Families as Allies

Data Release: Early Childhood Network Mapping Survey Results
2022-01-28 12:00 (America/Chicago)
Join the Child Health & Development Project: Mississippi Thrive!, Mississippi Families for Kids, and Families as Allies for this virtual event as we share the results of a statewide survey of early childhood professionals regarding the status of early childhood partnerships and efforts in Mississippi.
This survey was distributed by the Help Me Grow National Center, in partnership with Visible Network Labs, on behalf of the Child Health & Development Project: Mississippi Thrive! and Mississippi Families for Kids.
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Parent Peer Support Conversation for Anyone working with Parent Peer Supporters
2022-01-28 10:00, 2022-01-20 15:00
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.

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3rd Annual Teen Dating Violence Awareness Summit: Operation Fearless
2022-01-28 09:00 - 14:00
Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Teen dating violence is a problem of epidemic proportions that has plagued our nation for decades. Thousands and even millions of teens around the country, both boys and girls, are abused in one way or another every year.
Teens often think some behaviors, like teasing and name-calling, are a “normal” part of a relationship, but these behaviors can become abusive and develop into serious forms of violence. Many teens do not report unhealthy behaviors because they are afraid to tell family and friends. Nearly 1 in 11 female and approximately 1 in 14 male high school students report having experienced physical dating violence in the last year. About 1 in 8 female and 1 in 26 male high school students report having experienced sexual dating violence in the last year. (CDC, 2021).
Bullying often leads to suicidal tendencies among children and youth. It leads to psychological disorders related to depression, violent behavior, and drug abuse. Students reporting frequent bullying by others are at a high risk of suicidal behavior. Victims of bullying by peers are 2.2 times more likely to develop a suicidal tendency. These students are 2.6 times more likely to commit suicide as compared to the normal students.
While the numbers surrounding these unfortunate anomalies are troubling, there is reason for hope. Join MCADV for the 3rd Annual Virtual Teen Dating Violence Awareness Summit as we host phenomenal speakers who will inform, empower, inspire, educate, engage and aid teens in their quest in becoming a FEARLESS HERO!
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Leadership and Policy Discussion
2022-01-26 12:00
This group focuses on understanding current policy issues and also opportunities for leadership training graduates to serve on decision-making committees.
Meetings are held on the 4th Wednesday of every month at 12 noon.
Leadership training graduates are strongly encouraged to attend, but the meetings are open to anyone who is interested in learning more about policy.
January’s meeting will focus on how to look up and read proposed bills, as well as some bills that might be of particular interest to families.
Register here >>

8th Annual Virtual Community Partnership Celebration and Open House
2022-01-24 17:30
Families as Allies have touched the lives of many children and families over the past year because of your generous support. This year we’re combining our Annual Community Partnership with our Annual Open House into one virtual event.
Tickets are free, and sponsorships are available!
Register here >>
If you or your organization would like to become a sponsor you can do so by clicking here or by contacting Joy Hogge at 601-355-0915 or emailing her at jhogge@faams.org.

Families as Allies Board Quarterly Board Meeting
2022-01-20 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 >>

Virtual: Bring Your IEP and Other School Questions
2022-01-20 12:00, 2021-12-16 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.
Join here >>

The Mississippi State Board of Education Meeting
2022-01-20 10:00 | Central High School, Location: Central High School Building, 359 N. West St., Jackson, MS, 4th floor Board Room, Jackson, MS
Mississippi State Board of Education

Mississippi State Board of Education meetings can be viewed via live stream.

Date: 10 a.m., January 20, 2022
Location: Central High School Building, 359 N. West St., Jackson, MS, 4th floor Board Room

Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act: After High School
2022-01-19 11:00 - 11:30
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>>

Educational Options: What’s Available in Mississippi?
2022-01-18 12:00 - 12:30
Mississippi Parent Training and Information Center
Educational choices available to families are growing in Mississippi. Join us for this session. We will discuss the educational options available to families.
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School-Based Suicide Prevention
2022-01-14 13:00 - 14:30
National Institute of Mental Health
This webinar – hosted by the National Institute of Mental Health – will provide an opportunity for diverse stakeholders, including school administrators, researchers, practitioners, policy makers and funders, to learn about new and innovative practices in school-based suicide prevention, with a particular focus on risk identification, follow up, and referral for additional services for high-risk youth. In addition to describing the programs, presenters will also discuss preliminary research efforts and/or challenges, as well as ways to overcome common barriers to implementing suicide prevention in schools, including data collection and evaluation.
The workshop is free to attend and will be viewable via zoom webinar.
Register here >>

Presenters
NIMH
Lynsay Ayer, PhD, Suicide Prevention Program Consultant
Belinda Sims, PhD, Training Director of Division of Services and Intervention Research
Baltimore City Public Schools
Stacey Davis, MS, Coordinator of Media and Instructional Technology
Holly Wilcox, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Akil Hamm, Chief of Police, Baltimore City Public Schools
Detroit City and Washtenaw County, MI Public Schools
Natalie Rodriguez-Quintana, PhD, Research Fellow
Jill Paladino, MPH, Program Lead
Robin Jacob, PhD, Associate Research Professor, School of Education, University of Michigan
Boston Public Schools
Shella Dennery, PhD, Director, Boston Children’s Neighborhood Partnerships Program
Andria Amador, EdD, Senior Director of Behavioral Health Services
Presenter Biographies
Who Should Attend
Researchers, mental health clinicians and practitioners, school administrators, and members of the public interested in school-based suicide prevention.

Supportive Coaching for Parents Supporting Other Parents
2022-01-12 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 pm. We ask that anyone attending respect the confidentiality of the group.

Join here >>

Navigating the IEP: Part 1
2022-01-12 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 us for part one in a series that will help you understand how to navigate this journey.
Register here>>

Free Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP®) Seminar I
2022-01-10 - 2022-01-12
Presented by Mental Health Association of South Mississippi
The course is for anyone who wants to learn about WRAP® and begin to incorporate it into their life to improve personal wellness and achieve an improved quality of life. Interactive workshop. Through participation, people can identify tools and action plans to counter the negative effects of life challenges and improve responses to disturbing thoughts and feelings to achieve improved states of wellness.
Two locations to choose from:
January 10 – 11 at Hinds Behavioral Health System, 8am – 5pm both days.
January 11 – 12 at North MS State Hospital, 8am – 5pm both days.
Access the registration file (PDF).

Drop In Family Support Time
2022-01-06 12:00, 2021-12-02 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>>

Positive Solutions for Families of Young Children with Challenging Behaviors
2021-12-20 12:00 - 13:00
Mississippi Parent Training and Information Center
Has life with your young child become filled with conflict and confusion? Does it seem as if the simplest activity can quickly turn into disaster when your child’s behavior is out of control? You are not alone!
Many, if not most, parents find themselves struggling with behavior at some point. The good news is that there are evidence based, effective strategies (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports -PBIS) that you can use to create POSITIVE and LASTING solutions for your family.
Register here >>

The Mississippi State Board of Education Meeting
2021-12-16 10:00 | Central High School, Location: Central High School Building, 359 N. West St., Jackson, MS, 4th floor Board Room, Jackson, MS
Mississippi State Board of Education

Mississippi State Board of Education meeting can be viewed via live stream.

Date: 10 a.m., December 16, 2021
Location: Central High School Building, 359 N. West St., Jackson, MS, 4th floor Board Room

Board of Mental Health Meeting
2021-12-16 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.

MEETING LOCATION-in person
Department of Mental Health 239 N. Lamar Street
Jackson MS 39201
CONTACT INFORMATION
Grenaye Sullivan 6013596260
grenaye.sullivan@dmh.ms.gov

Virtual Event: Grand Connections: A New Program to Support Grandparents Caring for Grandchildren Under 5
2021-12-15 13:00 - 14:00
ZERO TO THREE
In the absence of accessible and affordable options for working families, grandparents have increasingly become the cornerstone of early child care in the U.S. One out of four children under 5 years old is cared for by a grandparent while a parent works or goes to school. The number of multigenerational families (three or more generations living in the same household) is up. The number of families in which grandparents are raising grandchildren has jumped up as well.
Join ZERO TO THREE for this webinar describing the joys and challenges of grandparents caring for young grandchildren and learn about the new, one-of-a-kind curriculum we’ve designed to meet grandparents’ needs. Seven 90-minute workshops provide a chance for grandparents to connect and learn from each other, explore the latest child-rearing advice, and develop strategies for collaborating with their adult children on child care. Each workshop also includes a 30-minute picture book and activity grandparents and grandchildren can enjoy together.
Learners will be able to:

Describe the needs of grandparents caring for grandchildren under 5.
Inspect the Grand Connections workshop materials designed to meet grandparents’ needs.
Justify the time/staffing/funding needed to run a Grand Connections program at their site.

Register here >>

Supportive Coaching for Parents Supporting Other Parents
2021-12-15 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 third Wednesday of the month at 12 noon. We ask that anyone attending respect the confidentiality of the group.

Join here >>

Mississippi Division of Medicaid - Medical Care Advisory Committee Meeting
2021-12-10 13:00
Mississippi Division of Medicaid
The Medical Care Advisory Committee is mandated in federal law to advise the Division of Medicaid. By law, the committee must include Board-certified physicians and other representatives of the health professions who are familiar with the medical needs of low-income population groups; members of consumers’ groups, including Medicaid beneficiaries, and consumer organizations, and the director of the public welfare department or the public health department. The committee will meet December 10, 2021 – 1:00 PM at the Woolfolk Building – Conference Room 145 501 North West Street, Jackson, MS 39201.

See meeting agenda here >>

COVID-19 Vaccines for School-Aged Children: What Parents and Families Should Know
2021-12-09 19:00 - 20:00
NAFSCE and the U.S. Department of Education

During this time of thanksgiving, we are so grateful that the large majority of schools are fully opened for in-school experiences. As yet another step in providing a safe in-school experience for students, children ages 5 to 11 are now eligible to receive vaccinations specifically formulated for young children. With that in mind, it is the goal of NAFSCE and the U.S. Department of Ed provide parents and practitioners with the latest research and information so parents are able to make the best decision they can around vaccinating their children. This webinar is a unique opportunity for parents and family engagement practitioners to ask questions, share their ideas and concerns, and to get their questions answered.
Please join NAFSCE and the U.S. Department of Education on December 9 at 8:00pm, ET for an informational webinar following the official approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech age 5-11 vaccine. During the webinar, panelists including United States Deputy Secretary of Education Cindy Marten, along with representatives from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics, will join NAFSCE Executive Director, Vito Borrello for a series of presentations and constructive conversation to support parents and families as they consider the COVID-19 vaccine for their child(ren).
● How was the vaccine developed?
● How many children participated in the study for approval?
● Will my child(ren) be safe taking the vaccine?
● What are the side effects?
● Should my child(ren) get the vaccine?
● Where can I take my child to get the vaccine?
Parents are invited to submit questions about the vaccine on the registration form. Pre-submitted questions will help plan the content of the session. Time will also be reserved for live questions and answers at the end of the event.

Register here>>

Getting Candid: Framing the Conversation around Youth Substance Use Prevention
2021-12-09 12:30
Sixty-eight percent of youth surveyed in a national assessment identified health care providers as the most trusted messengers for conversations on substance use prevention – highlighting a provider’s critical role in preventing substance use. Yet, engaging young people in conversations related to health behaviors, especially substance use, can be challenging, even for trained professionals.
This webinar will review findings from the National Council’s Youth Substance Use & Message Development During COVID-19 initiative to prepare providers to deliver youth substance use prevention messages.
Attendees will learn how to:
• Identify the impact of COVID-19 on youth mental wellbeing and substance use.
• Recognize the discrepancies in perceptions of youth versus adult provider of impactful prevention communication.
• Build rapport and trust with youth in delivering messages and discussing health related behaviors.
• Frame conversations and deliver impactful substance use prevention messages to youth.

Register here >>

The Impact of CCBHCs: How the CCBHC Model is Transforming Patient Care and Staff Training
2021-12-08 12:00
Relias and the National Council for Mental Wellbeing

Since 2017, the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) demonstration program has significantly improved access to quality mental health and addiction care in community-based settings. Today, there are more than 430 CCBHCs operating in 40 states plus Washington, D.C. and Guam.
With a growing number of states moving to implement the model – similar to other value-based or alternative payment models – independently via state plan amendment or Medicaid waiver, how can clinics seize the opportunity to leverage CCBHC status and funding to enhance staff training and clinical operations.Learning objectives:
• Why states are turning to the CCBHC model as the ‘gold standard of delivery system transformation.
• Opportunities the CCBHC model presents for clinics – and highlights on how the eight original demonstration states have transformed behavioral health systems.
• How clinics can improve staff training on the required CCBHC certification criteria, including trauma-informed care, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), substance-use disorder, and crisis prevention.

Register here >>

The Special Education Advisory Panel Meeting Notice
2021-12-08 10:00
The Special Education Advisory Panel
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.
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]
Join here >>

Getting Candid: Youth Mental Wellbeing Q&A
2021-12-02 15:00 - 17:00
Hosted by the Youth Ambassadors, the Youth Mental Wellbeing Q&A aims to provide youth and youth-serving providers with access to board-certified psychiatrists to get accurate, science-based information about youth substance use and mental health. Visit bit.ly/GettingCandid to submit your anonymous questions about alcohol and other drug use, and youth mental wellbeing. Your questions will be answered by Dr. Mark Edelstein and Dr. Kimberly Gordon-Achebe in a live event on December 2, 4:00-4:45pm EST.

Register here >>

Families Aging with Mental Health and Substance Use
2021-12-01 12:00 - 14:00
The National Family Support Technical Assistance Center of Excellence

Join us for a rich presentation and discussion with a national expert in aging and a parent/caregiver expert on families with the lived experience caring for an older adult who struggles with mental illness.
This webinar will focus on understanding the unique needs of this vulnerable population, the needs of their caregivers, and the concerns and challenges they face. Our goal is to provide valuable information, resources and tools to both caregivers and support professionals that will help ensure older adults with mental health needs live full lives with the best outcomes possible.
This free event is made possible through SAMHSA funding, which requires data collection and reporting. The questions included in our registration form are a requirement of our funding.

Register here >>
