MELA partnered with the Systems Change Lab of the Social Science Research Center at Mississippi State University, Excel by 5, and the Graduate Center for the Study of Early Learning to host the fourth annual Early Childhood Capitol Day on January 18, 2023. This year’s in-person Capitol Day focused on the critical role that policy supports for childcare, postpartum healthcare, and early intervention services play in strengthening Mississippi’s workforce and overall economy.

During Capitol Day, we shared four specific policy recommendations with lawmakers and the public:

Resolve the childcare staffing crisis by allocating lottery funds (or other unallocated funds) to a program that provides professional development and wage supplements directly to participating childcare staff.  

Increase single parents’ access to childcare by removing the requirement that they cooperate with child support enforcement to be eligible for the Child Care Payment Program (CCPP). 

Create long-term cost-savings by reducing health problems and deaths associated with pregnancy: Continue Medicaid coverage through 12 months postpartum.

Create an Early Intervention task force and pilot project to study methods and models to increase the number of children served, keep qualified early intervention practitioners in the state, reduce special education costs when children enter school, and improve the lives of Mississippi children and families in need.

If the Mississippi legislature takes action on these four policy recommendations, we can create a domino effect that reduces cross-sector worker shortages, cuts red tape, and strengthens our economy.

These recommendations are grounded in research and community input. We’ve heard from early education providers and families across the state, and we listened to the data and expert testimony shared this past fall during senate hearings on the needs of women, children, and families. We’ve also reviewed the Governor’s state budget recommendations, and recommendations made by the State Early Childhood Advisory Council. Our policy recommendations are a reflection of the growing movement to invest in young children and families, while also centering workforce needs.

We held a press conference to discuss these recommendations, which was was covered by 16 WAPT News Jackson. Nine speakers, including business leaders, early childhood experts, and grassroots advocates, shared statistics and their personal experiences to make the case for each recommendation. Speakers included:

Over a dozen early childhood organizations in Mississippi support all four recommendations.

We conducted an online survey with childcare providers and other early childhood professionals, parents, and business leaders to gauge support for these recommendations. We received 90 responses.

• 96% of respondents support allocating lottery funds (or other unallocated funds) to a program that provides professional development and wage supplements directly to participating childcare staff.  
• 69% of respondents support removing the requirement that single parents cooperate with child support enforcement to be eligible for the Child Care Payment Program (CCPP). 
• 91% of respondents support continuing Medicaid coverage through 12 months postpartum.
• 84% of respondents support the creation of an Early Intervention task force and pilot project.

Capitol Day 2023 in Review

NEXT STEPS

Resources from Previous Capitol Days

Capitol Day 2022 Videos

Childcare Issues & Opportunities in Mississippi

One of our goals for our 2022 Capitol Day was to highlight childcare issues and opportunities in Mississippi, and to engage with legislators around these topics. Of course, we at MELA recognize that childcare providers don’t need us to speak for them, so we recorded interviews with several childcare providers and early childhood professionals in order to amplify their voices and perspectives.

The video explores several key topics with childcare providers across the state, including:

• The critical importance of education-focused childcare for young children (starting with children ages 0-3)
• The potential benefits of integrating childcare with existing programs and infrastructure, such as the Early Learning Collaboratives
• The challenges of giving educators the resources and compensation they need while maintaining affordable rates for families
• The ways that providers are stepping up to meet the needs of Mississippi children and families, despite various challenges

We created this video for use with Mississippi legislators, in conjunction with our 2022 Early Childhood Development Capitol Day. However, Mississippi parents’ ability to find and afford consistent, education-focused childcare affects us all – from parents to teachers to business owners and more. Watch the video below to learn more!

Mississippi Legislator Panel

MELA pre-recorded a panel with Mississippi legislators to get their thoughts on several key topics within early education and childcare. Our panel features Representative Kent McCarty and Representative John Hines. Representative McCarty serves District 101 (Lamar county), and was selected because of his position as Vice Chairman of the House Education Committee. Representative Hines serves district 50 (Bolivar, Issaquena, Washington), and was selected for his membership in the House Public Health and Human Services committee. The questions we asked our panel members are designed to reference our Childcare Issues & Opportunities video, as well as feedback and questions we’ve heard from childcare providers and early childhood advocates across the state.

Key Resources from Breakout Sessions

Find key resources that were shared in each of our Capitol Day 2022 breakout sessions in the table below.

We’re proud of our Capitol Day tradition.

Check out these photos from our 2021 Virtual Capitol day!