Through educational stability, school districts can provide a powerful counterweight to the abuse, neglect, separation, and other barriers faced by foster care students. Federal and State Guidance are provided to support school districts in caring for foster care students. The MDE encourages collaborative efforts between local school districts and child welfare agencies.
Foster Care Point of Contacts (POC)
The MDE encourages collaborative efforts throughout Mississippi to ensure that foster care students receive the necessary services to succeed. To promote communication between schools and child welfare agencies, the contact information is shared below.
Mississippi Department of Education Point of Contact:
Terissa Williams
twilliams@mdek12.org
662-404-0445
Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services Point of Contact:
Cynthia Moore-Hardy
education@mdcps.ms.gov
601-576-1558
Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services Find an Office Contact Link: Office Locations | Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services
Mississippi public school districts submit a primary and secondary point of contact annually, which is published through the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) Office of Compulsory School Attendance Enforcement and Dropout Prevention.
Mississippi Local Education Agency (LEA) Point of Contact:
Every year, LEAs are required to submit updated contact information for the primary and secondary contacts who will be responsible for the school district’s foster care students. The link for this upcoming school year is below.
Mississippi Department of Education Point of Contact – Terissa Williams, 662-563-9332
Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services Point of Contact – Cynthia Moore-Hardy
