Connecting Hope

By Mississippi Department of Human Services

Connecting Hope is a production of the Mississippi Department of Human Services. Join us as we explore the people, policies, and programs that bridge the gap from hopelessness to hope for Mississippia... more

· Government

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FAQs about Connecting Hope:

How many episodes does Connecting Hope have?

The podcast currently has 7 episodes available.

Connecting Hope episodes:

June 13, 2025Connecting Hope: Ep 7 ESF6 Mass Care: Turning Chaos Into Coordination During Disasters
A discussion about the emergency support function six Mass Care and how it relates and serves during disasters.
(00:00) - Opening
(00:55) - Introduction of guests
(02:03) - What is an Emergency Support Function?
(06:28) - What does Mass Care do?
(22:27) - The effect of the lack of coordination
(27:10) - Tips to prepare for storms/Mass Care services
(30:44) - Food supply challenges
(34:53) - Long-Term Recovery
(41:20) - Avoiding negative effects of the economy on a community after a disaster
(48:18) - Closing thoughts on Mass Care
...more
52min
May 28, 2025Exploring TANF and SNAP Work Requirements
Suzanne Lafever and Justin Rushing of MDHS Division of Workforce Development and Partnership Management talks with Mark Jones regarding the work that they do across Mississippi to help connect the clients of MDHS to the programs that help them enter and remain in the workforce.
(00:31) - Introduction of guests
(02:58) - Employment and Training
(03:39) - TANF Work Program Requirements
(09:04) - Skills to Work Program
(17:55) - Partnerships and the RFP Process
(26:06) - ABAWDs
(29:38) - A Skills to Work Success story
(32:08) - How can an entity become a partner with MDHS
(37:53) - How to contact MDHS
(40:13) - Upcoming developments
...more
45min
March 07, 2025Strengthening the Future of Child Care
Dr. Chad Allgood sits down with Mark Jones to share exciting updates on Mississippi LIFT, including its expansion from 16 to over 50 sites statewide and the introduction of the Mobile R&R—bringing vital support to families in every community.
Plus, Dr. Allgood unveils Elevate (26:20), a groundbreaking Quality Support System designed to strengthen early childhood education programs in Mississippi. Tune in to learn how MDHS is shaping the future of childcare, building a stronger industry today, and fostering the growth of children for
To learn more and find the MS LIFT social media: https://mississippithrive.com/
(01:26) - Understanding Quality Support in Childcare
(05:22) - The Expansion of Resource & Referral Centers
(13:14) - The impact of Mobile R&Rs on Rural Mississippi
(14:45) - Specialized Support: Early Intervention & Special Needs Services
(21:52) - Elevate: Transforming Childcare Quality Support
(23:26) - Future Growth & Continuous Improvement
(33:42) - Helping child care programs identify their strengths
(41:16) - Elevate: The Start of Something new
...more
44min
November 14, 2024In Their Own Words: Child Care Providers Speak
In this follow-up episode, we sit down with Dr. Chad Allgood from the Division of Early Childhood Care and Development, joined by three child care providers from across the state. These providers offer insights into what it’s like to be a child care provider in 2024 and discuss how the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) and the Child Care Payment Program support them on a daily basis.
“The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the Mississippi Department of Human Services. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "Mississippi Department of Human Services" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.”
(01:15) - Meet our Guests
(07:23) - What is the state of child care in Mississippi
(11:44) - The critical need of qualified staff
(19:23) - How the pandemic exposed the fractures in the child care system and how we are working to fixed them.
(23:27) - The impact on the inability of a center to operate at a full capacity
(33:46) - The importance of prioritizing child care for a better tomorrow
(45:24) - The importance of collaboration and quality support in the childcare industry is to K-12 success.
(47:19) - How does early child care impact the school districts?
(50:44) - Closing thoughts on the importance of child care in Mississippi
...more
59min
August 29, 2024Child Care Successes & Challenges
In this episode will be talking with Dr. Chad Allgood of the Division of Early Childhood Care and Development about how the Child Care Payment Program supports the Mississippi workforce and lays the foundation for Mississippi's youngest residents to succeed in their quest for lifelong learning. The CCDF serves over 32,000 Mississippi families access the best possible early childhood care and education for their children, as well as supporting providers in the services of child care across the state of Mississippi.
(00:00) - Chapter 1
(01:13) - Child Care Development Fund
(03:49) - DECCD efforts to strengthen and enhance child care
(08:04) - Child Care Development Fund spending requirements.
(10:32) - DECCD Funding Streams
(13:32) - Child care is still a human service function
(17:23) - Resource and Referral Sites
(22:06) - Mobile Resource and Referral Sites
(23:17) - Developmental Resources
(26:01) - Training for parents and child care providers
(27:49) - Challenges of sustaining child care
(34:45) - Challenges of getting quality child care workers
(37:45) - Must invest in child care
...more
42min
July 18, 2024Mississippi's 2024 Legislative Session
Executive Director Bob Anderson and Legislative Affairs and Senior Policy Analyst Director Alex Bucklew sit down to discuss the 2024 Legislative Session, bills that made it through legislation and what is next for MDHS.
(01:12) - Meet our Legislative Affairs & Senior Policy Advisor
(03:47) - Why was the session longer this year?
(08:36) - How MDHS is administered under the executive branch?
(13:42) - How does a bill gets filed?
(16:18) - How does the appropriation process work?
(23:07) - How do relationships effect the Legislative session?
(30:35) - How good committee chairs can affect your session?
(32:23) - MDHS legislative agenda
(41:20) - Where is MDHS going?
...more
45min
May 02, 2024The Business of Hope
Executive Director Bob Anderson joins Mark Jones in this kickoff episode of Connecting Hope. Inside this episode, they discuss:

The First Four Years
In the Hope Business
Upcoming news on the application process
How is the agency listening to client feedback
Employee Initiatives
New Technologies
Baskets of Benefits
Strategic Plan
What is the S.U.C.C.E.S.S project?
Transparency and connection
Partnership Development
The Next Four Years
Closing
(00:35) - The First Four Years
(01:54) - In the Hope Business
(03:12) - Upcoming news on the application process
(05:13) - How is the agency listening to client feedback
(08:01) - Employee Initiatives
(13:02) - New Technologies
(14:42) - Baskets of Benefits
(16:00) - Strategic Plan
(18:41) - What is the S.U.C.C.E.S.S project?
(21:19) - Transparency and connection
(25:43) - Partnership Development
(30:25) - The Next Four Years
(32:54) - Closing
...more
34min

FAQs about Connecting Hope:

How many episodes does Connecting Hope have?

The podcast currently has 7 episodes available.