Drop In Family Support Time
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 >>

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 >>

Supportive Coaching for Parents Supporting Other Parents
2022-10-12 12:00, 2022-11-09 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
2022-10-13 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/

Mississippi State Interagency Coordinating Council
2022-10-14 09:00 - 16:00
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 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.
In Person:
Two Mississippi Museums
Brunini Conference Room
222 North Street #1206
Jackson, MS 39201
Please use link below to access the zoom:
Online: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/522213847
Dial: 301-715-8592, 312-626-6799, or 346-248-7799
Meeting ID: 522 213 847

Community Resource and Health Fair
2022-10-15 09:30 - 12:30
St. Luther M. B. Church

Coats/socks/non-perishable food giveaway
Free Workshops
– Medicare/Medicaid/Wills/Healthy Lives
COVID 19 vaccinations/boosters
35 + vendors
Kids Park for ages. 5 years & up

For more information contact: 601-750-8680.

19th Annual ADHD and Related Concerns Conference - Virtual
2022-10-20 08:30 - 16:00 | Temple Baptist Church, Hattiesburg, MS, United States
Gulf Coast Education Initiative Consortium
Hattiesburg Clinic Connections and Psychology & Counseling are proud to offer the 19th Annual ADHD and Related Concerns Conference. In-person sessions will be available Oct. 20-21, 2022 at Temple Baptist Church in Hattiesburg, MS. Recorded on-demand sessions will be available 24 hours a day beginning October 24, 2022, through November 4, 2022. Registration fees include both in-person sessions and virtual recordings.
*Note: Credits for Counseling can only be earned by attending the live conference. No counseling credits are available through viewing recorded on-demand sessions.
This event has been created in order to provide an informative and educational learning experience for you with the hope that you will take every opportunity to expand your understanding of ADHD and related concerns.
If someone wants to register at the parent/caregiver rate of $75, they can call Stacy with GCEIC and register directly with her: (601) 528-5342.
Register below
https://www.gceic.org/adhd-and-related-concerns-conf

ADHD Conference Agenda below:
https://www.gceic.org/_files/ugd/506d4b_144c30df9e504a8cae9690a0308008a6.pdf
Registration fees
If you qualify for a discount code as a parent or multiple (3 or more from a district or organization), please call (601)528-5342 and ask for Stacy. You may also contact Stacy if you are paying personally and not using a purchase order. You may pay by check or PayPal if not use a purchase order. There will be an added PayPal Fee to any credit card or debit card transactions.
Registration fees will be paid to GCEIC and are as follows:
Early Rate (through September 16, 2022 at 11:59 pm) – $200
Regular Rate (from 12:00 am September 17 through October 7, 11:59 pm) – $220
Late Rate (from 12:00 am October 8) – $240
3 or more from the same district or organization get 10% off. (Contact GCEIC at 601.528.5342)
Parents/Caregivers – $75 (Contact GCEIC at 601.528.5342) (This discount fee is not eligible for credits)
There will be no pre-selection of sessions you wish to attend.
REFUNDS AND CANCELLATIONS
Registrations are transferable but not refundable. Requests to transfer registration to another person must be made in writing prior to the conference.
Requests may be faxed to 800-960-8493 or emailed to stacy.moseley@gceic.org. Requests may also be mailed to GCEIC, 11975 Seaway Rd., Suite A240, Gulfport, MS 39503.
CREDITS (applied for – not final)
If you are seeking credit, you must complete an evaluation for each session you attend. All credits are included in the cost of the registration(not valid for the parent/caregiver registration rate). Certificates of Attendance for out-of-state participants will be available online in the participant’s registration account once they have attended all sessions and completed the evaluation.

Board of Mental Health Meeting
2022-10-20 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/7d84118e-93de-4aed-97ab-5e79e11f5aa7

Meeting Location-in person
Ellisville State School 1101 Hwy 11 South
Ellisville, MS. 39437
Contact Information
Grenaye Sullivan 601-359-6260
grenaye.sullivan@dmh.ms.gov

Virtual: Bring Your IEP and Other School Questions
2022-10-20 12:00, 2022-11-17 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.
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 >>

Families as Allies Board Quarterly Board Meeting
2022-10-20 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 >>

Leadership Coaching and Policy Discussion
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 >>

Merchandise ‘n’ Mingle Vendor Sign Up
2022-10-29 08:00 - 14:00 | New jerusalem Church (North)
Mississippi Families For Kids
Enjoy food, crafts, resale vendors, music, games, and Trick or Treating Fun!
To become a vendor click the like below.
https://mffk.org/eventsfundraisers/

The National Federation's 2022 Conference
2022-11-03 - 2022-11-05
National Federation of Families
The National Federation of Families Annual Conference is the premier event for children and youth with mental health challenges and their families. Bringing together family members, young adults, and professionals in a safe setting, free from stigma and one that celebrates skills and successes, our annual conference generates a large amount of discussion on the current issues and trends pertaining to children’s mental health, from the perspective of a family-driven and youth-guided approach.
Our Annual Conference features many great workshops and speakers, joining hundreds of mental health advocates and professionals from across the nation as we work to educate and empower children, youth, and families!
Our conference offers families and the professionals who support them to:
• Improve policy and enhance practices for children and youth who have or are at risk of experiencing behavioral health challenges.
• Acquire skills and strategies that will improve outcomes for children and youth with behavioral health challenges.
• Gain knowledge of best practices and latest research in children’s mental health and related fields.
• Enrich understanding of different perspectives and common goals in support of all children, youth and families.
​Who should attend?
Parents & Caregivers, Youth & Young Adults, Social Workers, Psychologists, Special Education & Classroom Teachers, Therapists, Nurses, Pediatricians, Counselors, Corrections Workers, School Administrators, Early Childhood Professionals

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 >>

Joint Mental Health and Substance Use Planning Council
2022-11-10 10:00 - 12:00
Department of Mental Health
Joint Mental Health and Substance Use Planning Council

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 each year, the allocation and adequacy of mental health services within the State.

Meeting Location:
Mississippi State Hospital, Building 56
3550 MS-468,
Pearl, MS. 39208

This meeting will be in person/virtual. Click the link below to join virtually.
https://app.goto.com/meeting/928165021?sessionTrackingId=clsJoin-ca6b249f-720f-403e-8370-2e10fc7db1ea
Click the link below for more information.
https://www.ms.gov/dfa/pmn/Home/NoticeDetails/15fafe62-ff07-403b-9cbb-8a81fd5935be

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.

The Mississippi Autism Advisory Committee
2022-11-15 10:00
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

Contact Information:
Deborah Etzold
601-359-5777
deborah.etzold@dmh.ms.gov

The link below provides details for November’s meeting
https://www.ms.gov/dfa/pmn/Home/NoticeDetails/89ab8ec7-469f-4ef2-88a0-b80b1b348186

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

Mississippi Department of Education Public Hearing
2022-11-18 09:00
Mississippi Department of Education
The Mississippi Department of Education will hold a public hearing on proposed changes to the Mississippi College and Career Readiness Standards for Social Studies 2022.
Friday, November 18 | 9:00 am
Woolfolk State Office Building
Room 145
501 N West Street
Jackson, MS
All Mississippi residents wishing to speak at the hearing are required to register a minimum of three days before the hearing. Registration will close on Tuesday, November 15, at 9:00 am.
The proposed changes are available through the Secretary of State’s website: https://www.sos.ms.gov/adminsearch/ACProposed/00026579b.pdf
If you have any questions related to the public hearing, please email socialstudies@mdek12.org

Parent/Caregiver Peer Support Graduation
2022-11-18 12:45
Please join us in congratulating our newest class of parent peer support graduates. In addition to celebrating their accomplishments, this is a great opportunity to build the parent peer support community. We encourage friends and families of the graduates, as well as anyone who supports parent peer supporters or is interested in learning more about being a parent peer supporter, to attend.
Register here >>

Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Advisory Committee
2022-11-18 13:00
Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Advisory Committee
The Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Advisory Committee (EHDI-AC), established by state statute (MS Code 41-90-7), is an advisory committee appointed by the State Health Officer to advise and assist the Mississippi State Department of Health and the Mississippi State Interagency Coordinating Council for Early Intervention on the identification of infants and toddlers with hearing impairments and linking them with early intervention services.

Families as Allies Live
2022-11-30 12:00 - 13:00
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. We will discuss common school issues this time of year, including suspension and expulsions and risk assessments.
Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/679527800428694
Or on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3InuWAMW9vA

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 >>

NAMI Mississippi Holiday Hello 2022
2022-12-08 11:30 - 13:00 | NAMI Mississippi, 298 Commerce Park Dr. Suite C, Ridgeland, 39157, United States
NAMI Mississippi
NAMI Mississippi is inviting everyone to stop by and grab light snacks, or simply say “hello” and hear more about NAMI programs, and meet the staff, board members and volunteers.
Learn more here >>

Champions for Children Gala Raffle
2022-12-08 17:00
Mississippi Families for Kids
Are you feeling lucky?
Help Mississippi Families for Kids fundraise for 2023 services by purchasing Gala raffle tickets for a chance to win one of three amazing prizes!
Raffle tickets must be purchased online by 5 p.m. December 8th. If you are attending our Gala event, you can purchase raffle tickets in person until the drawing takes place at the end of the event.
Raffle tickets enter you into a drawing for:

House cleaning services from Home and Business Services and Property Management valued at $250
A Regions Cruiser Bike valued at $250
An Alaska cruise voucher for two on the Sapphire Princess departing from Anchorage on 7/5/23 provided by Pam Anderson- Cruise Planners valued at $2,750.

Once a winner is drawn for one item, they cannot win another item: no repeat winners.
Proceeds from the Champions For Children Gala benefit Mississippi Families for Kids a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Contributions are tax-deductible.
Purchase raffle tickets here >>
Thank you for your support.

Champions for Children Gala
2022-12-08 18:30 | Duling Hall, 622 Duling Ave., Jackson, MS, United States
Mississippi Families for Kids
Join Mississippi Families for Kids on December 8th at 6:30 for a gala to fundraise for permanency services for 2023!
Enjoy a night at Duling Hall in Jackson, MS filled with music, dinner, drinks, drawdown, and an online raffle. It will be a night of celebration!
Black tie attire encouraged.
Proceeds from the Champions For Children Gala benefit Mississippi Families for Kids a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Contributions are tax-deductible.
Purchase tickets here >>
