Special Education Advisory Panel Meeting Notice
2026-04-15 10:00 (America/Chicago)
Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services
(MDRS)
The Special Education Advisory Panel will meet via Zoom on Wednesday,May 20, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.. You may access the meeting either online or by phone.
The Zoom link will be sent closer to event time.
The Panel will hear public comments at 10:15 a.m.
Written comments may be submitted to Sharon Strong Coon at the
Mississippi Department of Education, P.O. Box 771, Jackson, Mississippi 39205-0771.
Email: scoon@mdek12.org; or call the Parent Hotline Number: 1-877-544-0408.
For more information, or if you need accommodations due to a disability, contact Sharon Strong Coon or Mona Spells Adou at 601-359-3498.

Annual South Jackson Parade
2026-04-18 09:00
The Association of South Jackson Neighborhoods
The Association of South Jackson Neighborhoods (ASJN) invites the community to attend the Annual South Jackson Parade on Saturday, April 18, 2026. This family-friendly event celebrates community pride and togetherness with a parade, vendors, entertainment, and activities for all ages.
The parade will begin at 9:00 a.m. at the Little Caesars parking lot on McDowell Road and will conclude at Cordoza Middle School. Following the parade, attendees can enjoy festivities and a fun zone at Cordoza Middle School, located at 3180 McDowell Road Extension, Jackson, MS.
Vendors, bands, and dance or cheer groups are welcome to participate. Vendor setup begins at 7:00 a.m. at Cordoza Middle School.
This event is shared for informational purposes only. We are not affiliated with the organizers.
For additional details, please contact:

Ernest Ward: 601-201-3020
Johnny Byrd: 601-720-9965

Leadership Coaching and Policy Discussion
2026-04-22 12:00, 2026-05-27 12:00, 2026-06-24 12:00, 2026-07-22 12:00, 2026-08-26 12:00, 2026-09-23 12:00, 2026-10-28 12:00, 2026-11-25 12:00 and 1 more date
Families as Allies
This group focuses on understanding current policy issues and also opportunities for leadership training graduates to serve on decision-making committees. Leadership training graduates are strongly encouraged to attend, but the meetings are open to anyone who is interested in learning more about policy.
Register here>>

Lunch & Learn with the Arc
2026-04-24 11:30 - 13:30
The Arc
The Arc Northeast Mississippi invites the community to a Lunch & Learn focused on building stronger, more inclusive connections across our region. Attendees will hear from local leaders who are expanding recreational, vocational, and residential opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Featured speakers include Leanne Mattox from the Tupelo Park District, sharing updates on inclusive recreation, and Britney Dill from Crossroads Ranch, highlighting vocational and residential supports for adults with special needs.
This free event will be held on Friday, April 24, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Ability Works, located at 613 Pegram Drive in Tupelo. Lunch is provided, and families, professionals, and community partners are encouraged to attend. For more information, call 662‑732‑0444.

Autism Screening Day
2026-04-27 10:00 - 18:00
MECIC
MECIC is hosting a Statewide Autism Screening Day to support families with young children across Mississippi. Screenings are available for children ages 5 and under at multiple MS LIFT Resource & Referral Network locations, including Hernando, Jackson, Hattiesburg, Mayhew, Flowood, Gulfport, and the Mobile R&R site in Columbia. Families can schedule an appointment between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. by calling 601‑266‑4745. This statewide initiative helps ensure early identification, access to resources, and support for families. MS LIFT is a program of the Mississippi Department of Human Services.

Vicksburg Buddy League
2026-04-27 18:00
The Vicksburg Buddy League
The Vicksburg Buddy League invites elementary school–age children with special needs to participate in an adaptive sports program designed to build confidence, skills, and community. The league meets on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at the Vicksburg YMCA. The first meeting on April 27th at 6:00 p.m. will introduce families to the program, share important information, and give children a chance to meet on the basketball court. For questions, families can contact Melissa Nolan at melissanolan03@gmail.com. All are welcome — we can’t wait to see you at Buddy League.

PRVO Head Start Community May Day Celebration
2026-05-01 12:00 - 2026-05-09 16:30
PRVO Head Start
PRVO Head Start/Early Head Start is hosting its Annual May Day Family Fun Day at Vernon Dahmer Park! Families are invited to enjoy an afternoon filled with bounce houses, BBQ and food trucks, carnival games, sack races, kickball, basketball, snowballs, prizes, and more. Parents are encouraged to volunteer as we come together for a day of fun, food, family, and fellowship. Join us on Friday, May 1st from 12 PM–4 PM and help us make unforgettable memories.

Gulf Coast Sibshop
2026-05-16 10:00
Gulf Coast Sibshop
Gulf Coast Sibshop invites siblings of children with different abilities to a fun, supportive event designed just for them. This interactive session gives kids a chance to connect with peers who understand their experiences, share feelings in a safe space, build confidence through engaging activities, and celebrate what makes them unique. Hosted by Embrace Abilities and Happy Coast Families, this Sibshop creates a welcoming environment for learning, friendship, and encouragement.
The event will take place on May 16, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Arc. Families can register using the QR code provided. All siblings are welcome to join this uplifting and empowering experience.

2026 Children's Mental Health Summit | Hope Starts Here
2026-07-15 - 2026-07-17
Canopy Children’s Home
Join us for Canopy Children’s Solutions’ Children’s Mental Health Summit: Hope Starts Here, where educators, clinicians and community partners gather to explore how healing grows when every part of a child’s world supports their well-being. The summit highlights prevention, connection and the mind-body-spirit pathways that move children from hopelessness to hope.
Don’t miss exciting keynote speakers, Kathryn Goetzke, Jason Curry and Kevin Hines. Hope Starts Here invites us to see healing as something created collectively in classrooms, homes, clinics and communities. Together, we’ll explore the approaches that nurture resilience, strengthen protective factors, and support the whole child.
Register here>>

Mississippi Behavioral Planning and Advisory Council
2026-08-14 10:00 - 12:00
Department of Mental Health
Federal law specifies the duties of the Joint Mental Health Planning Councils.
>Duties include:

To review the Mental Health Block Grant Plan and to make recommendations;
To serve as an advocate for adults with serious mental illness, children with a serious emotional disturbance, and other individuals with mental illnesses; and
To monitor, review, and evaluate, not less than once yearly, the allocation and adequacy of mental health services within the State.

Meeting Location-in person

Mississippi Behavioral Health Planning and Advisory Council
Thursday, August 14, 2025
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Mississippi State Hospital – Building 56
