WRAP Wellness Recovery Action Plan
2024-03-06 08:30 - 2024-03-07 17:00 (America/Chicago)
Mental Health Association of South Mississippi
Join the Mental Health Association of South Mississippi for a FREE two-day retreat to work on your self-care!
Enjoy these simple, safe, and free ways to get and stay well in a mutual learning group environment. Coping skills, stress reduction, self-care, burnout avoidance. These skills are useful in many situations, such as illness maintenance, relationships, conflict resolution, work, daily living, and crisis situations.
12 CEUs available for DMH disciplines.
Contact kdaneault@msmentalhealth.org for questions.
Register here>>

Drop In Family Support Time
2024-03-07 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-04-04 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 >>

Mental Health & Wellness Day at the Capitol
2024-03-12 08:00 - 11:30
Mental Health Association of South MS
Mental Health Association of South MS invites you to come out and learn more about resources in Mississippi and let your legislators know mental health is important.
For more information, call 601-899-9058 or email info@msmentalhealth.org.
Register here>>

Supportive Coaching for Parents Supporting Other Parents
2024-03-13 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-04-10 12:00 - 13:00
For any parent 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 at noon on the second Wednesday of the month. We ask that anyone attending respect the confidentiality of the group.
Register here >>

Peer Support Training
2024-03-18 - 2024-03-22
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.
Upcoming training:

March 18-22, 2024 – Virtual Training (Application Deadline: February 16, 2024)
May 13-17, 2024 – Virtual Training (Application Deadline: April 12, 2024)

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.

Join us for - Promoting Meaningful Family Inclusion, Involvement, and Engagement!
2024-03-19 12:00 - 12:30
Mississippi Parent Training & Information Center Project
Why is it important to include, involve, and engage families? Building relationships based on mutual trust and two-way communication results in school and family partnerships that create strong academic and social/emotional support systems to foster success for all students. It also encourages and empowers families to be their own champions, working toward goals that they have helped to develop based on their specific family strengths, resources, and needs.
Join us to learn why this is so important and how we can build and support these valuable partnerships!
Presented by: Patty Gautier, Family & Data Dissemination Coordinator, REACH MS
Register here>>

Down Syndrome Advocacy Day
2024-03-19 13:30 - 16:30
Mississippi Down Syndrome Advocacy Coalition
Join the Mississippi Down Syndrome Advocacy Coalition on March 19 for Down Syndrome Advocacy Day at the Mississippi State Capitol to engage with legislators, share stories, and discuss issues important to the Down syndrome community.
Register here>>

Special Education Advisory Panel Meeting Notice
2024-03-20 10:00
Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services
(MDRS)
The Special Education Advisory Panel will meet on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., at the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services (MDRS) in the East Building’s Conference Room on the 3rd floor and via Zoom. You may access the meeting either in person, online, or by phone.
You may access the meeting in person, online, or by phone.
In-Person Meeting Location and Address:
Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services (MDRS)
East Building-Large Conference Room: 3rd floor
1281 Hwy 51 North
Madison, MS 39110
Join Zoom Meeting Online:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83452343575?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 834 5234 3575
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)
The Panel will hear public comments at 10:15 a.m.
Written comments may be submitted to:
Mississippi Department of Education
Attn: Sharon Strong Coon
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.

Bring Your IEP and Other School Questions
2024-03-21 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-04-18 12:00 - 13:00
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.
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>>

Parent/Caregiver Peer Support Graduation
2024-03-22 13:00
Please join us in congratulating our newest class of parent-peer support graduates. This is an excellent opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments and 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>>

Leadership Coaching and Policy Discussion
2024-03-27 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>>

6 Core Principals of IDEA
2024-04-02 11:00 - 12:00, 2024-04-05 11:00 - 12:00
Mississippi Parent Training & Information Center Project
This presentation will cover the six foundational principles of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a federal law that gives eligible children with disabilities rights to the specially designed instruction and individualized services and supports they need to benefit from public education. Participants will learn about evaluation, FAPE, IEP, LRE, parent and student participation, and procedural safeguards.
Register here>>

Family Connections: Family-Led Crisis Planning
2024-04-04 12:30
National Federation of Families
A family crisis can be especially difficult to navigate because it requires us to deal with many changes all at once, and often without a plan. During this session, our presenter, Nelva Ojeda, will share how crisis plans are created and used, discuss practical strategies, and why it’s important that families lead the planning process.
You’ll also see how your voice as a parent or caregiver is instrumental in decision-making for your family. The experience may present an opportunity for positive change – whether it’s discovering and strengthening our problem-solving skills. It can also be the beginning of the family’s recovery.
Register here>>

A Taste of Cafés: No Rain, No Flowers
2024-04-05 12:00 - 13:30
Be Strong Families
Our Taste of Café series gives you a preview of Cafés—Be Strong Families’ internationally known, structured, small group conversations! Join us for a free session where you can take part in peer-to-peer conversations that facilitate transformation, healing, and strength within families.
Register here>>

Council on Developmental Disabilities Meeting
2024-04-11 10:00
Mississippi Council on Developmental Disabilities
SCDD 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.
Click here for notice information.
MEETING LOCATION
Lake Terrace Convention Center
1 Convention Center Plaza
Hattiesburg MS 39401
CONTACT INFORMATION
Toya Bolden
601-359-6238
Toya.bolden@dmh.ms.gov

Steps for Success: Making IEP Meetings Work
2024-04-11 11:00 - 12:00
Mississippi Parent Training & Information Center Project
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 to avoid some of the most common hurdles and have more productive IEP meetings and better outcomes for your child.
Register here>>

Positively Impacting Addiction by Training and Empowering the Family
2024-04-12 12:00
Strong Families
Allies in Recovery uses CRAFT: Community Reinforcement and Family Training, a scientifically proven alternative approach to Al-Anon, for families struggling with the addiction of a loved one. It draws on the principles of positive reinforcement. Family members will get concrete suggestions based on sound psychological principles and essential self-care skills.
Speakers: Kayla Solomon & Dominique Simon-Levine
Register here>>

Mapping Dreams: Transition to Adulthood
2024-04-16 10:00 - 11:00
Mississippi Parent Training & Information Center Project
This training provides strategies for what parents and youth can do to help plan for the student’s transition from high school to adult employment, postsecondary education or training, and independent living.
Register here>>

Special Education Advisory Panel Meeting
2024-04-17 10:00
Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services
(MDRS)
The Special Education Advisory Panel will meet via Zoom on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.. You may access the meeting either online or by phone.
You may access the meeting in person, online, or by phone.
In-Person Meeting Location and Address:
Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services (MDRS)
East Building-Large Conference Room: 3rd floor
1281 Hwy 51 North
Madison, MS 39110
Join Zoom Meeting Online:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83452343575?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 834 5234 3575
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)
The Panel will hear public comments at 10:15 a.m.
Written comments may be submitted to:
Mississippi Department of Education
Attn: Sharon Strong Coon
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.

Add to calendar

“Welcome the Father”: Strengthening Father Inclusive Practices
2024-04-17 13:00 - 14:30
National Federation of Families
Today’s communities, families, and children have as much potential and promise as ever, yet it seems this potential is often thwarted or unrealized. Relatedly, family service providers face a host of challenges that seem to lie beyond the reach of the approaches, methods, and structures we have enlisted to date. This session will discuss the large-scale change to child and family well-being approaches that will require a shift from antiquated models that remain focused on the intervention for individuals to more comprehensive coordination. This necessary shift toward father-inclusive approaches will be expressed, mainly through existing efforts in the Commonwealth of Kentucky to address and increase the protective factors of positive fatherhood engagement.
Register here>>

Board of Mental Health Meeting
2024-04-18 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/991db1c4-6b2f-4279-be01-e239b53d8c90

Meeting Location

Department of Mental Health
239 N. Lamar St. 10th Floor Robert E. Lee Bldg.
Jackson MS 39201
Contact Information
Grenaye Sullivan 601-359-6260
grenaye.sullivan@dmh.ms.gov

Tips for Effective IEP Meetings: Before, During and After
2024-04-18 10:30 - 11:30
Mississippi Parent Training & Information Center Project
It is difficult to remember everything you need to know for an IEP meeting.
Join the Mississippi Parent Training And Information Center and learn how to prepare before, during, and after the meeting.
Register here>>

The Family Room with Sue Badeau
2024-04-18 15:00 - 16:00
National Family Support Technical Assistance Center
A Family Room is often defined as an “informal gathering place for all family members” or “a comfortable space.” We hope you find that here.
Parents, caregivers, and family members asked us for an interactive meeting to discuss issues and challenges within their families, feelings of isolation, and desire for more connection and resources. They also wanted a space to “dig deeper” on topics.
The “Family Room” is that space where parents, caregivers, and family members actively engage in an interactive discussion with one another, ask questions, and also share their solutions in an informal setting.
NFSTAC’s Family Room is back on April 18th from 4:00 to 5:00 PM EDT (3:00 pm – 4:00 PM CDT). Sue Badeau, an author, trainer, speaker, and family peer expert with lived experience as the parent of 22 children, will host the series.
Last month’s attendees suggested our April conversation starter, so Sue will discuss how we can support career development for our young adults. From there, the rest of the discussion is up to everyone in the meeting. We invite you to turn on your cameras and participate to maximize engagement. Registration is limited to ensure a more personalized experience.
Register here>>

Join us April 18th for Spring Fling!
2024-04-18 17:30 - 19:30
Operation Shoestring
On behalf of everyone at Operation Shoestring, they would like to invite you to their annual Spring Fling this April 18th! Come out and enjoy yourself as they celebrate all the successes of their Shoestring students, partners, families, and community. There will be snacks, live music, and a cash bar from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at Duling Hall.
Register here>>

Families as Allies Board Quarterly Board Meeting
2024-04-18 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 >>

A Taste of Cafés: Dancing in the Rain (Strength in the Rain)
2024-04-19 12:00
Be Strong Families
As the parent of a child with a disability, you are thrust into the role of a caregiver for a lifetime. While it can be overwhelming, it can also be an unbelievable venture into learning about the limitless human spirit and indescribable love. As the saying goes: It isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass; it’s about learning to dance in the rain.
Join us for an honest Taste of Café conversation with other parents of children with disabilities as we share stories about how we are learning to dance in the rain using questions from Be Strong Families’ Strength for the Journey: Conversations for Parents of Children with Disabilities Café Booster Pack.
Register here>>
