Families as Allies

Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Advisory Committee
2026-02-20 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago)
Mississippi Department of Health
The Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Advisory Council will hold a public hearing on proposed changes to the Department of Health.
Microsoft Teams:
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 241 792 330 328 9
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Dial in by phone
+1 769-208-4410,,661876060# United States, Jackson
Find a local number
Phone conference ID: 661 876 060#
For organizers: Meeting options | Reset dial-in PIN
If you have any questions related to the public hearing, please get in touch with Ashten Yost by email at
Ashten.Yost@msdh.ms.gov.

Leadership Coaching and Policy Discussion
2026-02-25 12:00, 2026-03-25 12:00, 2026-04-22 12:00, 2026-05-27 12:00, 2026-06-24 12:00, 2026-07-22 12:00
Families as Allies
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>>

Supportive Coaching for Parents Supporting Other Parents
2026-03-11 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-04-08 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-05-13 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-06-10 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-07-08 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-08-12 12:00 - 13:00
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, and 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 each month at 12:00 p.m. We ask that anyone attending respect the confidentiality of the group.
Register here >>

Parent Caregiver Peer Support
2026-03-16 - 2026-03-20
Are you a parent or caregiver 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 on the same journey?

Then, being a parent peer supporter may be for you!

What is Parent-Peer Support? Parent-peer support is when a parent or caregiver uses their lived experience to support another parent or 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.
Upcoming training:

March 16-20, 2026

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.

Can’t make this Parent/Caregiver Peer Support Training?
Our upcoming training date are below:

May 11-15. 2026

Special Education Advisory Panel Meeting Notice
2026-03-18 10:00
Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services
(MDRS)
The Special Education Advisory Panel will meet via Zoom on Wednesday,March 18, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.. You may access the meeting either online or by phone.
The Zoom link will be sent closer to event time.
The Panel will hear public comments at 10:15 a.m.
Written comments may be submitted to Sharon Strong Coon at the
Mississippi Department of Education, P.O. Box 771, Jackson, Mississippi 39205-0771.
Email: scoon@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 Sharon Strong Coon or Mona Spells Adou at 601-359-3498.

Special Education Advisory Panel Meeting Notice
2026-03-18 10:00
Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services
(MDRS)
The Special Education Advisory Panel will meet via Zoom on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.. You may access the meeting either online or by phone.
The Zoom link will be sent closer to event time.
The Panel will hear public comments at 10:15 a.m.
Written comments may be submitted to Sharon Strong Coon at the
Mississippi Department of Education, P.O. Box 771, Jackson, Mississippi 39205-0771.
Email: scoon@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 Sharon Strong Coon or Mona Spells Adou at 601-359-3498.

Board of Mental Health Meeting
2026-03-19 09:30
Department of Mental Health

The Department of Mental Health Regular Board meeting will be held on March 19, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Click here for notice information.

Meeting Location

Board Committee meetings will be held prior to the Board meeting. The full Board meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. This meeting will be held at the Mississippi State Hospital.

Caregiver / Parent Peer Support Specialist Training Graduation
2026-03-20 13:00
Families as Allies
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 the graduates’ friends and families, 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 >>

Power of Presence: 200 Men Fatherhood Conference
2026-03-27 09:00 - 14:00
P.R.V.O. Head Start
Join P.R.V.O. Head Start for the Power of Presence: 200 Men Fatherhood Conference!Mark your calendars for March 27, 2026, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM at the Jackie Dole Community Center, 220 West Front St., Hattiesburg, MS.This inspiring event is all about empowering fathers to take an active and intentional role in their children’s lives. Come ready to be renewed, refreshed, and restored as we build stronger families and brighter futures together.For more details, contact Derrick Robinson at drobinson@prvoinc.org or call 601-545-8110 (office) | 601-248-0999 (cell).

Special Education Advisory Panel Meeting Notice
2026-04-15 10:00
Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services
(MDRS)
The Special Education Advisory Panel will meet via Zoom on Wednesday,April 15, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.. You may access the meeting either online or by phone.
The Zoom link will be sent closer to event time.
The Panel will hear public comments at 10:15 a.m.
Written comments may be submitted to Sharon Strong Coon at the
Mississippi Department of Education, P.O. Box 771, Jackson, Mississippi 39205-0771.
Email: scoon@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 Sharon Strong Coon or Mona Spells Adou at 601-359-3498.

Special Education Advisory Panel Meeting Notice
2026-04-15 10:00
Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services
(MDRS)
The Special Education Advisory Panel will meet via Zoom on Wednesday,May 20, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.. You may access the meeting either online or by phone.
The Zoom link will be sent closer to event time.
The Panel will hear public comments at 10:15 a.m.
Written comments may be submitted to Sharon Strong Coon at the
Mississippi Department of Education, P.O. Box 771, Jackson, Mississippi 39205-0771.
Email: scoon@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 Sharon Strong Coon or Mona Spells Adou at 601-359-3498.

Board of Mental Health Meeting
2026-04-16 09:30
Department of Mental Health

The Department of Mental Health Regular Board meeting will be held on April 16, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Click here for notice information.

Meeting Location

Board Committee meetings will meet prior to the Board meeting. The full board meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. This meeting will be held virtually from the Central Office.

Families as Allies Board Quarterly Board Meeting
2026-04-16 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-07-16 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 >>

Annual South Jackson Parade
2026-04-18 09:00
The Association of South Jackson Neighborhoods
The Association of South Jackson Neighborhoods (ASJN) invites the community to attend the Annual South Jackson Parade on Saturday, April 18, 2026. This family-friendly event celebrates community pride and togetherness with a parade, vendors, entertainment, and activities for all ages.
The parade will begin at 9:00 a.m. at the Little Caesars parking lot on McDowell Road and will conclude at Cordoza Middle School. Following the parade, attendees can enjoy festivities and a fun zone at Cordoza Middle School, located at 3180 McDowell Road Extension, Jackson, MS.
Vendors, bands, and dance or cheer groups are welcome to participate. Vendor setup begins at 7:00 a.m. at Cordoza Middle School.
This event is shared for informational purposes only. We are not affiliated with the organizers.
For additional details, please contact:

Ernest Ward: 601-201-3020
Johnny Byrd: 601-720-9965

Parent Caregiver Peer Support
2026-05-11 - 2026-05-15
Are you a parent or caregiver 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 on the same journey?

Then, being a parent peer supporter may be for you!

What is Parent-Peer Support? Parent-peer support is when a parent or caregiver uses their lived experience to support another parent or 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.
Upcoming training:

May 11-15, 2026

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.

Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Advisory Committee
2026-05-15 13:00 - 15:00
Mississippi Department of Health
The Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Advisory Council will hold a public hearing on proposed changes to the Department of Health.
Microsoft Teams Need help?
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 282 621 533 885 5
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Dial in by phone
+1 769-208-4410,,232052900# United States, Jackson
Find a local number
Phone conference ID: 232 052 900#
For organizers: Meeting options | Reset dial-in PIN
If you have any questions related to the public hearing, please get in touch with Teresa Windham by phone at 662-316-5727 or email teresa.windham@msdh.ms.gov

Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council (EMSAC)
2026-05-29 13:00
Mississippi Department of Health
The Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council (EMSAC) will hold a public hearing on proposed changes to the Department of Health.
Meeting Date: Friday, May 29, 2026
Meeting Time: 1:00 pm
Meeting Location: In-person location and Zoom link TBA
If you have any questions related to the public hearing, please get in touch with Teresa Windham by phone at 662-316-5727 or email teresa.windham@msdh.ms.gov

Board of Mental Health Meeting
2026-06-18 09:30
Department of Mental Health

The Department of Mental Health Regular Board meeting will be held on June 18, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Click here for notice information.

Meeting Location

Board committee meetings will be held prior to the Board meeting. The full Board meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. This meeting will be held in person at North Mississippi State Hospital in Tupelo, MS.

Mississippi Behavioral Planning and Advisory Council
2026-08-14 10:00 - 12:00
Department of Mental Health
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 yearly, the allocation and adequacy of mental health services within the State.

Meeting Location-in person

Mississippi Behavioral Health Planning and Advisory Council
Thursday, August 14, 2025
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Mississippi State Hospital – Building 56
