Hattiesburg Care Gap: Residents Seek Flexible Childcare Solutions
A Nextdoor post by a Hattiesburg resident has ignited a community-wide discussion about the need for 24-hour child care options in the city, a response to increasing demands from residents working non-traditional hours. Myra Hawthorne, a municipal court clerk, initiated the conversation after experiencing difficulty finding child care that aligned with her work schedule.
Hawthorne’s post quickly resonated with others, highlighting a growing challenge for single parents and individuals employed in jobs requiring overnight or irregular shifts. “I was told that I need to start calling at least six months before my baby actually started school as everyone’s waiting list was so long,” Hawthorne explained, according to reporting from news-usa.today. “I’m aware of accommodation issues. I know a lot of people who are having to work two jobs.”
The demand for non-traditional child care coincides with broader issues in Mississippi’s child care system. In April 2025, the Mississippi Department of Human Services reduced child care vouchers for low-income families, contributing to center closures and extended waitlists. U.S. News & World Report reported that nearly 16,000 Mississippi families were awaiting child care assistance as of late 2025.
Hawthorne envisions a 24-hour facility as a resource for those needing short-term care outside of standard hours. She has begun preliminary research into the requirements for establishing such a center, though a formal proposal has not yet been submitted. State regulations require additional accommodations for overnight operations, according to reports from mississippitoday.org.
Hawthorne also operates The Court Coach LLC in Hattiesburg, providing court navigation and procedural coaching for individuals navigating the legal system. She founded the company after observing firsthand the difficulties people face when lacking legal background or financial resources for legal counsel, as detailed on the Alignable website.