The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) has launched the Early Child Care Development Initiative to help support Child Care Payment Program (CCPP) facilities.
The initiative aims to improve the quality of early childhood education in Mississippi by providing financial support to educators, teachers, and childcare providers through three programs.
“We’re proud to offer this program to Mississippi educators as it reflects our dedication to early childhood development and the professionals who shape our children’s futures,” Bob Anderson, director of MDHS, said. “By offering scholarships, incentives, and support during challenging times, we’re looking forward to the future growth of our state’s youngest residents.”
These programs include:
- Scholarship Payment Program – Supports eligible individuals currently employed by a CCPP provider as they pursue higher education in child development. Its goal is to lessen the financial burden associated with earning either a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential or an Early Childhood Development Technology Associate degree. Qualified applicants may receive up to $1,500 for a CDA or $1,500 in scholarships toward tuition over two semesters as long as awardees commit to remain in the childcare industry for one year following completion of the program.
- Direct Incentives Program – Rewards teachers at a CCPP-participating facility with monthly incentives. To qualify, teachers must stay employed at a CCPP-participating provider during the program and commit to childcare work for a year after program funding ends, subject to fund availability.
- School Age Reimbursement Program – Supports CCPP-participating childcare providers who cared for school-age children full-time during pandemic-related school closures. Providers who only received payment for part-time care may now be eligible for reimbursement to cover costs during this critical period, subject to available funding.
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