United States Representative Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) recently announced the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) has awarded $200,000 in funds through the 2021 Delta Workforce Grant Program to the Delta Health Alliance located in Stoneville.
The Delta Careers Collaborative (DCC) will establish a new talent pipeline of industry-led workforce training and certifications to address the critical need for pre-K educators in the Mississippi counties of Leflore, Sunflower, Warren, and Washington.
Students from rural public high schools and local dislocated workers will be recruited to receive Child Development Associate training from Mississippi State University for job placement with early childhood education centers.
The DCC expects to provide career development services to 80 residents, fulfilling a critical need for affordable, high-quality early childcare while also supporting the return to work of local families and driving improvements in kindergarten readiness scores in the region.
Congressman Thompson, 73, has been serving as the U.S. Representative for Mississippi's Second Congressional District since 1993.
A member of the Democratic Party, he has been the Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security since 2019, previously holding the position from 2007 to 2011.
Thompson most recently visited Clarksdale this spring with the grand opening of Delta Health Systems - Clarksdale Hospital where he spoke on funding for rural healthcare and Medicare/Medicaid expansion. He also visited Coahoma Community College and spoke to students in May 2019.
