HYDE-SMITH HIGHLIGHTS RURAL FAMILY RESOURCE HUB LEGISLATION DURING VISIT

HYDE-SMITH HIGHLIGHTS RURAL FAMILY RESOURCE HUB LEGISLATION DURING VISIT

Miss. Senator Introduces 'Rural Mothers and Fathers Choice Act'

BROOKHAVEN, Miss. - U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today used a visit to an educational and family resource program in Brookhaven to highlight legislation she introduced to help rural and tribal communities establish resource hubs to strengthen families while improving educational outcomes and economic opportunities.

Hyde-Smith on Wednesday attended an open house for the Mississippi LIFT Resource & Referral Network site and highlighted her recent introduction of the Rural Mothers and Fathers Choice Act (S.5364) - a bill to create a federal grant program to strengthen rural and tribal communities through place-based investments in education, workforce development, childcare, health care access, and family support services.

"Expanding access to high-quality early learning environments is critical to improving educational outcomes, supporting healthy child development, and promoting long-term family stability," Hyde-Smith said.

"I introduced the Rural Mothers and Fathers Choice Act to help rural communities expand access to childcare, literacy and tutoring programs, career and technical education partnerships, and other locally driven services," the Senator added. "By giving communities greater flexibility to tailor these investments to their unique needs, my bill would strengthen families, improve educational outcomes, and expand economic opportunities across rural Mississippi."

S.5364 would allow eligible nonprofits, tribal organizations, local governments, and community partnerships to compete for federal grants to address these challenges through locally designed solutions. Funding could support family resource hubs, literacy and tutoring programs, childcare expansion, telehealth services, workforce development initiatives, career and technical education partnerships, transportation assistance, and behavioral health services.

The Mississippi LIFT Resource & Referral Network at Mississippi State University Extension Service connects families, educators, and childcare providers with valuable early childhood resources and support. It provides educational resources, referral services, and family engagement opportunities for early childhood professionals and families across the state. In addition, it helps families find childcare options and connects them with workforce development and educational opportunities.

The Delta Health Alliance, which supports Hyde-Smith's legislation, also operates resource and referral programs throughout the Mississippi Delta.

The Rural Mothers and Fathers Choice Act has been referred to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.

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