Fall is in the air, and a fresh sense of renewal and opportunity comes with it. As the leaves begin to change, we are excited to share some new and exciting updates with you. This season, we are focused on advancing our vision for a state-of-the-art early childhood system, strengthening partnerships, and preparing for key milestones in the months ahead.
From our upcoming Steering Committee meetings to the launch of innovative initiatives, there is much to look forward to as we work together to create strong babies, healthy families, and thriving communities.
Stay tuned for more exciting news, events, and ways you can get involved as we continue on this journey!
Discover the Vision of the Forum For the Future
The Mississippi Forum For the Future is a collective of passionate individuals and organizations working toward a shared vision: a state-of-the-art childhood system that ensures every child has the opportunity to thrive. Our coalition brings together experts, advocates, educators, and community leaders who each play a unique and essential role in shaping a brighter future for Mississippi’s children and families.
In this video, we explore what makes the MS Forum For the Future so special. By fostering collaboration across sectors, we are paving the way for long-term, sustainable change. Each member of our coalition contributes invaluable insight and expertise, helping to build the foundation of a system that supports strong babies, healthy families, and vibrant communities.
Whether you are an early childhood professional, policymaker, or advocate, your role in this movement is critical. Together, we can make this vision a reality. Watch the video to learn more about how you can be part of this transformative effort.
A Look Back at the State of Babies Event
In August, we had the privilege of hosting the State of Babies event, where key stakeholders participated in focus groups to discuss pressing issues facing young children and families in Mississippi. These discussions are crucial in helping shape the plan for the future of early childhood systems in our state, ensuring that every child has the support they need to thrive.
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our esteemed speakers: Callie Poole, Valecia Kay Davis, and John Dillon Harris. Each of them brought vital data and fresh insights to the conversation, shedding light on the current landscape and opportunities for improving early childhood systems. Thank you for sharing your research and expertise with us.
The PowerPoint presentations from the event are accessible on the MS Forum For the Future Members Portal. Click the following link and log in to view: https://msforumforthefuture.org/member-login/
We look forward to continuing these important conversations and working together to support our state’s youngest citizens and their families.
Birth-to-Three Advocacy
Coalition of Mississippi
The MS Forum For the Future is excited to launch the Birth-to-Three Advocacy Coalition of Mississippi, an initiative dedicated to improving early childhood education across the state. This coalition is full of passionate parents, caregivers, and child care providers who want to advocate for quality early education.
About the Coalition:
The coalition aims to mobilize community members to advocate for affordable child care, sustainable funding, and fair compensation for child care teachers. As a member, participants will receive training, resources, and support to help drive meaningful change for young children and families
in Mississippi.
Birth-to-Three Advocacy
Coalition of Mississippi
Mark your calendars! The Senate Study Group for Women and Children will convene on November 14th and 19th to address key issues impacting women, infants, and children in Mississippi. The hearings will cover topics such as healthcare access, early childhood education, and essential support services for families.
These hearings are critical opportunities for advocates and stakeholders to influence policy decisions that will directly affect the well-being families across the state.
Stay tuned for more details on how you can get involved and make your voice heard during these important events!
Child Care: A Key to Solving Mississippi’s Labor Force Challenges
Mississippi’s labor force participation challenges have garnered increasing attention from economic researchers, media outlets, and state officials. The Mississippi Early Learning Alliance (MELA) recently released a groundbreaking report titled, “Child Care: A Critical Piece of Mississippi’s Labor Force Puzzle,” authored by Biz Harris, MELA Executive Director. The report delves into how the lack of accessible and affordable child care is a significant barrier for parents with young children, preventing them from fully participating in the workforce.
The report highlights the intricate dynamics of the child care system in Mississippi, pointing to supply-and-demand issues and the financial strain it places on both providers and parents. It underscores how these challenges not only limit parents’ ability to work but also stifle opportunities for further education and career advancement.
The report has started to gain traction with several local and national publications using its findings to spread the word and elevate the conversation around labor force challenges in Mississippi. By focusing on the connection between child care and economic growth, this report serves as a critical resource for stakeholders looking to improve labor force participation and create long-term economic benefits for the state.
As Biz Harris put it, “Addressing the child care crisis is not just about supporting families; it’s about unlocking the full economic potential of our state.”
We are thrilled to welcome several new members to the Mississippi Forum For the Future!
Please join us in welcoming:
Cantrell Keyes
Tonya Ware
Aimee Holmes
Katie Cassady
Valecia Davis
Suzette Matthews
Each of these individuals brings unique talents and perspectives that will undoubtedly help us move closer to our shared vision of a state-of-the-art childhood system for Mississippi. We are excited to collaborate and work together to make a lasting impact!
If you are passionate about improving early childhood education and family support systems, we invite you to join us as well! There is a place for everyone at the Mississippi Forum For the Future – your voice and contribution can help shape the future of Mississippi’s children.
Let’s continue building a brighter tomorrow together!
Stay connected with the latest early childhood news by joining the Mississippi Early Childhood News on Groups.io. Receive important updates, participate in discussions, and collaborate with fellow professionals committed to improving the early childhood community in Mississippi.
Why Join?
- Get timely updates on legislation, events and key developments.
- Engage with peers and experts.
- Access valuable resources and contribute to our collective mission.
MS Early Childhood Calendar
We are excited to launch the Mississippi Early Childhood Meetings & Events Calendar! Created by the Mississippi Forum For the Future with support from the Mississippi Early Learning Alliance, this calendar consolidates events and meetings across the state for easy access.
You can view the calendar on the FFtF website’s Resources page. To add your events, simply fill out a form and submit it to the calendar moderators.