Families as Allies joins the nation in honoring the life of President George Herbert Walker Bush. 

President Bush’s signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law in 1990 is likely the single most important presidential action ever taken to support people with disabilities. It reflected what he knew: people with disabilities can live, work and thrive in their communities with the right kinds of support. He did not pity people with disabilities.  In fact, he worked side by side with them to pass the ADA.

Today is #Giving Tuesday. I hope that Monica's story and her experience with Families as Allies inspires you to give generously so that families across the state can support each other and work together on behalf of our children.

  
(Pictured above, from top left, clockwise): Congressman Gregg Harper with Howard Roffwarg and Joy Hogge, Henry Moore and Joy Hogge with representatives from the Community Students Learning Center, Ramona Russum and Joy Hogge with John Lunardini and Sue Allen of Catholic Charities, and Tara Manning and Joy Hogge with representatives from the Coalition For Citizens With Disabilities)

On Monday, November 5th we held our fifth annual Community Partnership Celebration at Bravo! Italian Restaurant. This event is our major (not only) fundraiser of the year. Please take a few minutes to listen to Monica Webber describe how her involvement with Families as Allies has made a difference in the lives of her child, her family and other families they have come to know.

Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba and First Lady Ebony Lumumba, recipients of last year's Helen Reddy Johnson Memorial Award for Valuing Every Child and Family, with Executive Director Joy Hogge, members of the Johnson family and others.

Families as Allies has touched the lives of many children and families over the past year because of your generous support. Join us at Bravo Italian Restaurant and Bar on Monday, November 5, 2018 from 5:00 to 7:30 for our Fifth Annual Community Partnership Celebration to honor this good work and make sure that it continues. For more information on tickets or if you would like to become a sponsor, CLICK HERE.

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.