WE SERVE AS THE BACKBONE FOR FORUM FOR THE FUTURE
Forum for the Future is a movement to transform the early care and education system in Mississippi. More specifically, it’s a coalition of childcare providers, early childhood organizations, business leaders, and policymakers working to break down silos and leverage our combined resources and expertise to accomplish commons goals. Right now, the common goal is: By 2030, Mississippi’s childcare system will be state-of-the-art, fueled by robust data, resources, and cross-sector collaboration to meet the needs of all children & families.
The Mississippi Early Learning Alliance serves as the backbone for the coalition, meaning that we are responsible for keeping the work moving forward and providing structure and support to all members.
WE SUPPORT MISSISSIPPI CHILD CARE PROVIDERS THROUGH A SHARED SERVICES WEBSITE
Mississippi Early Learning Resources (MSEarlyLearningResources.org) is designed to help childcare directors and providers reduce costs, strengthen their business practices, and focus on what matters most: providing high-quality care and education to Mississippi kids.
WE PROMOTE THE PROFESSIONAL ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN OF COLOR
Too often, women of color have been expected to “leave parts of themselves at the door” in professional settings. Women of color frequently do not receive the respect, trust, and professional opportunities their qualifications and expertise demand. Across many fields – including early childhood care and education – women of color are not given access to the leadership roles that they ready and equipped to hold.
To help disrupt this unacceptable status quo, MELA created the Leading from Strength Empowerment Network. This network is designed to promote the professional advancement of highly-qualified women of color working in early childhood care and education. Members of each Leading from Strength cohort will engage in a series of learning experiences over the course of one year. These experiences are designed to honor and elevate members’ wisdom and lived experiences, foster collaboration among women across disciplines, and provide professional leadership training. We recognize each woman as the author and authenticator of her own growth and development – as such, Leading from Strength activities and experiences are designed to help women capitalize on their own inner strength and power.
WE PARTNER WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO MEET URGENT NEEDS
Child Care Clean + (also referred to as CCC+) is a program made possible through House Bill 1782, which appropriated $3 million to the North Mississippi Education Consortium to distribute personal protective equipment (PPE) and sanitation supplies to licensed childcare providers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The appropriation was the result of the collective advocacy efforts from several child care directors, the Mississippi Early Learning Alliance (MELA), the Children’s Defense Fund, and the Graduate Center for the Study of Early Learning.
Because of CCC+, 842 licensed childcare providers were awarded over $3500 to purchase PPE and cleaning supplies. Click the button to watch the video and learn more.