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Special Populations

 

At AccelerateMS, our mission is to elevate every Mississippian’s opportunity to engage in meaningful work. We are especially committed to supporting special populations—individuals who face unique barriers to education, training, and employment. These groups include, but are not limited to:

  • Individuals with disabilities
  • Justice-involved individuals (formerly incarcerated)
  • Youth aging out of foster care
  • Single parents
  • Veterans
  • Low-income individuals
  • Individuals experiencing homelessness
  • English language learners

For these communities, we work to remove systemic and practical obstacles that hinder access to opportunity, helping each person thrive in Mississippi’s evolving economy. Our goal is to transform these populations into viable, sustainable workforce pipelines that contribute meaningfully to our state’s growth and resilience. We believe that everyone deserves a pathway to economic mobility, and our approach is rooted in access, equity, and empowerment through strategic workforce development initiatives.

Partners

Our impact is made possible through collaborative efforts with partners across the state. These organizations offer workforce-specific services targeted to special populations: 

Vocational services

 

Adult education, Career & Technical Education, and Perkins V

Career transition and placement services for returning service members

Supportive services for reentry, youth, and homelessness

State IMPACT Collaborative Grant

In October 2024, the Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) received a State IMPACT Collaborative grant from MDRC. With this support, MDES and AccelerateMS are evaluating how workforce training programs affect recidivism and reentry in Mississippi, focusing on post-release employment, earnings, and long-term outcomes. The goal is to inform evidence-based strategies that strengthen reentry and improve employment prospects for formerly incarcerated individuals.

Partner with Us

We are always looking to build strong partnerships that help us better serve Mississippi’s special populations. If you’re interested in collaborating to create a meaningful impact, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact our Special Populations Strategy Manager, Jeremiah Willis.

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