Many concerned citizens in Mississippi are finding solutions and working to provide optimal environments for children and their families. These success stories portray the results of countless hours of dedication, work and commitment of individuals and communities toward improving the lives of children and families across Mississippi. We have featured only four stories of success in Mississippi among numerous community-based programs that promote successful outcomes for children. It is a beginning.

It is our hope that these success stories will serve to stimulate thought and action for unique solutions that benefit Mississippi’s children.

SPARK MISSISSIPPI

Recognizing the need for smoother transitions to school and an alignment for pre-school and elementary school settings, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation in 2003 began working in seven states and the District of Columbia to align early childhood education with the K-12 system.  Mississippi was one of the seven to develop an initiative using community involvement to accomplish their goals.  From the initial discussions, SPARK (Supporting Partnerships to Assure Ready Kids) was conceived.  Administered by the Children’s Defense Fund Southern Regional Office, SPARK-Mississippi encourages partnerships among families, providers, community organizations, and K-12 schools to ensure that all children can learn and succeed in school.

Read the full story here

The Between the Lions
Preschool Literacy Initiative

Filmed at Mississippi Public Broadcasting ’s studios, Between the Lions is an award winning television series featuring a family of lions who live in the local library.  Designed to encourage children to “get wild about reading,” Between the Lions is broadcast daily on PBS stations across the nation.  MPB’s preschool literacy initiative builds on what the television series offers by providing a “centers-based” curriculum to child care centers in the Jackson area.  Early childhood specialists mentor classroom teachers and encourage them to create hands-on learning environments.  Rotarians in central Mississippi are partnering with Mississippi Public Broadcasting and are bringing the BTL curriculum to child care centers in central Mississippi.  Participating Rotary Clubs adopt child care centers, provide funding to implement the curriculum and train teachers.  Rotarians also volunteer their time reading to the children.

Read the full story here

The Coordinated School Health Program,
New Albany School District

In New Albany, a 4A school district in north Mississippi, promoting healthy lifestyles for students, staff and faculty is a way of life.  It’s a team effort supported by community partnerships and enhanced by teachers and administrators.  The district has been recognized by the United States Department of Agriculture as a Healthier US Challenge School and has been the recipient of the Mississippi Healthy School Board award by the Mississippi Office of Healthy Schools.   Exercise equipment is available to all staff and faculty at each school in the district, and flu vaccinations are provided at no cost to employees.  Each campus has a full time nurse who actively provides health care services and conducts regularly scheduled classroom educational programs with topics based on student suggestions.

Read the full story here

Jackson's Promise Coalition,
United Way of the Capital Area

Jackson’s Promise Coalition is part of America’s Promise Alliance, established in 1997 by General Colin Powell and his wife Alma with the goal of reducing the nation’s dropout rate in half by the year 2018. The key support areas or Five Promises are: caring adults, safe places, a healthy start, an effective education, and opportunities to help others.  The Jackson Promise Coalition seeks to fulfill these promises on behalf of the 31,000 students in the Jackson area.  Community partners provide student workshops and education programs, conduct book drives, and assist JPC in the distribution of a summer resource guide for students.  The youth- led Dropout Prevention Council meets monthly to discuss issues of the community as well as their personal lives.  In December the council held its first “Graduation Matters” conference at the Jackson Medical Mall and featured a “Don’t Drop Out” video contest in which students could write and star in their videos promoting the importance of high school graduation.

Read the full story here