Today the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) announces the launch of an online database of the more than 1,500 licensed child care facilities in the state, including licensing status, inspection reports, complaint investigations, and monetary penalties assigned during routine visits or inspections.
“For years you’ve been able to locate a licensed facility in your area through our website, but this new database will be a huge advancement for our state,” said Jim Craig, MSDH Director of Health Protection. “This is a project that has been years in the making, and we’re extremely proud to be able to finally offer this service to parents in Mississippi.”
The online search feature is the first from MSDH that allows parents to locate child care centers or youth camps with specific features such as ages served, after-school care, and special needs services. Performance information is also available, including inspections, investigations, monetary penalties, and whether the facility is part of the Mississippi Department of Human Services Child Care Certificate program.
In the past, information on complaints and inspections was available to the public only by making a written request for a specific facility. The online database will now make this information immediately available for all facilities.
The searchable database will be free to use and available 24 hours a day.
“Our goal is to give parents and caregivers complete information at their fingertips to make an informed decision on where to safely and appropriately place their child,” said Craig.
Follow MSDH by e-mail and social media at HealthyMS.com/connect.