Business English Reading Comprehension: Childcare Voucher Crisis in Mississippi

📚 Key vocabulary for this topic
childcare subsidy — government financial support given to families to help cover the cost of childcare
voucher program — a government scheme providing eligible recipients with certificates to pay for specific services
funding gap — the difference between available financial resources and the amount needed to cover expenses
low-income household — a family whose earnings fall below a defined threshold, often qualifying them for government support
waiting list — a list of people waiting to receive a service or benefit that is currently unavailable or oversubscribed
federal funding — money allocated by the national government to states or programs for specific purposes
workforce participation — the percentage of working-age people who are employed or actively seeking work
provider — in a social services context, an organization or individual licensed to deliver a funded service
eligibility criteria — the conditions that must be met to qualify for a program or benefit
advocacy group — an organization that promotes or defends the interests of a specific cause or community