Dear CCLT Members and Partners,

Thank you for your calls, messages, and advocacy during the 2026 Legislative Session! Because of you—providers, families, and partners—child care remained front and center in legislative conversations until the very end.

Unfortunately, the 2026 session ended with no new state funding for child care.

This was not due to a lack of need or available revenue—it was a choice.

This choice will continue to result in:

• Providers face continued financial strain, staffing shortages, and burnout.
• Families will have fewer affordable child care options.
• The workforce impact will grow as parents struggle to stay employed.

Here's a recap of what happened this session:

• The Senate passed a proposal with $15 million for child care, following your continued advocacy, showing bipartisan recognition of the crisis.
• Legislative champions—including members of the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus—fought for solutions at every stage.
• Momentum grew around using unspent TANF funds to support child care.
• However, final negotiations removed all additional funding.

Without investment, the system will continue to destabilize—putting providers at risk of reducing capacity or closing and leaving more families without care.

The work is not over.

There is still a path forward. The Mississippi Department of Human Services says it is exploring the use of TANF funds for child care subsidies, which could bring relief without waiting for the next legislative session. This decision could not happen any faster as distressed providers and working families wait in the meanwhile.

“’MDHS is still moving in the direction of converting additional TANF funds to childcare,’ said Mark Jones, chief communications officer for MDHS. ‘No decision on a final amount has been made. We anticipate an announcement in the near future.'"

So what's next? We will continue pushing for:

• Immediate TANF investment in child care
• Long-term, sustainable funding for CCPP
• Policies that support and stabilize providers

Stay tuned. Stay engaged. Stay ready. Your voice made a difference this session—and it will be critical in what comes next and in November at the ballot box.

In service,

Carol Burnett

Executive Director

Mississippi Child Care Changemakers:

Leading the Way to the Ballot Box

As we look ahead to the November 3, 2026 General Election, we are excited to invite you to this statewide training series that will equip you with tools to:

• Educate families about voting

• Connect civic engagement to child care and workforce issues

• Implement the “V is for Vote” curriculum

📍 Locations include:

Biloxi | Indianola | Tupelo | Jackson

✔ Open to Child Care Leadership Team Members, Staff, & Parents

✔ Employment Equity for Single Moms Providers

✔ Lunch will be provided

Register today by emailing us at info@mschildcare.org.

Together, we are building stronger communities — one voice at a time.