Families as Allies

Drop In Family Support Time
2022-07-07 12:00, 2022-09-01 12:00, 2022-10-06 12:00 (America/Chicago)
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.
Register here >>

The Family Role in Transition Planning
2022-07-11 11:00 - 11:30
Mississippi Parent Training and Information Center
Let’s talk about the importance of self-advocacy, and what families/parents can do to help youth with planning for the future. The message of the session is simple: Access to information and resources will strengthen families/parents ability to participate in the process and improve the transition into the community for youth and young adults.
Register here >>

988 and What it means for Families of People with Serious Mental Illness
2022-07-11 13:00 - 14:30
A SAMHSA-Sponsored Webinar
988*, the new three-digit number for mental health and suicidal crises, will be available nationwide by July 16, 2022. Once live, 988 is poised to change the way communities respond to people in crisis, connecting individuals to trained crisis counselors that can provide de-escalation and mental health intervention services by phone. This new number holds lots of promise, but what does this change mean for families of people with serious mental illness?
During this webinar, hear from experts about the national rollout of 988, and how families and people with serious mental illness are involved. Learn from advocates working in two different states about what is going right and where efforts are coming up against challenges. Finally, hear how your family can prepare to use 988 when it becomes available, with practical tips for crisis planning.
Following this 90-minute webinar, participants will be able to register for Part Two, taking place on Monday, July 18th from 3:00 – 4:00 pm ET. Part Two will be a 60-minute intimate dialogue with the presenters and a smaller number of registered webinar participants from Part One, who will be able to ask more detailed questions and engage with the presenters more comprehensively.
Learning objectives:
1) Know what is happening nationally with the rollout of 988 and how the peer and family perspective is being represented.
2) Learn from two-state examples of how the peer and family perspective is being brought into discussions
3) Learn how individuals and their families can incorporate 988 in planning a possible mental health crisis
*988 will not be available widely until July 16, 2022. If you or a loved one is experiencing a crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat or text “HOME” to 741-741.
Speakers
Stephanie Pasternak, Director of State Affairs for NAMI
Joy Hogge, Ph.D., Executive Director of Families As Allies
Chris Bouneff, Executive Director of the Oregon chapter of NAMI
Teri Brister, Ph.D., Chief Program Officer at NAMI

Register here >>

Parental Consent in Special Education
2022-07-14 10:00 - 10:30
Mississippi Parent Training and Information Center
What is parental consent? When will a parent be asked to sign documents giving consent? What happens if a parent doesn’t give consent? Join the MSPTI to learn more.
Register here >>

Peer Support Training
2022-07-18 08:30 - 2022-07-22 16:30
Are you a parent or caregiver raising or 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:

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.

Navigating the IEP: Part 1
2022-07-19 10:30 - 11:00
Mississippi Parent Training and Information Center
As a parent, the IEP process can often seem like a maze. There are so many parts to the process it’s often overwhelming. Join the Mississippi Parent Training and Information Center for part one in a series that will help you understand how to navigate this journey.
Register here >>

Request, Referral, and Consent
2022-07-21 11:00 - 12:00
Mississippi Parent Training and Information Center
Request, Referral, and Consent: What do these three words mean to parents? Do you know how to request evaluations, make a referral or what you must give written consent for before evaluations or services can begin? Join the Mississippi Parent Training and Information Center and learn what you need to know and how to use the information as you advocate for your child.
Register here >>

Eighth Annual Special Education Law Conference & CLE
2022-07-27 09:00 - 16:45
The Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities Presents
Eighth Annual Special Education Law Conference & CLE
The conference will include an overview of special education-related laws, benefits laws related to children with disabilities, ethics, dispute resolution, and recent rulings and decisions impacting special education.
Ron Morton, LLM and certified elder law attorney will talk about Benefits related to children with disabilities
Judith Gran, a nationally recognized special education attorney, will present our Ethics hour (Who Is The Client In Special Ed Matters) and will give an Update On Important Rulings and Decisions
Pam Dollar, executive director of the Coalition, and Julian Miller, special education attorney and children’s advocate, will present on Dispute Resolution Proceedings and Options
6 CLE hours for attorneys (includes 1 hour of ethics)
Teachers .6 CEU hours (applied for)
Registration Fee
Attorneys (6 CLE hours including 1 ethics hour) – $150
Non-Attorneys – $150
Students (student ID required) – $75
A limited number of stipends/scholarships are available for parents of students with disabilities. Please indicate when you register if you are requesting a parent stipend.
Refund Policy: No refunds will be given. A substitute participant may be designated in place of a registrant who is unable to attend.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL
(601) 969-0601
Register here >>

Leadership Coaching and Policy Discussion
2022-07-27 12:00 - 13:00, 2022-08-24 12:00 - 13:00, 2022-09-28 12:00 - 13:00, 2022-10-26 12:00 - 13:00
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 >>

Peer Support Training
2022-09-12 08:30 - 2022-09-16 16:30
Are you a parent or caregiver raising or 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:

September 12-16, 2022 – Virtual Training (Application Deadline: August 15, 2022)
November 14-18, 2022 – Virtual Training (Application Deadline: October 17, 2022)
January 9-13, 2023 – Virtual Training (Application Deadline: December 5, 2022)
March 20-24, 2023 – Virtual Training (Application Deadline: February 17, 2023)
May 15-19, 2023 – Virtual Training (Application Deadline: April 14, 2023)

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.

Food for Thought Presentation - Stress Management - CEU available!
2022-09-21 11:30 - 13:00 | Knight Nonprofit Center, 11975 Seaway Rd, Gulfport, Mississippi, 39503, United States
Gulfport Behavioral Health System
Stress affects everyone at times and learning to deal with stress effectively is essential to our well-being. Speaker: Hope Beaver, Ph.D.
Complementary lunch will be served at 11:30 am, program starts promptly at noon.
This program is approved for one (1) general CEU credit through the MS Board of Examiners for Social Work and Marriage and Family Therapists.
Completion certificate will be available for all participants that attend with completed evaluation.
Register here >>
Contact
Stephen East
Gulfport Behavioral Health System
228-731-2235
stephen.east@uhsinc.com

Independent Living: Here We Come!
2022-09-22 10:00 - 11:00
Mississippi Parent Training and Information Center
Preparing for independent living is an exciting time in any youth’s journey towards adulthood. For youth with disabilities and their families, this is a time filled with questions and challenges. Join us as we explore a skills checklist to help parents and youth know where they are and what they need to work on in their journey to independent living. We will talk about the importance of self-advocacy and what families/parents can do to help youth and young adults with planning for the future.
Register here >>

What is LFPP and How Can It Help You?
2022-09-22 14:00 - 15:00
Learn about the work of the Family Voices Leadership in Family and Professional Partnerships (LFPP) program and how to access its resources and offerings! LFPP assists family organizations, Title V agencies, and other partners in the field.
Register here >>

Getting and Keeping the First Job
2022-09-27 10:00 - 11:00
Mississippi Parent Training and Information Center
Participants will learn the importance of disability self-awareness, how families can help youth with career planning, and strategies to navigate resumes, job interviews, and job accommodations. Particular attention is paid to the role of families in the career exploration and job hunting process. The message of the session is simple: families who understand the world of work and who maintain high expectations of their youth can play a pivotal role in the employment success of youth with disabilities.
Register here >>

Bullying Prevention: How Parents and Families Can Help
2022-09-27 12:00
Mississippi Parent Training and Information Center

October is National Bullying Prevention Month and everyone can do something to help prevent bullying; individuals, schools, and communities each have an important role! Bullying is real. It happens every day. Bullying hurts, emotionally and physically. Sometimes bullying even kills. But YOU can help the kids in your life to stop school bullying. We have the power to make a difference. Every adult who is raising a child can help in the effort to eliminate bullying by talking honestly and openly with that child about bullying experiences at school. Join us to learn what you can do as we discuss ways other family members are helping to stop school bullying.

Presented by: Patty Gautier, Family, Data & Dissemination Coordinator, REACH MS

Register here >>

Suicide Prevention & Postvention
2022-10-04 16:00 - 18:00
NFusion Metro Hand and Hand
The purpose of this event is to bring awareness to suicide and ways that the community, professionals and stakeholders can work together in order to help one another.
Location: TBA prior to the event.
For more information or to RSVP, please call (769)233-7429.

Family Connections
2022-10-06 14:30 - 15:30
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 on 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. Join us October 6th from 1:30 – 2:30 pm for Be Strong and Carry On with Dana Asby, Program Specialist for the National Federation of Families and the National Family Support Technical Assistance Center.
Description: If there’s anything we’ve learned over the past few years, it’s that stress — and its ongoing effects — do not discriminate. It doesn’t care who you are, what you need to get done, or that you need to get back to sleep so you can work tomorrow. Keeping “calm” doesn’t always help you “carry on,” but strengthening your knowledge about stress, understanding its physical effects, and building new routines to interrupt the stress response cycle can give you a stronger foundation, so you are strong enough to carry on.
Learn how you and your family can stay “present” during times of uncertainty and increasing stress. Join us for a conversation and stress-reduction practice session with our own Dana Asby, project specialist for NFSTAC and the Federation of Families. Dana is a developmental and educational psychology researcher and author, as well as mental health and transformational leadership educator.
Learning Objectives:

Participants will understand the various types of stress and resulting effects on the mind, body, and spirit, plus what happens when a stress-response cycle never turns “off.”
Participants will learn how to gradually build or rebuild healthy habits and routines that can change their day and benefit parents, caregivers, and their family members.
Acceptance Focus: Participants will learn why accepting and addressing daily stressors is a useful tool to build the formula that works for them — by recognizing that they can develop full control of their own reactions to stressors.

Register here >>

Drop In Family Support Time
2022-11-03 12:00, 2022-12-01 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.
Does your school ever call and ask you to come pick up your child who has an IEP because your child is upset?
Has the school told you to take your child for an evaluation and not bring them back to school until you get an evaluation?
Do you ever wonder if your child needs an IEP? Does your child have an IEP and you wonder whether or not it is working?
If you said yes to any of these questions, or you have other questions about things going on in your child’s school, then come join us.
Register here >>

OSEP Discipline & Behavior Guidance Webinar
2022-11-03 14:00
Office of Special Education Programs
Please join OSEP staff on November 3rd at 2pm (CDT) for a presentation and discussion regarding the Department’s recently released, Guidance to Help Schools Support Students with Disabilities and Avoid Disparities In the Use of Discipline. A general overview of the guidance package will be presented and key topics will be discussed, including informal removals and longstanding practices that have resulted in high rates of exclusionary discipline for children with disabilities, particularly children with disabilities of color. Additionally, technical assistance resources will be shared to support OSEP’s goal of shifting from an overreliance on exclusionary discipline to one of prevention and proactive attention to address the behavioral needs of children with disabilities. Time will be reserved for discussion and questions.
OSEP will highlight three documents within the guidance package:
Dear Colleague Letter on Implementation of IDEA Discipline Provisions by OSEP Director Valerie C. Williams
Questions and Answers Addressing the Needs of Children with Disabilities and IDEA’s Discipline Provisions
Positive Proactive Approaches to Supporting Children with Disabilities: A Guide for Stakeholders
Register here >>

Peer Support Training
2022-11-14 08:30 - 2022-11-18 16:30
Are you a parent or caregiver raising or 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:

November 14-18, 2022 – Virtual Training (Application Deadline: October 17, 2022)
January 9-13, 2023 – Virtual Training (Application Deadline: December 5, 2022)
March 20-24, 2023 – Virtual Training (Application Deadline: February 17, 2023)
May 15-19, 2023 – Virtual Training (Application Deadline: April 14, 2023)

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.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! K-12 Education Civil Rights Community Town hall
2022-11-15 15:30 - 17:00
The National Action Network Western Regional Education Taskforce in Coalition with Black Student Advocate, Black Men & Black Women United, and The Las Vegas Alliance of Black School Educators, MLK commUNITY & Circle of Life Development Foundation are proud to host and support this empowering session with the Office for Civil Rights.
Did you know the US Department of Education has an Office for Civil Rights? The Office for Civil Rights enforces several Federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance from the Department of Education.
Join us for a community town hall to learn about how the Office for Civil Rights ensures equal access to education and promotes educational excellence throughout the nation through vigorous enforcement of civil rights.
Expected outcomes:

Understanding the Office for Civil Rights and their work
Ability to identify and report discrimination in schools
Empowering information, resources, and tools related to K-12 Education Civil Rights

There will be a call to action led by the coalition at the end of this meeting!

Register here >>
Please send questions to have answered by the Office for Civil Rights or any questions you may have about this event to the session moderator:
Christina Laster
National Action Network
Western Regional Education Director
christina@theboldauthority.com

Tips for Effective IEP Meetings: Before, During and After
2022-12-08 11:30 - 12:30
Mississippi Parent Training and Information Center
It’s hard to remember everything you need to know for an IEP meeting. Join Mississippi Parent Training and Information Center and learn steps on how to prepare before, during and after the meeting.
Register here >>

Section 504, ADAA and Children with Disabilities or Special Health Care Needs: What Parents Need to Know
2022-12-13 11:00 - 12:00
Mississippi Parent Training and Information Center
When people think about educating students with disabilities, the first thing that may come to mind is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Although students can receive accommodations, related services, and special education under both Section 504 and IDEA, the two laws vary in a number of important ways. This presentation will provide parents with information to help them understand the law and what it means to their child.
Register here >>

I Don't Know How to Have a Happy Holiday: Grieving During the Holidays
2022-12-15 12:00
Center for Resilient Families at Arizona State University & The National Child Traumatic Stress Network

In this “I Don’t Know How” Series presented by the Center for Resilient Families at Arizona State University & The National Child Traumatic Stress Network, we explore difficult topics to equip parents with the tools to navigate and provide support for various mental health conditions.

Join us Thursday, December 15th at 1:00 pm ET/10:00 am PT, for “I Don’t Know How to Have a Happy Holidays.” We’ll hear from providers who are working with bereaved parents and caregivers as well as a parent advocate to explore personal experiences faced by parents whose families are struggling with grief and loss this holiday season and talk with providers who help youth and families cope with those feelings.

You can register for the webinar here: https://bit.ly/3Hm0Mnj
