Mississippi Today recently published this sobering article by health reporter Larrison Campbell detailing stories of young children with disabilities failing to receive federally mandated early intervention services through the First Steps Program at Mississippi State Department of Health due to budget and personnel constraints.

We know these families' stories are very real because some of these very real families have contacted our organization.

Check out all the great things happening throughout the month of May, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, starting with a fun night out at Fondren after 5, Thursday May 3. Read more here. 

Check out our latest newsletter to learn all that's been going on plus learn the latest news with Jackson Public Schools, special education and the US Department of Justice.  You can read the newsletter here.

My heart, along with those of parents across America, broke as the news of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting unfolded. I still cannot catch my breath trying to grasp the horrific trauma for each child who endured even one second of such a nightmare. There are no words in the face of the unfathomable loss for families whose loved one were killed. Families as Allies’ and my personal thoughts, prayers and hearts are with each and every person affected by yesterday’s devastating tragedy.

Families as Allies brings together many different families across geographic regions, political persuasions and all kinds of demographics.  But one thing that unites almost all of us is knowing all too well that heart-stopping moment when we see the school’s, sometimes even the preschool’s, number pop up on our phones.  Dreaded questions immediately arise. What now? Are they going to tell me to come pick up my child? Do I even want to answer? What do I say if I do?

Each year, bills are introduced that can affect our children. I encourage you to learn as much as possible about proposed legislation that you think is relevant to your family. 

I also urge you to evaluate how family-driven bills are. Family-driven means “families have a primary decision-making role in the care of their own children as well as the policies and procedures governing care for all children in their community, state, tribe, territory and nation.

House Bill 985 establishes a Children’s Cabinet, made up of the Heads of the State Agencies that serve children as well as a Youth Court Judge and appointees of the Lt. Governor and the Speaker of the House. It combines several currently existing committees and councils in an attempt to increase efficiency.

Presentation to Attorney General's Mental Health Task Force:
What Happens When Families Seek Help for Their Children?
In July 2016, the Mississippi Department of Mental Health contracted with Families as Allies to learn what happens when families access services for their children in the mental health and education systems.  Families as Allies spent the next year gathering data from over 400 families throughout the state via phone interviews, surveys and town hall meetings.

A big THANK YOU to all of you who helped us welcome in 2018 at Families as Allies’ New Year Open House on Thursday, January 11. 

Every family who is part of our organization, every partner from our child serving systems, every policy maker, and every community supporter who unites with us around our mission – to make sure families are partners in their children’s care – brings us closer to making our vision – that all children will have the opportunity to reach their potential and succeed – a reality.  It was wonderful to start the new year in such a meaningful way with all of you.

The food and friendship were terrific.  Another highlight was gathering feedback from our guests on What’s Working, What’s Not Working, and What’s Needed in some of our child serving systems and with Families as Allies.  This is the same format we use in town halls with families throughout the state and we use this feedback to guide our work, in partnership with all of you, throughout the year.

This is what you told us about the different systems that serve children and about us.

OUR WINTER 2017 NEWSLETTER IS OUT WITH LOTS OF NEWS AND INFO!

Listen to Larry Sanders describe how leadership training transformed his relationship with the young children in his family and led him to reach out to others with the things he learned. Families helping families who then help other families brings change and  hope.