MS HB210

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 families and improve kindergarten readiness.

Establishes a seven-member board of trustees appointed by the Speaker of the House (2 members), Lieutenant Governor (2 members), and Governor (3 members), with representation from the Department of Education, Head Start, and private sector.

Requires the foundation to match state appropriations with private funds and award grants for pilot projects, scholarships for low-income families, and quality improvement strategies for early care and education programs.

Mandates all state agencies, departments, institutions, and political subdivisions providing services to children submit itemized lists annually to the John C. Stennis Institute of Government by September 1, detailing programs, funding sources, costs, children served, and performance measures.

Requires the State Superintendent of Public Education to make grants to the foundation and a private nonprofit organization to implement an early childhood development grant program, establish a quality rating system, and report progress to the Legislature by January 15, 2016; section repeals July 1, 2018.