Mississippi removes hurdle to child care for low-income single parents

By MICHAEL GOLDBERG
Associated Press/Report for America

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Single parents in Mississippi will no longer face a policy that made it difficult for them to receive help paying for child care. Since 2004, single parents and guardians have had to seek child support from the other parent to be eligible for assistance through the Child Care Payment Program. The program offers aid to low-income parents in Mississippi, one of the poorest states in the nation. As of Monday, the rule is no longer in effect. Chad Allgood with the Mississippi Department of Human Services says parents can’t work if they don’t have child care.