This summer, the MELA team has been in and out of the office, but we have been celebrating meaningful progress for babies, families, and early educators in Mississippi as a result of the recent special session! At the end of May, when our legislators met for the special session, the Mississippi Department of Human Services secured a historic $15 million for the Child Care Payment Program (CCPP) — a significant increase from previous years! This critical investment will serve to bolster the child care payment program at a time when the program is facing cuts and a budget shortfall. While it is not the $42 to $46 million that was needed to maintain the number of children in the program before April 2025, this increase from last year’s budget will keep more Mississippi parents in the workforce while ensuring children receive quality care!
We are especially grateful for the strong leadership of Dr. Chad Allgood, Director of the MDHS Division of Early Childhood Care and Development, and MDHS Executive Director, Bob Anderson, who championed this effort.
We are also celebrating that pre-K funding was maintained, protecting programs that support our youngest learners. And as a result of legislation passed in March, state employees who are primary caregivers will be eligible for six weeks of paid family leave as of January 2026 — a major step forward for family well-being.
There is always more work to be done to ensure our children have the support, education, and care they need, but we want to be sure to celebrate the hard work and dedication of our partners and leaders when babies and families get a win!