EXCELSIOR SPRINGS – The Substance Abuse Free Environments, or SAFE, Coalition recognized the Excelsior Springs Early Childhood Center staff with the Community Champion Award. The program is designed to recognize each of 40 developmental assets found important to a child’s positive development and success in life. The December award focused on adults who encourage children to care about school. “Studies clearly show us that children that have a positive attitude about their school and education are much more likely to grow into healthy, well-adjusted adults,” SAFE Program Director Julia Mees said. “The staff at the ECC has served preschool kids every day this school year. They come to work because they know that the consistency and love they provide kids is a key piece of each child’s day,” Principal Katie Andreasen said in nominating her staff. Andreasen said the teachers, paraeducators, educational specialists, family advocates, nurses, and secretaries and custodians – every…