Advocacy

Putting Children First

Strengthening communities must start with ensuring justice for all of our children. From education, healthcare and childcare, to taxation, affordable housing and more, each decision made by elected officials has a direct impact on the quality of life for all of Mississippi’s children. Ensuring that Mississippi’s children have quality schools, access to preventive healthcare measures and live in safe neighborhoods that provide affordable childcare care options that support working parents are essential to building a foundation for the next generation of leaders.

This year, the United States will spend less than 10 percent of its budget on programs addressing the needs of young people. ChildrensBudget.org is the first dynamic, interactive website that gives you the tools to fully explore how the federal government invests taxpayer resources in our children.

Every Mississippian should know where elected officials stand on issues that directly impact the quality of life we provide for Mississippi’s kids. The Mississippi Center for Justice is working with First Focus to provide information to the public about these issues.

On the right hand side of this screen, you’ll find policy papers and fact sheets that provide more information about the status of children across Mississippi and throughout the nation.

We encourage all Mississippians to follow up with elected officials and encourage them to make children a priority in the federal budget this year.

Affordable Childcare for Low-Income Families

Mississippi typically has leftover TANF funds that are unused and unallocated. The Mississippi Center for Justice, along with partners like the Mississippi Low-Income Childcare Initiative, advocate for using these funds to support affordable childcare for low-income families. View this video to learn more:

Access to Healthcare

In Mississippi, eligible children can receive free or low-cost health insurance that provides preventive care to keep them healthy and help them grow up strong. However, administrative barriers make it difficult for eligible citizens to actually enroll. In addition to advocating for the removal of these barriers, the Mississippi Center for Justice distributes brochures statewide to provide public education about the benefits and enrollment requirements of this insurance. See the information on right hand side of this page for brochures specific to various regions of the state.

You can also access information about national health care reform and what it means to you. Families USA has several resources to help you underdstand how health care reform will help states.