We have all heard and seen the statistics in Mississippi – the state ranks 51st in percentage of children living in poverty, highest in poverty rates and people with the lowest incomes, and 50th based on overall measures of human capital. The numbers don’t paint a great picture, but Mississippi is working hard to lift the families with the lowest incomes out of poverty and improve the state’s prospects for success.
Through its gen+approach, Mississippi is working towards building a healthy Mississippi through a multi-generational, collaborative approach that addresses the barriers associated with poverty and an intentional focus on working with the family as a whole. By connecting SNAP, TANF, community colleges, and other income supports, MS is ensuring that training and education is connected to available jobs to support parents in securing “career jobs” that will help them achieve lasting economic stability.
In partnership with Families First for MS, the state Department of Human Services is ensuring that County Offices throughout MS are supporting the “whole family” through parenting education and parenting skills development. The expanded program will utilize partnerships with state and community agencies to both fill in service gaps and guarantee that quality services are not being unnecessarily replicated. Watch the video below to learn how the MS gen + approach is directly impacting the lives of real citizens to build a “Better Mississippi.”
*Source: http://www.tpcref.org/facts-about-education-in-mississippi/