Foster Care Point of Contact : Mrs. Chelsea Blackledge, cblackledge@richton.k12.ms.us 601-788-5908

On June 23, 2016, the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released joint guidance to states, school districts and child welfare agencies on the new provisions in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) for supporting children/youth in foster care. The guidance aims to assist state and local partners in understanding and implementing the new law, and to inform state and local collaboration between educational and child welfare agencies across the nation for the well-being of children in foster care.

Staff Point of Contact

Mississippi Department of Education Point of Contact — Terissa Williams, Staff Officer III, (662) 563-9332

Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services Point of Contact — Cynthia Moore-Hardy (601) 502-7429