A new report from the United States Commission on Civil Rights says child care may not be accessible for enough of Mississippi's single parents. Advocates argue the federal and state government should provide more payment assistance programs for low-income parents and fund statewide child care programs for Mississippi's low-income children.
Deloris Suel is President of the Child Care Director's Network. She says the Department of Human Services doesn't communicate enough with parents or child care centers.
"They should understand our plight, and they should talk with us. We're legal assistants, we're social workers, we're mothers. We have to do everything in order to help these young parents," says Suel.
Laura Dickson is with DHS. She says the Department of Human Services updates clients through email, mail, and in some cases by phone - particularly when there's a change in policy.
"We really do try to keep people informed and give them the information that they need so that they can be successful and staying on the program, and remaining in compliance with the program," says Dickson.
The report also found that Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, or TANF, had dollars left on the table that could be used to pay for child care in the state.
But, Dickson says only certain TANF dollars can be spent on child care.
"The agency looks at the amount that's allowed to be transferred. That amount is what we receive in our division for the use of child care subsidy," Dickson says.
DHS is looking to revise current child care policies.
