ultimately bettering the lives of the citizens of our great Magnolia State:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize and honor Mrs. Elnora F. Littleton for her leadership as the Executive Director and Head Start Director for the Bolivar County Community Action Agency/Head Start in Cleveland, and extend most sincere wishes for continued success in all of her future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mrs. Elnora F. Littleton and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.