The audio version of this story is AI generated and is not human reviewed. It may contain errors or inaccuracies. Editor’s note: This essay is part of Mississippi Today Ideas, a platform for thoughtful Mississippians to share fact-based ideas about our state’s past, present and future. You can r ead more about the section here. On Jan. 1, Mississippi took an important step forward for working families. For the first time, state employees welcoming a new child have access to paid parental leave. That matters. It matters for mothers recovering from childbirth. It matters for fathers and partners learning how to care for a brand-new life. It matters for adoptive parents building trust and connection in those first fragile weeks. It matters for babies because those early weeks are when pediatric checkups, screenings and follow-up care happen, and when parents need the time and stability to actually get their children to those appointments. And it matters for Mississippi’s workforce, which has long struggled with retention, recruitment and deep economic inequities. The Mississippi State Employees Paid Parental Leave Act, which went into effect on Jan 1, did not happen by chance. It reflects years of advocacy, organizing and bipartisan leadership that recognized a simple truth: No parent should have to choose between caring for a new child and keeping a paycheck. As a social worker, a mother and someone who has spent decades organizing alongside Mississippi families, I know how rare and meaningful that recognition is. But while Jan. 1 is a milestone worth celebrating, it should also be a moment of honesty. This policy is a first step, not the finish line. This new law provides paid leave following the birth or adoption of a child, and for the state employees who qualify, it can be life-changing. Emori, a student at Global Connection Learning Center in Jackson, drew art depicting his family. But the reality is stark. In Mississippi, paid family leave protects only 1 in 5 workers. The other 80% – disproportionately low-wage workers and workers of color – are left with no guaranteed time to heal, no paycheck to rely on and no protection when their families need them most. And even for those who are covered, the protections are limited. For example, the new law does not cover workers recovering from serious illness, childbirth complications or mental health crises. It does not protect those caring for an aging parent, a partner undergoing cancer treatment or a child with ongoing medical needs. Cassandra Welchlin Credit: Courtesy photo It does not reach the majority of Mississippi workers employed outside of state government. And it ignores a simple truth: Caregiving does not end after a few short weeks, and neither does the need for time to heal. As a result, caregivers drain their savings, exhaust their sick time or leave the workforce entirely – and too often, they leave Mississippi in search of jobs and states that better support working families. These choices are not failures of personal responsibility; they are failures of policy. Mississippi is already paying the price. We rank near the bottom nationally in workforce participation and rank at the bottom for maternal and infant health outcomes. Paid leave goes beyond being a personal or family issue; it’s an economic issue. Paid family and medical leave delivers a strong return on investment for businesses, with studies estimating up to $2.57 in value for every $1 invested, driven by reduced turnover costs, higher productivity and stronger employee retention while communities benefit from healthier families and a more stable workforce. In a state struggling to retain workers and compete for talent, paid leave is not a cost Mississippi can’t afford. It is an investment Mississippi can’t afford not to make. Jan. 1 shows what is possible when we focus on families and practical solutions. Dawson, a student at Global Connection Learning Center in Jackson, drew art depicting his family. Now, lawmakers should build on this progress by expanding paid family and medical leave protections, ensuring that all workers – not just state employees – can care for themselves and their loved ones without risking financial ruin. Employers should view this policy as a model, not a ceiling. And communities must continue to uplift the lived experiences of caregivers who know firsthand what it means to fall through the cracks. Mississippi families deserve policies that reflect the reality of their lives. We took an important step forward this January. Let’s not stop walking. Cassandra Welchlin is executive director of the Mississippi Black Women’s Roundtable. A licensed social worker, advocate and mother, she has spent more than 20 years advancing policies that strengthen economic security and health for Mississippi women and families. ...read more read less