For Mississippi to reach its potential, our children must reach theirs.
The 2026 Mississippi KIDS COUNT Risk & Reach Report is now live!
This year’s report features updated data from the 2021 Mississippi KIDS COUNT Risk & Reach Report, offering a current look at the health, education, economic well-being, and family and community life indicators shaping outcomes for children across the state.
The 2026 report also highlights 80 REACH Awardees from communities throughout Mississippi. Selected through community nominations, these individuals, organizations, programs, and initiatives represent practical, community-rooted work helping children and families thrive.
Together, the risk data and REACH stories help show both the challenges Mississippi children face and the people working every day to meet those needs. For Mississippi to reach its potential, our children must reach theirs.
“NO SCREENS” FREE FAMILY FUN NIGHT, FOOD & COMMUNITY CONVERSATION with Michael Rich, MD, MPH,The Mediatrician
Join us for a Chat with Dr. Michael Rich, known as “The Mediatrician,” for an engaging and interactive conversation designed especially for families. Drawing from his work at Center on Media and Child Health, Dr. Rich helps parents understand how screens affect children’s growing brains, behavior, and relationships—without guilt.
Instead of focusing on strict rules, he shares simple, practical ways to create more meaningful, screen-free moments in everyday life—like during meals, playtime, and bedtime. Through real-life examples and conversation, families will learn how to strengthen connections, support their child’s social and emotional development, and build healthy media habits that work for their unique family.
This relaxed, interactive chat will leave you feeling encouraged, empowered, and equipped with easy ideas you can start using right away.
5:00- 6:30 - arts and crafts, charades and improv, puzzles, books, other “screen free” engaging activities.
6:30 - 7:00 - Pizza, Chips, and water meal
7:00-8:00 - Interactive Chat with Dr. Michael Rich moderated by Stewart McMillan. Dr. Rich will share practical insights on screen time, social media, and healthy brain development, along with strategies to help families support children in today’s digital world. This informal conversation is perfect for parents, educators, and community members who care about the well-being of children and teens.
New Chat about Children Podcast episode: What Everyone Should Know About the Mississippi LIFT Resource & Referral Network PART ONE
Chat About Children connects you to the people, places, and practical tools that help Mississippi’s children reach their potential.
In this episode, host Bailey Shelton Ray, Director of Communications and Outreach for the Children’s Foundation of Mississippi, takes listeners inside the Mississippi LIFT Resource and Referral Network, a statewide system of free community centers supporting families, educators, and anyone involved in early childhood care.
You may now access the 2025 MS KIDS COUNT Factbook digitally! Click the cover or here to download.