Families as Allies

Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act: After High School
2022-01-19 11:00 - 11:30 (America/Chicago)
Mississippi Parent Training and Information Center
IDEA or 504 services in high school do not guarantee eligibility for accommodations in post-secondary education. Join us and learn how to be prepared for the next phase of education.
Register here>>

Parent Peer Support Conversation for Anyone working with Parent Peer Supporters
2022-01-20 15:00, 2022-01-28 10:00
This conversation is for anyone working with parents providing peer support to other parents in any system, such as Children’s Services Directors, MAP Team Coordinators, Care Coordinators and Center Directors. We will share an overview of Families as Allies’ parent peer support training curriculum and ongoing support and training. We want to hear your feedback on how we’re doing from your perspective and how we can be most supportive to you. We will also discuss issues in parent peer support, including how to pay for it, what should be included in job descriptions and how to address questions that may arise.

Register here >>

Parental Consent in Special Education
2022-02-02 11:00 - 11:30
Mississippi Parent Training and Information Center
What is parental consent? When will a parent asked to sign documents giving consent? What happens if a parent doesn’t give consent? Join us to learn more.
Register here >>

Drop In Family Support Time
2022-02-03 12:00, 2022-03-03 12:00
This hour is open for any family member to drop in for all or some of the time to share any concerns or get feedback from others about handling different situations. We ask anyone who stops by to respect the confidentiality of the group and not share anything discussed in the group outside of the group.
Join here>>

Family Connections
2022-02-03 12:30 - 13:30
Hosted by the National Family Support Technical Assistance Center, “Family Connections” is a virtual community for parents and caregivers who support loved ones facing substance use and/or mental health challenges. Families tell us they need credible resources, guidance to accessing help, and the opportunity to connect with others facing similar challenges. Monthly gatherings will focus on a specific topic, provide tips and tools, and offer the opportunity to network with other families.
Family Connections take place the first Thursday of every month at 1:30 ET.
Our February discussion topic is “How to Find the Right Campus Supports for Your Student Experiencing Mental Health or Substance Use Symptoms.”
Join us from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 3rd.
Moderator:

Gena Fitzgerald, Senior Director, Family Outreach and Support, SAFE Project

Speakers:

Jen Rothman, NAMI, Senior Manager for Youth and Young Adult Initiatives
Kimberly Boulden, Senior Directory SAFE Campuses
Dylan Dunn, Assistant Director, SAFE Campuses, Training & Professional Development

Learning Objectives:

Learn why it’s critical to find resources for a student in recovery and/or with mental health challenges – especially during a pandemic affecting increases in both
Learn what’s available on campuses – and what’s not
Learn how to empower your student(s) to advocate for themselves and find help
Learn what questions to ask to get the answers your student(s) needs

This event is free and open to all families who are impacted by mental health and/or substance use challenges and to the workforce, organizations and communities that support them. Request No-Cost Technical Assistance or Training from NFSTAC at: www.nfstac.org/request-ta.
Providing Family Support Across the Lifespan | www.nfstac.org | info@nfstac.org
The National Family Support Technical Assistance Center of Excellence (COE) Grant #1H79F6000160-Fam-CoE is funded by SAMHSA.
Register here >>

Tips for Successful Meetings
2022-02-09 11:00 - 11:30
Mississippi Parent Training and Information Center
IEP meetings can be nerve wracking! Join us and learn tips to help prepare, have more productive IEP meetings and how to improve your documentation and communication.
Register here >>

Special Education Process: What are the Steps?
2022-02-16 11:00 - 11:30
Mississippi Parent Training and Information Center
Special education and all the moving parts of the process are overwhelming! Join us and learn seven important steps in the process.
Register here>>

Steps for Success: Making IEP Meetings Work
2022-02-18 11:00 - 11:30
Mississippi Parent Training and Information Center
Do you often leave your child’s IEP meeting feeling as if your concerns were not heard or addressed and that nothing has changed? You may be missing one of the steps covered in this training. Join us to learn how you can avoid some of the most common hurdles and how to have more productive IEP meetings and better outcomes for your child.
Register here >>

Special Education Records: What to Keep and How to Organize it.
2022-02-23 11:00 - 11:30
Mississippi Parent Training and Information Center
What do you do with all those papers? What do you need to keep and how do you keep it organized? Join us for tips on how to keep everything together.
Register here >>

Virtual Leadership Training
2022-02-24 09:00 - 2022-02-25 09:00
This training is for parents, caregivers and staff members who are interested in learning to serve on decision-making groups and committees. There will be 2 sessions, and each session will last 2.5 hours. Participants must attend all sessions for the entire session in order to receive their certificate. They also must be able to join the sessions from a device that has a camera and stay on camera throughout all sessions. Parents and caregivers who are receiving a stipend for completing this training must also turn in all course evaluations in addition to completing the other requirements in order to receive their stipends.
Register here >>

Webinar: Understanding the Role of Families and Parents in Supporting School Safety Before, During, and After an Emergency
2022-02-28 09:00 - 10:00
The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Safe and Supportive Schools and its Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance (TA) Center will host a Webinar on Monday, February 28, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. EST. This Webinar will highlight the role of parents and families in supporting school safety efforts at the local and state levels.
The objectives of this 60-minute Webinar are to
Highlight the role of parents and families in supporting school safety efforts at the local and state levels.
Demonstrate the importance of developing a collaborative planning team to support emergency operations plan development, as outlined in Step 1 of the six-step planning process detailed in the Guide for Developing High-Quality School Emergency Operations Plans.
Discuss the role that parents, parent engagement specialists, and parent advocacy groups play in supporting the National Preparedness System mission areas — prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery — as well as their role in the before, during, and after phases of a potential emergency.
Share resources to assist parents, families, parent engagement specialists, and parent advocacy groups in collaborating and supporting school safety efforts at the local and state levels.
Register on the REMS TA Center Website to participate here >>
Presenters:
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education
Beth Yeh, Education Program Specialist
REMS TA Center
Janelle Hughes, Project Director
Questions About the Event?
Contact the REMS TA Center Help Desk at 1-855-781-REMS [7367] or info@remstacenter.org from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.
Can’t make the live event? This Webinar will be archived on the REMS TA Center’s Website within 7 business days.

2022 Mississippi Virtual State Capitol Day Event
2022-03-01 12:00 - 14:00
AFSP State Capitol Day events bring together passionate volunteers to advocate for state policy changes that will improve mental health and prevent suicide. The event will include a brief training session on the basics of advocating for suicide prevention and current policy issues impacting our state.
Interested advocates will also have the opportunity to schedule video or phone calls with our state legislators following the event to:

Share with them why suicide prevention is important to YOU and to your community
Educate them about the work being done in your community to prevent suicide
Teach them what more must be done to prevent suicide

Event Contact: Meghan Goldbeck (mgoldbeck@afsp.org)
DATE: Tues. Mar. 1st
TIME: 12noon – 1pm OR 6:00pm – 7:00pm Central (choose 1 below)
LOCATION: Zoom – a link will be sent to all registered attendees prior to the event
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 2/27/22
Register here >>

MHDD Webinar Series: Promoting Resilience in Families During COVID
2022-03-01 13:00 - 14:00
The Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities National Training Center

This webinar will focus on the impact of COVID-19 on family mental and emotional health and well-being and discuss strategies to promote resiliency with family members with co-occurring mental health and developmental disabilities.

Presenter: Carol Weitzman, M.D.
Co-Director of the Autism Spectrum Center Boston Children’s Hospital
Professor Emeritus Yale School of Medicine

Learning objectives:
-Know the impact of COVID-19 on family emotional, behavioral and developmental well-being
-Become familiar with the science of resiliency
-Learn strategies to promote resiliency in families

Register here >>

2021 GANGS Workshop
2022-03-03 09:00 - 16:00, 2022-03-04 09:00 - 16:00
FTC Prevention Services
Participants are presented with STRATEGIES to help strengthen community efforts and plans to combat local street gangs and address youth violence, keeping in mind that street gangs are extremely fluid and adapt to their environments.
Learn how to identify indicators of traditional street gang activity by their:

physical appearance,
traditions,
trends,
and more…

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Clinicians, Counselors, Social Workers, Therapists, Psychologists, and Interventionists
Advocates, Families, and Former Gang Members
Law Enforcement Personnel, School Security and Resource Officers
Public Health and Prevention Officials
Federal, State, and Local Officials and Lawmakers
Education Specialists and Researchers
Lawyers, Judges, and Court Officials

Register here >>

Family Connections
2022-03-03 12:30 - 13:30
Hosted by the National Family Support Technical Assistance Center, “Family Connections” is a virtual community for parents and caregivers who support loved ones facing substance use and/or mental health challenges. Families tell us they need credible resources, guidance to accessing help, and the opportunity to connect with others facing similar challenges. Monthly gatherings will focus on a specific topic, provide tips and tools, and offer the opportunity to network with other families.
Family Connections take place the first Thursday of every month at 1:30 p.m. ET.
Our March discussion topic is “What Parents & Caregivers Need to Know About Eating Disorders.”
Join us from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 3rd.
Moderator:

Gena Fitzgerald, Senior Director, Family Outreach and Support, SAFE Project

Look for details about speakers and learning objectives to be posted soon.

This event is free and open to all families who are impacted by mental health and/or substance use challenges and to the workforce, organizations and communities that support them. Request No-Cost Technical Assistance or Training from NFSTAC at: www.nfstac.org/request-ta.
Providing Family Support Across the Lifespan | www.nfstac.org | info@nfstac.org
The National Family Support Technical Assistance Center of Excellence (COE) Grant #1H79F6000160-Fam-CoE is funded by SAMHSA.
Register here >>

NWI Webinar: Wraparound & the FFPSA
2022-03-08 14:30 - 16:00
Wraparound is now eligible for Title IV-E reimbursement under the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA); however, the designation of “Promising” means states that include Wraparound in FFPSA five-year plans must also have a well-designed and rigorous evaluation strategy, as well as a plan for fidelity monitoring and continuous quality improvement (CQI). This webinar, Wraparound and the FFPSA: Opportunities and Requirements for States, will provide a brief background on FFPSA and the Clearinghouse decision for Wraparound, followed by guidance on how to develop a “well-designed and rigorous evaluation strategy” in state plans. Q&A and discussion among attendees will follow the presentation.
Also, see NWI Guidance for FFPSA Evaluation Plans for Wraparound for additional information on this topic.
Register here >>

Embracing Culturally Responsive Programs for Black LGBTQ+ People
2022-03-09 12:30 - 14:00
Join The Institute’s Center of Excellence for LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health for Embracing Culturally Responsive Programs and Practices for Black and African American LGBTQ+ People. This webinar will review evidence-based, culturally responsive programs, followed by a discussion with providers who have adapted their practices to meet the needs of Black and African American clients.
Register now: Non-credit RegistrationCEU RegistrationCME Registration

Autoestima: Valoración de Mí Misma con Ana Laura Garza García
2022-03-10 12:00
Be Strong Families
Autoesima es la capacidad que tienes de amarte a ti mism@. Tu autoestima es la primera y más importante de tus relaciones: tiene una relación directa con todas tus relaciones interpersonales. Una autoestima saludable te ayudará a establecer sanos límites de convivencia con quienes te rodean. ¿Estás list@ para llevar tus relaciones interpersonales al siguiente nivel?
Be Strong Families está ofreciendo a través de su página web, oportunidades increíbles para aprender en línea, crecer y compartir juntos. A partir del 23 de marzo, 2020 hemos estado ofreciendo seminarios web gratuitos. Te esperamos los días martes y jueves a la 12:00PM hora central y aprendamos juntos sobre temas relacionados con Manteniéndonos Fuertes y Positivos para Nosotros Mismos y Nuestros Hijos. Todos los talleres serán presentados por oradores nativos y/o profesionales originarios de países de habla hispana.
Registrarse aquí >>

NTTAC Event: Words Matter Discussion Series
2022-03-10 13:00 - 14:00
The National Training and Technical Assistance Center for Child, Youth, and Family Mental Health
The adage of “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is not really true – Words can hurt, but they can also heal. Please join us for the Words Matter series where we engage in open and authentic discussions about the impact of common terminology used in child serving systems with those that are directly affected. Our goal is to illuminate how the terms we use can influence perception, approach, and practice, as well as explore alternative language as a means of intentionally shifting how we view and interact with youth, families, and each other.
All sessions will be hosted simultaneously on Zoom and Facebook Live with the inaugural session on January 13th focusing on the term “system of care.”
Register here >>

What is a System of Care and How Do MAP Teams Help Families?
2022-03-10 14:00
The term “System of Care” is often used to describe mental health approaches and is actually mandated in Mississippi state law. This session is part of a three part series in March and focuses on Making A Plan (MAP) Teams – what they are and how they help families. We will discuss MAP teams as the single point of entry and re-entry into the System of Care and how this relates to current proposed policies and laws. This webinar explains the infrastructure of Mississippi’s system of care and the laws that tell how it is supposed to function. This series is meant to familiarize families and those working with them with system of care concepts and relate them back to current and proposed laws and policies. All sessions are appropriate for families, those working with them and policymakers.

Register here >>

The Shame of Mental Health
2022-03-10 18:00 - 19:00
Stronger Hope M.B. Church
Christine Williams will speak on the shame surrounding mental health on March 10 from 6-7 PM at the Stronger Hope M.B. Church.

A Taste of Cafés
2022-03-11 12:00
Be Strong Families
Our Taste of Café series gives you a preview of Cafés—Be Strong Families’ internationally known, structured, small group conversations! This week’s event will provide a taste of our A More Perfect Union Parent Café.
Be Strong Families has been hosting daily webinars in English and Spanish since March 23, 2020. Webinars are streamed live and recordings are available on our YouTube channel. Certificates are offered for those who need them.
To browse topics, stream recordings, or download presentation slides from previous webinars, click here.
Be Strong Families está ofreciendo a través de su página web, oportunidades increíbles para aprender en línea, crecer y compartir juntos. A partir del 23 de marzo, 2020 hemos estado ofreciendo seminarios web gratuitos. Te esperamos los días martes y jueves a la 12:00PM hora central y aprendamos juntos sobre temas relacionados con Manteniéndonos Fuertes y Positivos para Nosotros Mismos y Nuestros Hijos. Todos los talleres serán presentados por oradores nativos y/o profesionales originarios de países de habla hispana.
Register here >>

State and National Initiatives for Transforming Crisis Care Through 988
2022-03-14 15:00 - 16:00
In July 2022, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline will transition its 1-800 number to 988, a new, nationwide three-digit number for suicide response and mental health crisis care.
This shift represents a dramatic moment in terms of access to crisis care and enhanced integration of services across the crisis continuum. Want to stay informed of next steps?
Join us for our “State and National Initiatives for Transforming Crisis Care Through 988” webinar on Monday, March 14 (4-5 p.m. ET), to hear from the following guest speakers:

Chuck Ingoglia, President and CEO, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
James Wright, Chief of Crisis Center Operations, 988 Office, SAMHSA
Matt Taylor, Director of Network Development, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Brian Hepburn, Ph.D., Executive Director, National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors

Together, we will discuss the opportunities and challenges 988 poses for crisis care, as well as the growing body of 988 state-level legislation and the policy implications those bring.
We will also detail new initiatives within SAMHSA to support states in the rollout of 988 and outcomes from 50 988 State Planning Grants that were initiated by Vibrant Emotional Health.
The transition to 988 represents a milestone in mental health and substance use treatment. Learn how you can prepare for its arrival by registering today!
Questions? Contact us.

Ending Punitive School Discipline and Pivoting to Positive Initiatives
2022-03-15 14:00
The National Juvenile Justice Network
Did you know that many schools throughout the country are restraining and secluding children?
Restraint and seclusion are dangerous practices disproportionately inflicted on Black and Brown and disabled children as well as children with a history of trauma. Physical Restraint, which immobilizes or reduces the ability of a student to move their torso, arms, legs or head freely, and seclusion, which involuntarily confines a student alone in a room or area, exacerbate youth trauma. At a time when children are experiencing even greater increases in trauma and mental health challenges, it is imperative schools rethink their use of these practices.
Join us for a webinar to discuss why it is urgent that we stop further traumatizing and criminalizing children and focus on positive school discipline approaches.
Register here >>

Peer Support Training
2022-03-21 08:30 - 2022-03-25 16:30
Are you a parent or caregiver raising a child aged 0-21 who has mental health or behavioral health challenges? Would you like to use your lived experience to help another parent who is on the same journey?
Then being a parent peer supporter may be for you!
What is Parent Peer Support? Parent peer support is a parent/caregiver or using their lived experience to support another parent/caregiver who is going through similar experiences.
Who Can Be a Parent Peer Supporter? A parent peer supporter is a biological parent, adoptive parent, or caregiver with legal custody who is currently raising or has raised a child with these characteristics:

The child is currently between the ages of 0-21, or was when they first began having challenges.
The child has an emotional, social, behavioral or substance use disability.
The child received services in or navigated the mental health or a related system (for example, a child with an IEP related to behavior issues at school).

How Do I Become a Parent Peer Supporter? The Department of Mental Health certifies parent peer supporters in the mental health system. Families as Allies conducts virtual training for the certification. These are the dates of upcoming trainings:

March 21-25, 2022 – Virtual Training (Application Deadline: February 21, 2022)
May 16-20, 2022 – Virtual Training (Application Deadline: April 18, 2022)
July 18-22, 2022 – Virtual Training (Application Deadline: June 20, 2022)
September 12-16, 2022 – Virtual Training (Application Deadline: August 15, 2022)
November 14-18, 2022 – Virtual Training (Application Deadline: October 17, 2022)

Click here for the application packet.
Who Should Take the Training?
Any parent or caregiver who is raising a child who has challenges and:

Is interested in working for a community mental health center or another agency certified by the Department of Mental Health. Completing the training does not guarantee you a job, but it helps ensure you’ll be ready for one.
Is interested in doing part-time contractual work for Families as Allies. We are building our pool of contractual employees.
Supports parents in any system. This training will strengthen your skills and help you network with other parent peer supporters.
Would like to learn how to support other parents in the same shoes in any child-serving system. We currently have funds to pay training stipends to parents who are—or have been—involved in the youth court system and would like to learn how to support other parents going through the same thing. Contact us at 601-355-0915 or info@faams.org to learn more.

The Intersection of Mental Health, the Corrections System, and Individuals who Identify as LGBTQ+ and who experience SED/SMI
2022-03-22 13:00 - 14:30
A SAMHSA sponsored webinar
The number of individuals who identify as LBGTQ+ who are incarcerated has become disproportionate to the overall population of persons who are incarcerated. This is especially notable for individuals of color. Estimates are that these persons are ten times more likely to experience sexual assault while incarcerated. For the population that experiences SED/SMI, the mental health needs are reported as largely unmet, and many are released from detention/correction facilities with poorer mental health than was evident upon admission. This webinar will explore the many dimensions of support that are needed to create a safe, supportive environment for this population and will also delve into the explanations for why these individuals experience disproportionate incarceration rates.
Using a “table talk” format, this session will share the experiences of one man who identifies as LGBTQ+ and who has been incarcerated on several occasions. These experiences will be contrasted with the cutting-edge programmatic development that is occurring at the District of Columbia Jail.
This session will be followed shortly by an intimate dialogue with the presenters, allowing participants the opportunity to dig deeper into this topic.
Presenters: Joan Gillece, Ph.D., Raul Almazar, R.N., M.A., Randy Killings, CASAC T, and Beth Jordan, MD, CCHD
Register here >>

The Early Years Conference
2022-03-23 08:30 - 16:00
Mississippi Parent Training and Information Center
The Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities’ MSPTI Project is pleased to announce that registration is open for our 2nd annual virtual early childhood conference, The Early Years: Building Blocks for Family Engagement.
We are excited to have Anne T. Henderson joining us this year to provide the keynote address. Anne is a senior consultant with the Community Organizing and Engagement Program at the Annenberg Institute for School Reform. Her specialty is the relationship between families and schools, and its impact on students’ success in school and through life.
Topics covered during the conference include family engagement, managing daily behavioral needs, transition from early intervention to school, and best practices for supporting children’s growth and development. Teachers will receive .5 CEUs (approval pending).
Stipends/Scholarships are available for parents who have children with disabilities.
Register here >>
