Early Childhood Capitol Day
February 5, 2026
2026 Objectives
ADVOCATE TOGETHER
Advance key early childhood legislation including paid parental leave for teachers, removal of the diaper tax, maintaining or increasing CCPP funding, equitable TANF investments, and exploring models such as Tri-Share or state-supported food security programs.
STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIPS
Use Capitol Day as a statewide touchpoint to connect organizations, aligning messaging, and identify opportunities for year-round collaboration.
BUILD SHARED POWER
Encourage partners to co-lead conversations and elevate each other’s expertise.
ENGAGE BIPARTISAN LAWMAKERS
Meet with legislators in relationship-centered conversations grounded in shared values and local community insights.
Agenda – Tentative
| When | What | Where | Who |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM | Check-in & Registration | Capitol Rotunda First Floor | All Attendees |
| 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Capitol Day Tabling *This is our Home Base between activities | Capitol Rotunda First Floor | All Attendees |
| About 9:30 AM | Introduction in Senate and House Chambers | 4th Floor Galleries | All Interested Attendees |
| 9:30 AM | Capitol Tour #1 OPTIONAL *Tour registrations are closed | First Floor Tour Desk | RSVP’d Attendees |
| 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | -Attendees meeting with or desiring to meet with Legislators -Updates about legislative agenda -Legislator meeting support -Meetings location for Legislators by geography and issue area -Storybanking and story recording | Room 113 First Floor | All Attendees *As Needed |
| 11:00 AM | Capitol Tour #2 OPTIONAL *Tour registrations are closed | First Floor Tour Desk | RSVP’d Attendees |
| 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM | Press Conference | 2nd Floor Stairs | All Attendees |
| 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM | Networking Luncheon | Galloway United Methodist Church | Attendees who Registered and Completed required Virtual Advocacy Trainings (Novice or Experienced) |
Location and Directions
400 High Street, Jackson, MS 39201
Driving Directions to south side (front) of Capitol (Mississippi Street)
From I-55: Take Exit 96-B, go west along High Street, turn south onto State Street, then west onto Mississippi Street
*For those outside of the Jackson Metro area, there has been road work occurring on I-55 that may affect drive time. If you can, check GPS for alternate routes and drive times.
WHERE TO PARK
- In the First Baptist Church lot (High Street before President Street)
- The Two Mississippi Museums Parking Deck (Jefferson Street between Amite and Mississippi Street)
- The street near the Old Capitol Inn
266 N State Street, Jackson, MS 39201 - The lot by the Eudora Welty Public Library
300 N State Street, Jackson, MS 39201
WHAT TO WEAR
Business attire or nice Business Casual attire
Who is your Legislator?
Use the link below to find your Mississippi Legislators and confirm who represents you.
Mississippi Early Childhood
Legislative Bill Tracker
To help partners and advocates stay informed during the legislative session, the Forum has created a Prenatal-to-5 Bill Tracker to monitor legislation moving through the Mississippi Legislature that impacts early childhood.
Forum’s GroupMe
We are excited to introduce GroupMe as a new way to stay connected with the Forum. By signing up, you will receive real-time messages during Capitol Day, timely updates on legislation and bill movement, and notifications about Forum-specific content and opportunities.
How to join:
Download the GroupMe app on your phone or access it online.
Use the link below to join the Forum’s GroupMe.
Turn on notifications to receive timely updates.