GLUCKSTADT, Miss. -- Children, parents and child care providers in the Gluckstadt area now have a new learning center with free resources.

The Mississippi LIFT Resource and Referral Network at the Mississippi State University Extension Service provides mini-learning stations throughout the center with themed hands-on, play-based educational activities each month. The public had the opportunity to tour the facility and meet the staff during an Aug. 28 open house event.

The center is operated through the MSU Extension Service and is open to anyone who has children or provides care for children. The network was formerly known as the MSU Extension Service Child Care Resource and Referral Network.

Various free services are available through the center, including a lending library full of educational games, books, puzzles, toys and other materials that can be checked out for a two-week period. The center also provides referrals for teacher training and connects families with child care options and other resource referrals and family support services training.

Teachers and child care providers can use the center’s die-cutting machine and laminating equipment to create classroom resources. Bilingual materials are available.

Each month, the center offers at least one community event that is free and open to the public.

In addition to educational materials, staff at the center can help early child care providers and families learn the best ways to teach children through experiential learning activities.

The Gluckstadt center is located at 113 Dees Drive, Suite D, Madison. It is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and two Saturdays a month.

The Gluckstadt location is one of 10 sites that will serve Region II for the Resource and Referral network. By December 2024, a total of 30 centers will be open in north, central and south Mississippi.

MSU Extension also has centers in:

• Hattiesburg
• Tupelo at Itawamba Community College
• Meridian at Meridian Community College
• Booneville at Northeast Mississippi Community College
• Corinth at Northeast Mississippi Community College
• Mayhew at East Mississippi Community College
• Starkville
• New Albany
• Houston
• Decatur at East Central Community College
• Poplarville at Pearl River Community College
• Mendenhall at Copiah-Lincoln Community College
• Summit at Southwest Mississippi Community College
• Jackson at Midtown Partners
• Natchez at Copiah-Lincoln Community College
• Ellisville at Jones College
• Gulfport at Willie Lock Community Center
• Brandon
• D’Iberville
• Long Beach

Additional centers will open soon in Louisville, Vicksburg, Utica, Jackson, Brookhaven, Ridgeland, Raymond, Pascagoula, Wiggins and Gautier.

Hours of operation vary by location. For more information about the centers, visit the MSU Extension website at https://tinyurl.com/ykk6crex.

In addition to centers, Resource and Referral mobile units travel statewide to community events and offer scheduled visits in rural areas. The units provide access to a wide range of developmentally appropriate resources and materials.

The Mississippi LIFT Resource and Referral Network is operated in partnership with the Mississippi Department of Human Services and the community.