Mississippi Autism Advisory Committee
2022-06-21 10:00 (America/Chicago)
The Mississippi Autism Advisory Committee
The Mississippi Autism Advisory Committee (MAAC) was created by House Bill 11252 (2011 Regular Session) as the Legislature recognized an urgent need for strategies on how to best identify, treat, educate, accommodate and employ people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and assist their families. The MAAC’s mission is “to study, make recommendations and develop a strategic plan on how best to educate and train students with ASD to maximize their potential productivity within the workforce … and to develop an annual plan” outlining these strategies. The MAAC is tasked with writing a report to the legislature outlining any roadblocks to creating meaningful progress in the areas of mental health, education, medical and employment for people with ASD and their families.
Meeting Location:
Department of Mental Health 239 N. Lamar Street
Jackson MS 39201
Map this!
Contact Information:
Deborah Etzold
601-359-5777
deborah.etzold@dmh.ms.gov
Notice details:
https://www.ms.gov/dfa/pmn/Home/NoticeDetails/f8a4e33f-621e-478a-b70f-660e53878833

The Special Education Advisory Panel Meeting Notice
2022-06-22 10:00
The Special Education Advisory Panel
The Special Education Advisory Panel will meet on Wednesday, June 22, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. via Zoom. You may access the meeting either online or by phone.
Join Zoom Meeting Online: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89185899924?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 891 8589 9924 Passcode: [REDACTED]
Join Zoom Meeting by Phone: Dial by your location +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) Meeting ID: 891 8589 9924 Passcode: [REDACTED]
The Panel will hear public comments at 10:15 a.m. Written comments may be submitted to Dr. Armerita Tell, Mississippi Department of Education, P.O. Box 771, Jackson, Mississippi 39205-0771; email: atell@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 Dr. Armerita Tell at 601-359-3498.
website: https://www.mdek12.org/OSE/AP

Leadership Coaching and Policy Discussion
2022-06-22 12:00 - 13:00, 2022-07-27 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 >>

Digital Strategies to Foster Family Engagement in Addiction and Mental Health Support
2022-06-22 14:00 - 15:00
The National Family Support Technical Assistance Center
In this increasingly digital age, digital-based services can play a key role in engaging and supporting families with their loved ones’ substance use journeys. This webinar will explore the promises and pitfalls of digital-based and hybrid care services for families, opportunities to intervene with the concerned individual directly and/or the entire family, and how digital tools can be leveraged by practitioners and family members.
The intended audience for the webinar includes community service providers, public health professionals, clinical researchers, healthcare providers, substance use disorder treatment providers, and family members impacted by loved ones’
substance use and mental health difficulties.
Learning Objectives
Participants will develop an understanding of the unique benefits and challenges of family engagement in digital-based services.
Participants will grow their knowledge of specific services available to concerned family members of individuals facing substance use and mental health difficulties.
Participants will learn specific telehealth intervention strategies for the entire family along a continuum of youth substance use and mental health treatment and recovery.
Register here >>

Parent Peer Support Conversation for Anyone working with Parent Peer Supporters
2022-06-23 13:30 - 14:30
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 >>

Leadership Training for Parents and Caregivers
2022-06-25 09:00 - 16:00
This training is for anyone who is interested in learning to serve on decision-making groups and committees. This 8-hour training was developed by Family Voices National Center for Family Professional Partnerships.
Participants must attend all sessions, Modules 1-8 in order to receive their certificate. The trainer will read the evaluation questions after each module and participants will complete them as they are read. 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. Stipends are paid by check and require that the recipient complete a W-9 form. You can download a W-9 here: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw9.pdf

To help us be more responsive, we ask that you answer a few questions about yourself when you register.
Register here >>

Families as Allies Live!
2022-06-29 12:00
Please join us for this quarterly update about our recent events and future plans. Families as Allies is about ALL of us and we want to hear your ideas and feedback on how we can all move forward together on behalf of our children.
Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/faams.org/posts/406538864845421
Join us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcRUdJrgid0

Independent Living, Here We Come!
2022-07-01 12:00 - 12:30
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 Mississippi Parent Training and Information Center and 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 >>

2022 "Dash 'N Splash"
2022-07-02 09:00
Brain Injury Association of Mississippi
United Spinal Association – MS Chapter
5K Run, Walk & Roll, 1-Mile Fun Run After the Race, lots of WATERMELON, WATER SLIDES AND A GIANT WATER BALLOON BASH! Bring your family and your lawn chairs.
The first 300 people to register will receive a cool Race T-Shirt!
Register here >>

NAMI Basics
2022-07-06 18:30 - 21:00
National Alliance on Mental Illness El Paso
This event covers multiple weeks.
Join NAMI Basics, a 6-session course for adult parents and caregivers of children and adolescents formally or not yet diagnosed with a mental health condition. These may include ADD/ADHD, autism spectrum, depression, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, and other mental health conditions. Caregivers of children and adolescents affected by a mental health condition teach this 2½-hour course.
JULY 6 – AUG 10
6:30 PM – 9 PM (CST)
Register here >>

Drop In Family Support Time
2022-07-07 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.
Register here >>

Mississippi State Interagency Coordinating Council
2022-07-08 09:30
Mississippi State Interagency Coordinating Council
The Mississippi State Interagency Coordinating Council (MSICC) is an advisory council appointed by the Governor to advise and assist the Mississippi State Department of Health in implementing the requirements of Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Part C covers children from birth through age two.
The MSICC advises and assists the MSDH First Steps Early Intervention Program. Families and professionals are encouraged to attend. Public comments may be shared during each meeting.

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 >>

Supportive Coaching for Parents Supporting Other Parents
2022-07-13 12:00, 2022-08-10 12:00
For any parents supporting other parents in any system. Parent peer support specialists, parent consultants, parent educators and parents who have completed parent peer support training are strongly encouraged to attend. We will discuss current trends in parent peer support, national standards for parent peer support, continuing education opportunities, local and state issues affecting parent peer support. The group also provides support and coaching for any specific issues participants share. Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month at 12 noon. We ask that anyone attending respect the confidentiality of the group.
Register here >>

Mississippi Council on Developmental Disabilities
2022-07-14 10:00
Mississippi Council on Developmental Disabilities
MSCDD is a federally mandated body of advocates appointed by the Governor to promote a better quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities, their families, and their communities. Improvement in quality of life is accomplished through initiatives that promote advocacy, capacity building, and systems change. The current 25-member Council includes people with disabilities, parents, family member advocates, and required governmental representatives from public and private organizations. Membership reflects the diversity of the state.

MSCDD is funded by the U.S. Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. The Mississippi Department of Mental Health serves as the Designated State Agency for administrative and fiscal support.

The MSCDD office is located on the 5th floor of the Robert E. Lee Building at 239 North Lamar Street in Jackson. Staff: Executive Director – Charles Hughes, Jr., Program Coordinator – Christy Ashley, Administrative Assistant – Comma McDuffey. Website – https://www.mscdd.org/

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 >>

Virtual: Bring Your IEP and Other School Questions
2022-07-21 12:00
This hour is open for any family member to drop in for all or some of the time to ask questions or get feedback about IEP issues and other school 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 >>

Families as Allies Board Quarterly Board Meeting
2022-07-21 18:30 - 19:30
Quarterly board meeting of the board of Families as Allies. All meetings are open to the public and include time for public comments. Public comments can also be emailed to info@faams.org or faxed to 601-355-0919.

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 >>

Oxford Diaper Bank
2022-07-30 09:00 - 13:00
Free Diaper Giveaway
Do you know a family in need of diapers for their baby? The Oxford Diaper Bank is giving away FREE diapers, sizes NB-4T/5T.
Saturday, July 30
9am-1pm
Oxford Armory Pavilion

Mississippi Developmental Disabilities Network Community Listening Forums
2022-08-09 16:00 - 17:30, 2022-08-16 16:00 - 17:30
The Mississippi Developmental Disabilities Network is hitting the road and wants to meet with you! DRMS, along with our partners at Mississippi Council on Developmental Disabilities and Institute for Disability Studies, will be hosting community forums in the Jackson, Gulf Coast, and Southaven areas in August.
Mark your calendars! Not in the area or can’t make it? We’ll have an online opportunity for you to provide input available next month.
Find out more.
https://www.facebook.com/DisRightsMS/photos/a.282792985090431/5274311209271892/?type=3

Joint Planning Council Meeting
2022-08-11 10:00 - 12:00
Department of Mental Health
Joint Mental Health and Substance Use Planning Council
Meeting Location:
Mississippi State Hospital
Building 71
3550 MS-468
Pearl, MS 39208

Board of Mental Health Meeting
2022-08-18 09:00
State Agency: Department of Mental Health

Board Committee meetings will be held prior to the Board meeting. The full Board will begin at 9 a.m.
Click here for notice information:
https://www.ms.gov/dfa/pmn/Home/NoticeDetails/de06a2fe-aaa4-4af6-8641-444897be4d76

Meeting Location-in person
Department of Mental Health
239 N. Lamar Street 1101 Robert E. Lee Building
Jackson, MS. 39201
Contact Information
Grenaye Sullivan 601-359-6260
grenaye.sullivan@dmh.ms.gov

Teleconference line available to DMH board members only.
