Children, families, and their communities in Mississippi are the beneficiaries of an invaluable network that aims to elevate and enhance early childhood development efforts and support professional workforce development through educational resources and referrals. The Mississippi LIFT Resource & Referral Network is available across the state, and a new Region II R&R facility recently opened for Winston County at 3214 North Church Avenue in Louisville.
From books, dolls, and hand puppets to games, Hula-Hoops, and sensory toys paired with educational materials, children can further hands-on learning within a fun, nurturing environment through LIFT, an acronym for Learning Investment for Tomorrow. And Winston County LIFT personnel are readily available to assist area children and families, daycares, schools, professional educators, and home school educators.
“Our Winston County LIFT site comes to life each month with colorfully decorated spaces that follow a specific theme as we welcome children from infancy up to age 12 in an inclusive environment where our resources, services, and materials are free,” said Alison Reed of Ackerman, the Winston County LIFT program associate. “And the availability of these much-needed resources and referral services extends to nearby counties,” she added.
The Winston County location is one of 10 offices in LIFT Region II, a network that also serves 25 other Mississippi counties, including Attala, Choctaw, Kemper, Neshoba, Noxubee, and Webster. MS LIFT is grant-funded through the Mississippi Department of Human Services and housed at MSU Extension. The R&R sites are open to the public and free for stakeholders in early childhood development, including children from birth up to age 12, their families, and educators in professional environments and home school settings.
The local LIFT site opened in October 2024. Shortly after its debut, Maggie York, a Kemper County native and recent Mississippi State University graduate, began her career with MSU Extension, specifically with LIFT.
“I wanted to work in a field close to my heart, and I believe I was led to help make an impact with LIFT. Our network is such a great environment, and we are very happy in our rewarding roles as we work with children and the community,” York said.
Across Mississippi, LIFT sites house a lending library and a maker space, hold monthly community engagement events, offer family support, and utilize a mobile unit. The lending library contains learning materials and toys for early childhood professionals, children, and families, with items available for check out at no cost. The hands-on maker space houses die-cuts for letters, colored bulletin board paper, and large and small laminators. Additionally, the network connects families with childcare options in the area and promotes educational opportunities for workforce development. The Winston County location even provides public access to two Dell desktop computers for composing and printing free resumes. Beyond the facility, a local R&R mobile unit, operated by LIFT employee Kenneth C. Spiva, a Winston County resident, staffs scheduled visits upon request.
Furthermore, the LIFT network hosts developmental screenings and autism screenings for children through the Mississippi Early Childhood Inclusion Center. MECIC provides appropriate support for children with disabilities, their teachers, and their families.
“A local MECIC testing site here is a great advantage for area children and families because this service is available to conveniently be scheduled and conducted within our facility at absolutely no cost to them,” said Reed, who previously worked in the medical field.
No appointment is necessary to regularly visit a LIFT location, and learning themes change monthly with February 2025 slated as “Fairytales, Fables, and Legends.” Flyers promoting February’s activities, featuring nursery rhymes and storybooks, will be distributed soon.
Any child can visit the LIFT site accompanied by an adult. First-time visitors can select from two free packets of educational materials available for pick up, one for infants and another for preschool age.
LIFT R&R Network in Winston County operates from 8 a.m.– 5 p.m. weekdays with extended hours until 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and select Saturdays from 9 a.m. until noon. For questions or to request the mobile unit, telephone (662) 867-3275.
