FOR PARENTS
Child Care & Support Services

inding reliable, high quality, affordable child care in Mississippi is a tough and important task for parents. We can offer some help. Below you’ll find information that will guide your search, including contacts for local referral agencies and advice on evaluating providers.

In addition, there is information about health services for children and expectant mothers, how to apply for the child care certificate program and EITC, legal assistance for violations in the chid care certificate program, a video on parenting (Right from Birth) and referrals to state agencies. While MLICCI does not make direct referrals, you can contact us if you have any problems applying or receiving CCDF assistance or for more information.

Choosing A Good Child Care Center

There are good check lists on finding care and on evaluating providers, as well as other useful information, at the web site of Child Care Aware.    TOP  »

Applying for Child Care Certificates

The child care certificate program helps pay part of the cost of child care for low-income parents. Parents applying for Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) certificates for child care have to do so through designated agents. See also the DHS overview for eligibility and localities. The full OCY manual is also available online. Be sure to confirm regulations with a DHS office before applying, as they are updated frequently. Tel. 1-800-877-7822 or 601-359-4544.    TOP  »

Headstart vs. Child Care Subsidies

To compare Head Start to the Child Care Certificate Program, see this chart.

Mississippi Child Care Resources
& Referral Network

Get help finding child care in the state from the Northeast, Northwest and Gulf Coast agencies, which are listed on this site.    TOP  »

Legal Remedies Project:
Addressing CCDF Violations

Free assistance for parents & providers

Parents and providers frequently report instances of DHS subcontractors obstructing, terminating, or disallowing payment for child care services. Through a partnership with the Mississippi Center for Justice (MCJ), MLICCI is working to identify serious violations in the CCDF program and remedy them through pro-bono legal assistance to parents and providers. The project also promotes reforms that would improve services to families.    TOP  »

Read about MLICCI’s recent victories establishing a fair appeals process for CCDF and repealing unfair restrictions on new centers.

To address serious infractions, contact the supervising attorney, Beth Orlansky of the Mississippi Center for Justice at 1-877-352-2269.    TOP  »

MS Health Benefits: Keeping Kids Healthy

Health Insurance is a benefit every Mississippi family needs—especially for their children. But for many working families, the cost of health insurance has been beyond their means. Health insurance through the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is now available for families earning up to 200% of the federal poverty level. Call toll free at 1 (877) 543-7669 to receive an application by mail or for more information how and where to apply or contact MLICCI.    TOP  »

Mississippi Health Benefits insurance is available for families with children from birth to age 19. Some children may qualify for Medicaid, and some may qualify for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Apply today to see if your family is eligible. Applications are available at your local health department, Mississippi Department of Human Services Office, and at other locations that serve children and families.    TOP  »

Preventive Services

Preventive Services are offered by the Mississippi State Health Department 1-(800) 489-7670. To access their website go to www.msdh.state.ms.us. The Health Department offers information, educational materials, and services related to aspects of public health. As your baby grows and develops, you might choose to request additional information about these and other health topics:

• WIC (Women, Infants and Children) – supplemental nutrition program for pregnant, postpartum, and breast-feeding women, infants, and children up to five years of age.
• Immunizations
• Disease Prevention
• Family Planning
• Licensed Child Care facilities    TOP  »

MS Early Intervention

Some children have special needs or have conditions that delay their development. First Steps identifies and helps these children and their families. The Mississippi State Department of Health is the lead agency for First Steps. For information on how to contact the Early Intervention system district coordinator nearest you, please call the toll free number 1 (800) 451-3903 or to access their website go to www.msdh.state.ms.us    TOP  »

If your child is three years or older, the Child Find Program provides Early Intervention Services for children three-to-five years old. To contact the Child Find Coordinator in your school district, call your local school superintendent's office or Contact the Mississippi Department of Education at their website at www.mde.k12.ms.us. There is a parent hotline at 1-877-544-0408"    TOP  »

Maternal Infant Health Outreach Worker (MIHOW)

MIHOW is a community-based home visiting program aimed at improving family health and early childhood development for low-income families. Outreach workers visit pregnant women and parents of young children in their homes, providing health and child development education, support for healthy lifestyles, and advocacy with health and social service agencies. MIHOW has 23 Program Sites across the state of Mississippi. For information about a site near you contact: Sonyia Kidd, Tel. (601) 266-6228.    TOP  »

Right From Birth: A Caregiver's Guide

Right from Birth is a television program and training series based on the best selling parenting guide: "Right From Birth: Building Your Child's Foundation for Life" by Drs. Craig and Sharon Ramey. Training is offered by MSETV to providers and parents throughout the state. For more information on the RFB program, visit the MSETV website or Tel. 601-432-6907. If you would like to arrange a special training session in your area, contact MLICCI and we can help make arrangements.    TOP  »

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

The Earned Income Tax Credit is a tax break for low income, elderly, and disabled people. If you earned income from a job or self employment, you may be eligible to receive up to $3,816 (depending on how many children are in your household). For more detailed information, link to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities or call The Children's Defense Fund, tel. (601) 321-1966 to see if you are eligible and to get forms to apply. Also see the MSIRSweb site for their offices and numbers.    TOP  »