MEMBER PORTAL

How We’ll Define Success

Our Agenda

What does it mean to build a
state-of-the-art childcare system?

We know that a “state-of-the-art” early child care system looks different to everyone; however, we knew that we needed to define what state-of-the-art means to Forum for the Future in order to build a common agenda for change. 

To create this definition, we combined grassroot insights with state-level data and national research.

We spent nearly two years listening and talking to child care providers, early childhood agency leaders, parents, policymakers, and business leaders about how they would like to see child care change in Mississippi and what building blocks need to be in place to improve the early care and education system. Throughout this process, we researched promising new practices from other states and kept current with national data on child care workforce issues, quality improvement, and access to care. 

The Forum for the Future’s Steering Committee was tasked with taking all of this information, combining it with their own lived expertise, and creating a comprehensive definition of “a state-of-the-art early child care system” in Mississippi. 

Our Target Outcomes

Childcare is a Stable, Competitive and Respected Field

  • Mississippi is able to recruit and maintain a robust early care and education workforce in the state
  • Early care and education professionals receive adequate compensation, benefits, and opportunities for advancement.

Families have increased access to affordable childcare

  • Affordable childcare is available to more families across the state.
  • Communities experience greater economic security and greater community wellbeing.

 

Improved health, academic, and economic outcomes through early education programs

  • Approaches to teaching, caregiving, etc. are evidence-based and linked to positive child outcomes.
  • Long term positive outcomes for children, including reduced dropout rates, higher graduation rates, fewer suspensions or expulsions, etc. 
  • Greater economic security in communities, greater community well-being.

The childcare system is supported by sustained resources and investment 

  • Resources are allocated specifically for early childhood. Resources do not come exclusively from larger funding pots that must be repurposed for early childhood.
  • Investments are SUSTAINED (not short-term grants or one-time expenditures) and reflect a strong understanding of the high return produced by early childhood investments.
Looking to the future

As we look to the Future, the MS Forum For the Future’s Steering Committee is researching and collecting data to include three pillars:

Strong Families

Healthy Babies

Early Care & Education