The Children's Foundation of Mississippi

10/29/2026

For many Mississippi parents, child care is one of the hardest bills to plan around.

Our new statewide poll of Mississippi voters with First Five Years Fund found that nearly half of parents (48%) say child care costs keep them from saving or getting ahead. More than a third (36%) are cutting back on other essentials to pay for care.

The concern reaches beyond parents. 45% of voters say they or someone they know would consider going to work if quality child care were available, and 54% worry young families may leave Mississippi because care is out of reach. Mississippians also see the value of starting early: 83% agree early learning helps children prepare for school.

These findings will help inform our work with policymakers and partners as we advance solutions that support young children, strengthen families, and expand opportunity across Mississippi.

Link to full memo: https://www.mississippifirst.org/new-poll-mississippi-voters-say-early-care-and-education-prepares-kids-for-school-and-parents-for-work/

10/28/2026

What does the latest KIDS COUNT data mean for Mississippi families? Let’s talk about it together.

Join us Tuesday, Nov. 10, at the MPB Auditorium for Families Count: Child and Family Well-Being in Jackson, a free public forum hosted by and in partnership with the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Our executive director, Dr. Ashley Parker Sheils, will open the evening with a look at the newest KIDS COUNT data. Then come conversations on navigating Medicaid changes and opening pathways for young people, with time for your questions.

📍 MPB Auditorium, Jackson, MS
🗓️ Tuesday, Nov. 10 | 5:30 p.m.
🎟️ Free with RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/families-count-child-and-family-well-being-in-mississippi-tickets-2002576386881?aff=ChildrensFoundationMS

10/28/2026

Back in August, we invited Mississippi students in grades K–8 to share their creativity, dreams, and love for our state through original artwork. 🎨✨ We wanted to see Mississippi through the eyes of our youngest residents.

We’ve been so impressed by the creativity, imagination, and heart behind the submissions we’ve received, and we’re excited to begin spotlighting some of our favorite pieces! 🖍️🌟 This is just the first round of artwork we’ll be sharing, so stay tuned for more incredible young artists from across our state!

A huge thank-you to every student, teacher, school, and family who participated. 🍎📚 We’re so grateful you shared your talent with us!

10/28/2026

10/26/2026

Save the date!! We’re headed to Meridian! 📍

Join the Children’s Foundation of Mississippi on April 8, 2027, at The Riley Center for our 6th Annual Summit, Routes to Results: Connecting Data & People to Improve Outcomes for Mississippi’s Children.
We look forward to bringing together people who care about Mississippi’s children and families to share ideas, build relationships, and turn what we know into meaningful action. We’re also so excited to welcome Dr. Tommy Mabry as our keynote speaker!

Help shape the conversation at our Summit! Our Call for Proposals is officially open! We invite professionals to share practical tools, successful strategies, research, and lessons from the field that can help improve outcomes for Mississippi’s children and families.

We welcome proposals focused on the four Mississippi KIDS COUNT indicator areas:
-Health
-Economic Well-Being
-Education
-Family and Community

Interested in presenting? Submit your proposal here:
https://www.childrensfoundationms.org/initiatives/annual-summit

Attendee registration will be opening soon, so stay tuned for more Summit announcements and details! Mark your calendar, share with a friend, and make plans to join us in Meridian!

10/26/2026

Today kicks off U.S. Media Literacy Week, and we’re excited to introduce Mindful Media, the Children’s Foundation of Mississippi’s new Digital Wellness initiative. Media and technology are woven into children’s everyday lives, and conversations about screen time, social media, artificial intelligence, online safety, learning, relationships, and well-being are happening everywhere.

Over the last several months, our team has been learning more about these conversations, looking at the research and data, and listening to people whose experiences bring different perspectives to the table. Through Mindful Media, we’ll continue that work by pairing research and data with expert insight, real conversations, and lived experiences to explore how media and technology intersect with children’s lives.

There may not always be one simple answer. Our goal is to better understand the opportunities, challenges, and questions surrounding digital wellness and share information that can help families, educators, and communities make thoughtful, informed decisions for the children they support.

Follow along for Media Mondays as we share research, conversations, resources, practical tools, and voices from across Mississippi and beyond!

Different perspectives. One shared priority: children’s well-being. For Mississippi to reach its potential, our children must reach theirs.

10/19/2026

Calling all Bulldogs and friends! 🐾💜

The Children’s Foundation of Mississippi is teaming up with the Mississippi State University Alumni Association’s Central Mississippi Chapter for a virtual KIDS COUNT Data Road Show!

Join us TOMORROW as we explore what the data tells us about the well-being of Mississippi’s children and families, and how we can work together to build brighter futures for communities across our state.

PLUS, attendees will have a chance to win door prizes! 🎁

📅 Tuesday, October 20 at 6:00 PM
💻 Join us on Zoom!
Meeting ID: 469 573 8821
Passcode: bulldog

We hope to see you there!!

09/08/2026

Mississippi kids, we want to see your art!

We’re inviting students in Kindergarten through 8th grade across Mississippi to share their creativity, experiences, and dreams through original artwork inspired by one of our four prompts.

Students should also include a sentence with their artwork, such as “I love Mississippi because…”, “Mississippi is special because…”, or “I am proud to be from Mississippi because…”

We can’t wait to see Mississippi through the eyes of our youngest artists! Artwork is due September 18, 2026. See the graphic for prompts and submission details.

Questions? Email [email protected]

09/02/2026

Adventure awaited in Vicksburg! 🌟

We had such a fun afternoon at the Mississippi LIFT Resource and Referral Center in Vicksburg, helping families explore the space, play together, and see how everyday moments can become brain-building opportunities.

Inspired by Vroom Tips and the power of playful, back-and-forth interactions between children and the adults who care for them, we created a family Brain Development Passport to guide families through activities already available at the R&R. As families played, explored, and learned together, they stamped each completed adventure in their passport, just like collecting stamps while traveling!

The passports also included Vroom Tips families could try during the event or take home for later, along with more resources to help make talking, playing, reading, waiting, and everyday routines opportunities for connection and learning.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Adventure Awaits! We loved spending the afternoon showing families how much learning can happen through simple moments together. 💛

08/20/2026

Represent your favorite team and shop with the Children's Foundation of MS!

Join us at Kendra Scott in Highland Village on September 3 from 12–4 p.m. for light refreshments, school spirit sparkle, and a fun way to give back!

Can’t make it to Highland Village? You can shop online through midnight on September 5. Use code GIVEBACK-MMXYR at checkout, and 20% of your purchase will benefit the Children's Foundation of Mississippi.

Tag a friend, share this post, and come shop with us!