We support Mississippi Child Care Providers through a Shared Services Website
Mississippi Early Learning Resources is a one-stop location for early childhood care and education policies, forms, regulations, guidance, discounts, and more to help childcare providers save time, reduce costs, and improve quality.
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.