Leigh Ann Simmons was featured in a recent news article entitled "New Project to Fuel Innovations in Early Childhood Development" published in DukeToday. She leads the All Babies and Children Thrive (ABC Thrive) initiative, that promotes optimal development of babies and young children.  

This new initiative at Duke University will take a holistic approach to helping babies and young children get the best possible start in life, focusing on their physical, mental and emotional well-being, as well as their environment and community.

ABC Thrive was established by a $2 million gift from Duke alumna and trustee Laurene Meir Sperling and her husband, Scott M. Sperling, through the Sperling Family Charitable Foundation. The Bass Connections Challenge at Duke will add $1 million in matching funds for a total of $3 million.

ABC Thrive will bring together the latest research from basic, clinical and social sciences and share the information directly with parents, educators, health care providers and community stakeholders to positively impact outcomes for very young children.

Read the full article here.