MS HB383

Creates the Mississippi Foundation for Early Childhood Development as a public-private partnership to identify cost-effective early care and education methods for at-risk children and increase kindergarten readiness.

Establishes a seven-member board of trustees appointed by the Speaker of the House, Lieutenant Governor, and Governor, with members from education, Head Start, and the private sector; foundation must match state appropriations with private funds.

Requires all state agencies, departments, institutions, and political subdivisions providing services to children to submit annual itemized lists to the John C. Stennis Institute of Government by September 1, including program descriptions, funding sources, costs, number of children served, and performance measures, with compiled information provided to the foundation by December 1.

Authorizes the Superintendent of Public Education to award grants for pilot projects, family scholarships, and quality improvement strategies, and requires the foundation to adopt a quality rating system with results posted on state websites including the Department of Education, Division of Medicaid, and Department of Human Services.

Sunsets the grant program provisions on July 1, 2015, with the act effective July 1, 2011.