REACH MS Secures $6 Million Grant Renewal

Thu, 10/22/2026 - 09:56am | By: Karelia Pitts

Through the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, the United States Department of Education has renewed funding for the Realizing Excellence for ALL Children in Mississippi (REACH MS) project. Six million dollars in funding over five years (2026-2031) has been awarded to REACH MS to continue serving as Mississippi’s State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG) program assisting the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE).

SPDGs are awarded to state educational agencies to help strengthen systems for personnel preparation and professional development in early intervention, educational and transition services to improve results for children with disabilities. Originally awarded to MDE in 2005, the grant supporting REACH MS is operated by The University of Southern Mississippi School of Education. To date, SPDG funding has allowed REACH MS to train staff from over a thousand schools in Mississippi (Pre-K–12).

“The renewal of the REACH MS project is an excellent example of the impact an institution of higher learning can have on the communities it serves. This project, led by Southern Miss’ Dr. Hollie Filce, brings the latest evidence-based practices to our Mississippi schools, making an immediate and lasting impact,” said Dr. Melissa Thompson, executive associate dean of the USM College of Education and Human Sciences.

Northwest Rankin Elementary (NWRE) School has benefitted from a multi-year partnership with REACH MS, receiving invaluable training and guidance to build a deep understanding of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). By working through each level of implementation, NWRE has achieved the distinction of earning PBIS Model Site status across tiers one, two and three. This milestone demonstrates the team’s commitment to creating a safe, structured environment that directly enhances teacher instruction and elevates student learning.

"Over the past 15 years, our partnership with REACH MS has transformed our school’s approach to behavior, culture and learning. Through implementing PBIS, we have shifted from simple discipline to proactively teaching behavioral expectations alongside our academic curriculum,” said NWRE Principal Kara Killough. “By using data to target areas of concern, our staff now focus on positive reinforcement, meaningful redirection and consistent routines. This structured framework fosters a supportive, predictable environment where educators love to teach, students love to learn and positive behaviors are celebrated every day."

South Park Elementary School in the Vicksburg Warren School District credits REACH MS with being an invaluable partner in helping them build a more positive, consistent and supportive environment for both students and staff.

Lead Teacher Derek McGraw said, “Training from REACH MS has played a tremendous role in helping us develop and strengthen our PBIS implementation. Through the strategies and support provided, we have seen a positive change in our school climate and culture—not only among our students, but also among our staff. As we established consistency with PBIS last school year, we also saw growth in our students’ academic performance. By reducing behavioral disruptions, our teachers have been able to spend more time focused on instruction and learning.”

The 2026 renewal marks the fourth time SPDG funding has been renewed for REACH MS under the direction of principal investigator Dr. Hollie Filce. A major focus for the new funding cycle will be helping Mississippi districts and schools build sustainable Multi-Tiered Systems of Support for Behavior (MTSS-B). REACH MS will provide tier two and three training and coaching for school teams, help districts develop written policies and procedures, and coach district staff to sustain the work. Applications for the first cohort of the new MTSS-B offerings will open in spring 2027.

“We are grateful for our long-standing partnership with the Mississippi Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and for the opportunity to continue this important work,” said Dr. Filce. “This work is only possible because of the enthusiastic participation and commitment of the schools and educators we serve. We are excited to continue building on what we have accomplished together to improve outcomes for Mississippi students.”

When asked about Pierce Street Elementary School’s experience with REACH MS, Principal Anthony Golding in the Tupelo Public School District says, “the results have been nothing short of spectacular.”

“With the help of REACH MS, PBIS has transformed the culture of our school by creating clear expectations, emphasizing positive relationships and helping our students understand what success looks like throughout the school day. We have seen a significant reduction in disciplinary infractions, which means more students are in classrooms learning and teachers can focus on instruction,” Golding continues. “More importantly, PBIS has helped us build a school where students feel supported, teachers feel empowered and positive behavior is recognized and celebrated. It has become part of who we are at Pierce Street.”

To learn more about REACH MS, visit reachms.org. For information about the USM School of Education, including its degree programs and the work of its faculty, visit usm.edu/education.