FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Southern Education Foundation Expands Regional Efforts to Strengthen Infant, Early Childhood, and Maternal Mental Health

Perigee Fund grant expands SEF’s regional work to strengthen support for young children, families, and communities.

ATLANTA, GA. (August 20, 2026) — The Southern Education Foundation (SEF) announced a one-year grant from the Perigee Fund to expand its work advancing infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH) and maternal mental health (MMH) across the South.

Building on the Southern Early Childhood Education Justice (SECEJ) Network, the grant will strengthen Southern states’ advocacy capacity to support young children and families through policy leadership, technical assistance, professional learning, and cross-state collaboration.

For nearly 160 years, SEF has worked to advance educational opportunities across the South. This initiative builds on the organization’s growing early childhood portfolio and its commitment to ensuring that children enter school healthy, supported, and ready to thrive.

“Strong early childhood systems begin with strong support for children and the adults who care for them,” said Raymond C. Pierce, President and CEO of the Southern Education Foundation. “This grant allows us to build on the foundation we’ve established through the Southern Early Childhood Education Justice Network and work alongside state leaders, practitioners, and community partners to strengthen infant and early childhood mental health and maternal mental health across the region. We are grateful for Perigee’s grant to grow our work and respond to the strengths and needs of children, mothers, and families across the region.“

Research demonstrates that a child’s earliest years are critical to lifelong learning, health, and well-being. Access to quality mental health support during infancy and early childhood, alongside comprehensive maternal mental health resources, helps create stronger families, healthier communities, and better educational outcomes.

The initiative will strengthen Southern states’ advocacy capacity through four key strategies:

• Advancing policies that support infant, early childhood, and maternal mental health
• Providing technical assistance to states and partner organizations
• Expanding professional learning opportunities for leaders and practitioners
• Convening cross-state collaborations to accelerate shared learning and effective practice

The grant will also expand the reach of the Southern Early Childhood Education Justice Network, which advances early childhood education policy and strengthens collaboration among Southern states. Together, these efforts will deepen SEF’s role as a regional hub for advancing policy, learning, and partnership across the early childhood continuum.

The grant builds on SEF’s growing early childhood portfolio and its commitment to advancing policies and partnerships that give every child in the South the opportunity to thrive from the start.

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ABOUT SOUTHERN EDUCATION FOUNDATION

The Southern Education Foundation (SEF) is the nation’s longest-standing education opportunity organization, committed to advancing education policies and practices that elevate learning for students from low-income families and students of color in the South. Since 1867, SEF has worked to disrupt systemic inequities in education by providing technical assistance to build capacity, research-based solutions, shaping public policy, strengthening advocacy efforts, and developing transformational education leaders. As a trusted convener, SEF brings together educators, policymakers, and advocates to drive collective action and lasting change across the South. 

SEF works across the entire education continuum, from early learning to and through postsecondary, to ensure every student, regardless of race, income, or zip code, receives a high-quality education that unlocks opportunity and success. Visit southerneducation.org to learn more.