The Mississippi Early Learning Alliance (MELA) provides backbone support for virtual events hosted throughout the year by the Mississippi Early Learning Resources shared services platform, the Mississippi Forum for the Future, and MELA itself. These online gatherings are designed to inform, connect, and equip child care providers, educators, policymakers, and community leaders with tools and knowledge that strengthen Mississippi’s early childhood systems.
From timely policy discussions to practical trainings and expert-led talks, our virtual events make it easy to stay engaged and access resources that matter most—no matter where you are in the state.
Your Voice Matters: Understanding Benefits Access & Taking the EASSE Survey
December 4, 2025
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Speaker: Mary-Catherine McCreary, ACLU-MS Policy Analyst
The EASSE Project is a collaborative initiative aimed at eliminating barriers to accessing vital public benefit programs such as SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, and the Child Care Subsidy Program. In partnership with Jackson State University’s Mississippi Urban Research Center (MURC), the ACLU of Mississippi is conducting in-depth research to identify which aspects of the eligibility and application processes pose the greatest challenges for low-income families. This initiative presents a unique opportunity to hold Mississippi policymakers and administrators accountable by advocating for equitable and transparent policies and procedures. Additionally, EASSE is committed to empowering beneficiaries by increasing awareness of their rights and providing education on how to navigate the system effectively. The EASSE survey gathers experiences from individuals and families across the state, whether families received assistance, were denied benefits, or faced barriers in the process, to identify where systems fall short and how they can be improved.