Families as Allies

7th Annual Virtual Community Partnership Celebration
2020-11-16 17:30 - 18:30 (America/Chicago)
Our virtual Community Partnership Celebration Fundraiser takes place this year on November 16th at 5:30 pm on Facebook Live as well as to people who don’t have a Facebook account. Register for a free ticket or to sign up to become a sponsor of the event. Come see and hear from the recipients of this year’s four awards for: Accountability, Valuing Every Child and Family, Excellence, and Partnership.
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or would like more info about sponsorship opportunities and details for the Community Partnership Celebration please contact Joy Hogge at jhogge@faams.org.

Coaching and Support - Monthly Session
2020-11-18 12:00 - 13:00, 2020-12-16 12:00 - 13:00
Join us via Zoom for our monthly Coaching and Support session for parents who are supporting other parents in any system. Click here to register.

Virtual Family Support Meeting
2020-11-19 12:00 - 13:00, 2020-12-03 12:00 - 13:00
This meeting is open to any parent or caregiver raising a child. There’s no specific agenda—we’re just here to check in with each other, discuss problems and concerns and support one another through this emotional time.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEkcemprDMsE9BtoFyjDP0TAE2Sep6Mb0eD
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

COVID-19 Town Hall for Hispanic/Latin Community
2020-11-19 18:00 - 19:00
The Mississippi State Department of Health invites the Hispanic/Latin community to a videoconference via ZOOM and La Noticia de MS via Facebook, on COVID-19 In the Hispanic/Latin Session 3.
(Lea la invitación en español.)
During the presentation, important information about COVID-19 will be offered, in reference to chronic illness, guidelines and recommendations to follow, medical advice to prevent COVID-19.
The professional panelist will listen to the concerns of the people with the community and answer questions.

Where: Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83010336492?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 830 1033 6492 Password: [REDACTED]

Facebook live, on La Noticia MS: https://www.facebook.com/LNdeMS/

[Photo by Cade Renfroe on Unsplash]

Leadership Training Graduates Coaching and Support Group
2020-11-24 12:00 - 13:00, 2021-01-27 12:00 - 13:00
This group will focus on opportunities for leadership training graduates to serve on decision-making groups, provide coaching guidance for those who are already serving on groups or about to serve on groups, and will be a place where graduates can discuss common concerns, problems and successes that will help them be more effective parent/caregiver leaders. Meetings will be held on the 4th Wednesday of every month at 12 noon. (Open only to leadership training graduates.)

Steps to Success: ﻿Making IEP Meetings Work
2020-12-02 12:00 - 13:00
Do you often leave your child’s IEP meeting feeling as if your concerns were not heard or addressed and that nothing has changed? You may be missing one of the steps covered in this training. Join us to learn how you can avoid some of the most common hurdles and how to have more productive IEP meetings and better outcomes for your child.

Webinar presented by MSPTI.

Register here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4810191159412466445

NAMI Family and Friends
2020-12-03 12:00 - 13:30
Join us and learn more about NAMI MS and NAMI Family & Friends training that teaches and informs people who have loved ones with a mental health condition how to best support them. It’s also an opportunity to meet other people in similar situations and gain community support.

Turn Everyday Moments into Brain-Building Moments
2020-12-08 12:00 - 13:00
The Child Health and Development Project: Mississippi Thrive! is a collaborative project of Mississippi State University’s (MSU) Social Science Research Center (SSRC) and the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s (UMMC) Children’s of Mississippi and is funded by the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA). Our mission is to improve the developmental health for young children (birth to age 5) in Mississippi. About one in six children experience developmental delays, but thankfully, identifying and addressing these delays early helps them have more successful outcomes. Our goal is to increase the number of families who experience all elements of a quality developmental health system. In this webinar we will discuss the importance of early childhood brain development and how adults can support young children’s brain architecture using tools like Vroom®. We will also share resources from our website for both families and professionals. When our children thrive, Mississippi thrives!

Register: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4517244977316618256

Virtual Family Support Meeting
2020-12-10 12:00 - 13:00, 2020-12-17 12:00 - 13:00
This meeting is open to any parent or caregiver raising a child. There’s no specific agenda—we’re just here to check in with each other, discuss problems and concerns and support one another through this emotional time.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYuf-ihqzMsGdUT051iAPrcLoA55EDgBaiJ
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Positive Solutions for Families of Young Children with Challenging Behavior
2020-12-14 12:00 - 13:00
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’re 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 solutions for your family. Join us.

Webinar presented by MSPTI.

Register here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6435973032444357903

HHRC Webinar: Eviction Prevention and Housing Retention During and After COVID-19
2020-12-16 14:00 - 15:30
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to economic hardship and housing instability for millions of Americans. With eviction moratoria expected to expire at the end of 2020, individuals and families are at risk of losing their housing. Join SAMHSA’s new Homeless and Housing Resource Center to explore strategies for eviction prevention and housing retention.
Participants will hear from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) leadership, an experienced housing attorney, and local Continuum of Care (CoC) leadership about implementing data-informed, targeted prevention efforts that prioritize racial equity and will learn strategies that can be implemented now to prevent future housing instability when the moratoria expire.
*Certificates of attendance will be provided upon request and completion of a post-webinar evaluation.
For questions about the event, please contact info@hhrctraining.org.

Learning at Home: Communication: Methods and Understanding
2020-12-17 12:00 - 13:00
Presented by: Brittany Herrington, PhD, Early Learning and SCD Specialist, REACH MS During this month’s meeting, we will discuss multiple types of communication methods including devices for purchase and “low tech” options. Information on how to understand your child’s communication will also be provided. There will be opportunities for questions and discussion.

Register here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6718997221038519567

Self-Help and the 2020 Holidays: Managing Stress
2020-12-18 12:30 - 14:00
This training from California’s Crisis and Recovery Enhancement (CARE) TA Center covers evidence-based self-help strategies to regulate difficult emotions that are common during the holidays and exacerbated for many during 2020’s pandemic-related grief and social distancing. Participants will learn about virtual support groups, apps to aid in self-regulation, emotion regulation skills from Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and a variety of local and national crisis and warm lines. The goal of this training is to disseminate self-help skills and resources that Californians can use to minimize the development of mental health crises.
Register here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAlceutqDkoGtJ50Rxjl42EURa82u2g0hq3

Virtual Family Support Meeting
2021-01-14 12:00 - 13:00
This meeting is open to any parent or caregiver raising a child. There’s no specific agenda—we’re just here to check in with each other, discuss problems and concerns and support one another through this emotional time.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0pdOCtpzwpG9OyHQE9d_374UaGcPUjyRcU
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Supportive Coaching for Parents Supporting Other Parents
2021-01-20 12:00 - 13:00
Join us via Zoom for our monthly Coaching and Support session for parents who are supporting other parents in any system.
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAlceusqT0jEteUoR6xMZaXzR97S22xmV_S

Virtual Family Support Meeting
2021-01-21 12:00 - 13:00
This meeting is open to any parent or caregiver raising a child. There’s no specific agenda—we’re just here to check in with each other, discuss problems and concerns and support one another through this emotional time.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUrceyspz4qGdXuCMCkJZZO5l2hf_0vUB2-
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Families As Allies Board Meeting
2021-01-21 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 >>

Family-Driven Practice: What It Means and Why It Matters
2021-01-22 10:00 - 11:00
Family-driven practice is a term frequently used in children’s mental health. It is a core value of a responsive system of care for children. It is also mandated in state law and a requirement in many federal grants. But what is it? This webinar explains what family-driven practice looks like in practice and how it affects policy. It also gives practical information about what family-driven practice is often confused with and the key role of family-run organizations in ensuring family-driven practice. Anyone working with families in any system, policymakers and families are encouraged to attend.

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bKbZL1gCTQqpc4ogqhVdGg

2021 New Year's Open House
2021-01-25 17:00 - 18:00
For the past seven years, Families as Allies has hosted a New Year Open House, bringing together old and new friends to enjoy each other’s fellowship, eat good food and plan how we can all work together in the New Year to make things better for our children. We typically also have art and other fun activities for children.
This year, our New Year Open House will happen virtually on Monday, January 25 at 5 PM. We are inviting all of you to share your thoughts and feedback about how we can all work together in 2021 to make things better for our children. We want to hear your ideas for Families as Allies, how we can work together with the systems that serve our children and any other thoughts you have about the New Year.
You can share your thoughts in video or in writing here, and we will respond live during the Open House. You can also share a piece of your child’s artwork at the same link.
There will be chances to respond to live questions and polls that night so please plan on tuning in Monday, January 25 at 5 PM. You will be able to join from either our Facebook page or our website.

Virtual Family Support Meeting
2021-01-28 12:00 - 13:00
This meeting is open to any parent or caregiver raising a child. There’s no specific agenda—we’re just here to check in with each other, discuss problems and concerns and support one another through this emotional time.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZItdu2vpzIqHtfj1cIMt-mCCwij5bIKZrvI
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

SSI Benefits for Children: Engaging Families for Successful SOAR Applications
2021-02-03 14:00 - 15:30
SSI for children can provide critical support to families who are experiencing or at-risk of homelessness. Establishing a child’s eligibility for SSI benefits requires engagement with various child-serving systems such as education, behavioral health, child welfare, and juvenile justice. Building relationships with these systems and engaging the entire family in the process is critical to submitting a successful SOAR-assisted child SSI application.
On this webinar, you will hear from seasoned SOAR providers who are having great success building relationships with families and professionals from child-serving systems in their communities. You will learn how to collaborate with medical providers to effectively document the child’s disability. Presenters will share their strategies on how to engage families and children using trauma-informed principles and promoting racial equity.
We will also share new SOAR TA Center tools and resources for using the SOAR model with SSI for children.
On this webinar, you will learn more about:

How to engage children and families using trauma-informed principles
How to build relationships with key stakeholders critical to developing and submitting quality SOAR-assisted SSI applications for children
How to access the SOAR Online Course: Child Curriculum and other SOAR tools and resources
Promoting racial, environmental, and economic equity when serving families and children in your community

Panelists:

Jon Katherine Martins, SOAR Practitioner/Local Lead, Emma Norton Services, Saint Paul, Minnesota
Martha Mesazaros, MPA, Assistant Administrator/SOAR Navigator, Lotus House Psychiatric Services, Citrus Health Network, Inc., Hialeah, Florida
Melissa Mays, Family Navigator, Flint Water Family Supports, Genesee Health System, Flint, Michigan

Virtual Family Support Meeting
2021-02-04 12:00 - 13:00
This meeting is open to any parent or caregiver raising a child. There’s no specific agenda—we’re just here to check in with each other, discuss problems and concerns and support one another through this emotional time.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwodeispzooGNBvb91DOGKLjYxdyTM51SHQ
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Procedural Safeguards: What is Child Find?
2021-02-05 10:00 - 11:00
It can be confusing to know what to do if it seems like a child has a disability that affects their learning and they are not currently receiving special education services. This session goes over what public schools are obligated to do if they become aware of children in this situation and how families can request evaluations for their children if they believe this to be the case. This is the first in a five part series about the procedural safeguards. Participants are welcome to attend any or all of the sessions. This training is appropriate for families and anyone who works with families in any system.
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RnKVLRCPRFy6UBiwv5byrA

Virtual Family Support Meeting
2021-02-11 12:00 - 13:00
This meeting is open to any parent or caregiver raising a child. There’s no specific agenda—we’re just here to check in with each other, discuss problems and concerns and support one another through this emotional time.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMufu-pqjssHNYChvWrPUMFLdEGg6Y6ozeo
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Supportive Coaching for Parents Supporting Other Parents
2021-02-17 12:00 - 13:00
Join us via Zoom for our monthly Coaching and Support session for parents who are supporting other parents in any system.
Register here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAof-2grzgqHtLSskmlqCY7nuGPwuNILbJS

MSPTI: Request, Referral and Consent
2021-02-17 12:00 - 13:00
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 us and learn what you need to know and how to use the information as you advocate for your child.

Register here: https://images.gotowebinar.com/bdeed95fb6d284f9d2845dad3f599d85
