Our Philosophy & Purpose

It is Hancock County Human Resource Agency's belief that learning begins with birth and continues throughout life with the first five years of life being the most crucial in a child’s development. It is the philosophy of the Child Development program that early childhood should be a time of fun, security, warmth, exploration and discovery. Preschool children are creative and receptive and our staff strives to nurture and encourage these qualities in the children who attend.

The purpose of our programs is to provide learning experiences within a safe, stimulating environment to encourage and support the physical, intellectual, social, emotional and cultural growth and development of the child as a whole.

Our Team

Our History

The Hancock County Human Resource Agency (HCHRA) was formed by the Hancock County Board of Supervisors in 1986 under the Mississippi Legal Statutes Code of 1972, Sections 17-5- 1 through 17-15-11 et.seq. HCHRA is a local governmental entity and a component unit of Hancock County. The mission of HCHRA is to plan and provide services in Hancock County in collaboration with other organizations, both private and civic, and to promote the general social welfare of the community through assistance to citizens in Hancock County. HCHRA is the sponsoring organization that provides oversight and governance of the Hancock County Senior Citizens Program; Hancock County Child Development Center, Camp Care Early Childhood and Youth Development, STARS Early Education Center, STARS Aftercare Youth Development Centers at Hancock County West, North and East Elementary schools, and Brenda's House Family Center.

The HCHRA Board of Directors consists of nine members appointed by the Board of Supervisors and the City of Waveland and Bay St. Louis. The Board meets on the first Monday of each month and at other times as the need arises.