A community can be defined as a city, town, county or other designated boundaries. The local group that wishes to pursue this certification can decide the makeup of its coverage area. In many cases, this might be along school district, city, or county boundaries.

The normal timeframe is two years, however, this will vary based on how well the community is organized and what resources currently exist. The minimum amount of time required is 12 months.

There is no fee paid to the state Excel By 5 organization to join or to receive certification. Communities are not charged for participation in the statewide framework or for the certification designation itself. Excel By 5's state office is funded through a combination of legislative appropriation and private support. The statewide office is organized into four geographic districts, with an assigned Excel By 5 Navigator or Coach serving each quadrant. These Navigators provide technical assistance, leadership development, accountability support, and cross-community collaboration. This structure ensures that communities have access to guidance, tools, and statewide alignment without a certification cost. At the local level, each community forms a coalition made up of cross-sector partners such as early childhood providers, schools, health professionals, businesses, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and civic leaders. The coalition works together to complete the certification process, conduct a community resource assessment, and implement an Individual Community Action Plan. While there is no statewide certification fee, some communities may incur local expenses depending on the initiatives they choose to pursue. Costs vary by location and by need. Some coalitions operate primarily through volunteer leadership and in-kind support. Others may invest in printing materials, hosting community events, conducting surveys, leadership training, or launching specific initiatives identified through their planning process. Local funds are typically raised through community foundations, business sponsorships, municipal support, grants, or in-kind services. The extent of any cost depends entirely on the scope of the coalition’s work and the partnerships it builds. These potential expenses and any funding considerations are discussed during the initial informational meeting and the first formal coalition meeting so communities can plan accordingly..

Excel By 5 requires each coalition to have a Lead Support Partner to provide guidance to the community Excel By 5 coalition. The roles and resposnsibilites of this partner will be determined and documented through a memorandum of understanding with the coaltion.

Excel By 5 requires a lead fiscal support partner be in place to handle the fiscal aspects of the coalition. In most cases the coalition will not be considered a legal entity, therefore in order to solicit and distribute funds a lead fiscal agency must be identified and be registered with the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office. The bylaws which will be put in place by the coalition should reflect the method and responsibility of handling funds and in-kind services.

The Community Excel By 5 Coalition should have representation from the local school district(s), Businesses, Health Care organizations, Child Care Providers, Head Start agencies, School District(s), community organizations, faith based organizations, city officials and the media. A list of suggested participants can be found at “Suggested Coalition Members“. The minimum size of the coalition ranges from 3 to 15 members. The size depends on the population of the community.

Most of the communities are required to have events focusing on children ages 0-5. Depending upon population size this may or may not include a community-wide family event, school readiness event and health fair. We encourage communities to collaborate with other organizations and partner with existing events.

Contact the state office at 662-542-2412, and Excel By 5 staff will set up a meeting with the interested parties to explain the basics of Excel By 5 and the steps necessary to become a certified early childhood community.

Certification is awarded for a three-year period. After receiving initial certification, the community continues its efforts in alignment with the established Excel By 5 standards and its Individual Community Action Plan. During the third year, Excel By 5 staff monitor coalition activity, leadership engagement, and progress toward sustained implementation. Upon satisfactory completion of requirements, re-certification is granted. However, certification is not the end goal. It is a milestone in an ongoing process. Excel By 5 was designed as a framework for continuous community improvement, not a checklist to be completed once. Coalition membership evolves. Children age into and out of the 0–5 population. Family needs shift. Organizations expand, contract, and sometimes disappear. Data reveals new gaps. Policies change. The work is never finished. The expectation is that certified communities remain engaged beyond the initial three-year cycle. Re-certification reflects a continued commitment to shared leadership, cross-sector collaboration, and measurable action. Communities are encouraged not only to maintain standards, but to deepen them. This includes identifying new service gaps, strengthening data use, expanding leadership voices, and growing advocacy on behalf of young children and families. Excel By 5 exists to build long-term community capacity. Initial certification establishes momentum. Sustained certification builds culture. The ultimate goal is for communities to embed early childhood as a permanent civic priority, continually refining and expanding their efforts so that all children ages 0–5 are healthy, supported, and ready to learn.

The normal time frame is two years, however, this will vary based on how well the community is organized and what resources currently exist. The minimum amount of time required is 12 months.