Families as Allies

The Nonprofit Social Sector Leadership Dilemma: How to Identify and Develop New Leaders for Tomorrow’s Challenges
2023-05-11 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
Social Current is proud to host this webinar presented by our Strategic Industry Partner, DCM Associates.
It is vitally important to identify the key strategic goals you face, identify the competencies and skills needed to address them, and identify mentors and coaches within your organization to develop your emerging leaders for tomorrow. It is also important for your current leaders to learn new competencies as well.
This motivational and educational webinar will enable you to learn: * How to proactively identify and develop new leaders within your organization. * How to identify the competencies and skills that they will need to be successful. * How to create a professional leadership development plan for your entire organization.
Register here >>

What Oxford University Research says about Youth Peer Support
2023-05-11 12:00 - 13:00
Hear from youth about the importance of peers helping peers and what the research shows to support that message.
Presenter: Martin Rafferty – Youth ERA
Click Here to Register >>

Many Pathways to Children’s Mental Health
2023-05-12 12:00 - 13:00
Pat Hunt – FREDLA – What does the research say about Family to Family Peer Support?
Susan Stearns – NAMI- What does Parent Peer support look like in implementation?
Hugh Davis – Wisconsin Family Ties – A call to action from lived experience!

Click Here to Register >>

Peer Support Training
2023-05-15 08:30 - 2023-05-19 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.
Upcoming training:

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.

Mississippi Autism Advisory Committee
2023-05-16 10:00, 2023-06-20 10:00
The Mississippi Autism Advisory Committee
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.
Click here for notice information.

Meeting Location-in person
Department of Mental Health
239 North Lamar Street Robert E. Lee Bldg.
Jackson, MS. 39201
Contact Information
Pamela Harkins
601-359-5777
pamela.harkins@dmh.ms.gov

CoE-IHS Webinar: Part 2- Rural Telehealth for Youth in Schools & Beyond
2023-05-16 13:00 - 14:00
Due to structural urbanism, rural areas often face a shortage of mental health & medical professionals, limited access to healthcare facilities, and long travel distances to receive care. Children and youth in rural, frontier and tribal communities have been particularly impacted by this limitation in access to equitable health care, especially as the need for youth mental health has increased in recent years.
Telehealth and mobile health are tools that can address the healthcare disparities that exist in rural communities, specifically to offer support for children and youth in schools as the national youth mental health crisis continues. For children and youth who live in rural, frontier and tribal communities, telehealth and mobile health can be a lifeline by addressing health disparities and bringing care directly to those who need it most.
Join us for Part 2 of our rural telehealth webinar series, Rural Telehealth for Youth in Schools & Beyond, on Tues. May 16, 2-3 p.m. ET to learn more and share your ideas. In this session, experts will discuss how their organization is working to address structural urbanism for youth in rural communities by leveraging integrated telehealth services across the state of Texas.
Register here >>

NAMI Mississippi’s 2023 State Conference
2023-05-18 - 2023-05-19
Theme – “Steps to Crisis Intervention”
May 18-19, 2023
Hilton Jackson
1001 E. County Line Rd.
Jackson, MS 39211
Register here>>
Includes lunch and CEs.
NAMI MS in Partnership with Combined Human Support Services, Inc. to provide Social Work CEs (15 general, 1 ethics, 1 cultural diversity).
Teacher CEs: Approved by the Office of Continuing Education at Mississippi College for .6 Continuing Education Units for Day I and .9 CEUs for attending both Day I & II.
[DMH CEs being applied for.]
Discounts for existing active NAMI members and peers (members with a mental health condition) are now available. Details will be sent via email to the membership list and to the NAMI Mississippi affiliates.
Send questions to stateconference@namims.org.

Virtual: Bring Your IEP and Other School Questions
2023-05-18 12:00, 2023-06-15 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 >>

"ACCEPT. ADVOCATE. ACT. Parents Talk About Children's Mental Health"
2023-05-18 12:00 - 13:30
A national dialogue about the importance of children’s mental health to advance social justice for families.
Register here >>

Born to Be Wild: Family and Friends Picnic
2023-05-20 10:00 - 14:00 | Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, 2148 Riverside Drive, Jackson, MS, 39202
Presented by the Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities and the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science: Come out a FUN-filled day celebrating individuals with disabilities, their families and friends. Enjoy a day free of judgment and full of support. Visit our “Resource Trail” and gather valuable information from agencies and advocacy groups. Everyone is welcome!
$7 Ticket Includes
* All-day access to Museum
* Lunch Provided
* Archery

* Creature Feature
* State of the Art Accessible Playground
* Corn Hole Fishing
* K-9 Demonstration

Register here >>

10th Empowering Communities for a Healthy Mississippi Conference
2023-05-23 - 2023-05-26
Mississippi State Department of Health is pleased to announce the 10th Empowering Communities for a Healthy Mississippi Conference — with this year’s theme, Equity and Innovation: Paving the Path to a Healthier Mississippi you’ll get everything you need to help keep up to date on changes and best practices on the state of Mississippi Health. Refine your knowledge and know-how. Refresh your toolkit. Reconnect with colleagues. Expand your professional network and have some fun in the process.
250+ In-Person Attendees

35+ Exhibitors & Vendors
54+ Insightful Sessions
60+ Speakers
CEs will be offered (CHES, Nursing, Social Work)

Join other community stakeholders for an unforgettable time, May 23-26, 2023.
Registering your department? Group discounts available to 5 or more from the same organization or agency. Call (877) 673-2462.
Register here >>

Leadership Coaching and Policy Discussion
2023-05-24 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 >>

Supporting Family Members with Co-Occurring Diagnoses
2023-05-24 13:30 - 14:30
Family Peer Specialists help clinicians understand and implement best practices to involve family members in support of individuals with mental health and substance use challenges. Learn strategies for integrating family members in mental health and substance use support from this panel, which includes a person with lived experience of being a family member of an individual with co-occurring diagnoses, a Family Peer Specialist, and a clinician.
Presenters: *Muriel Jones, Executive Director, Federation of Families of Central Florida *Rachael Craig-Dunn, CRPS-F, MBA, Family Program Supervisor, South Florida Wellness Network *Mark Thomsen, MD, Assistant Professor, Psychiatry Department, University of Nebraska Medical Center and Creighton University
Register here >>

Families as Allies Live
2023-05-31 12:00
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.

Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/6165432156886218

Or on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCxerlevi4U

2023 Peer Summit
2023-06-01 - 2023-06-03
Association of Mississippi Peer Support Specialists

Join the Association of Mississippi Peer Support Specialists for the annual 2023 Peer Summit.

Links below for registration, daily agenda and CEU opportunities, room reservation information and details on scholarships for your room if needed.

Daily Agenda

https://drive.google.com/…/1yy31hoR…/view…

Registration link

https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSf…/viewform

Room reservation and scholarship information

https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSebgRBz0255oP…/viewform

Don’t forget to make your nominations for the 2023 Peer Awards!

https://forms.gle/4VjoVMpHeX6htGz48

Drop In Family Support Time
2023-06-01 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 >>

Family Connections: Fathering
2023-06-01 12:30 - 13:30
National Family Support Technical Assistance Center
Join the National Family Support TAC twice in June for two events focused on fathers today who may face challenges as a parent or caregivers. You’ll meet two remarkable fathers providing significant support, inspiration, and resources for dads, grandfathers, caregivers, and father role models across the country.
Connection is especially critical for fathers and caregivers for a child of any age experiencing mental health and/or substance use, behavioral health issues, special needs, or many other challenges. It can be isolating, and both events are a place for every dad, parent, or caregiver in need of connection with others.
Whether you are a dad, grandfather, caregiver, or someone who simply wants to support a dad, everyone is welcome.
“Fathering” June 1st -1:30pm ET | 12:30pm CT | 10:30 am PT
“Father to Father” June 7th – 8:00pm ET | 7:00pm CT | 5:00pm PT
What is “Fathering”?
We know parents or caregivers of any gender can relate to their children in different ways. The concept of “fathering” can be described as someone who responds readily and consistently to a child’s developmental needs over time. Behaviors can include loving, supporting, nurturing, and connecting with children of any age.
But “fathering” is also a movement across the country, providing peer support and training for people who may not have had a role model to emulate, fathers who’ve not parented their children, or simply connect with other fathers.
You’ll meet two remarkable fathers who’ve made a significant impact on the Fathering movement through education, peer support, inspiration, and advocacy for fathers across the country.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Understand the difference between “being” a father and the concept of fathering and fatherhood.
Learn how to find support for those who lacked role models growing up, were unable to parent their children, or how to connect with other fathers.
Acceptance factor: Fathers and caregivers will better understand how to strengthen the role of fathers in raising children throughout their lifespan.
Register here >>

2023 Mississippi disAbility MegaConference
2023-06-06 - 2023-06-07 | Hilton Jackson, 1001 E County Line Rd, Jackson, MS, 39211, United States
The Mississippi disAbility MegaConference is Mississippi’s largest cross-disability conference for people with disabilities, families, students, and professionals.
Presenters, sponsors, and exhibitors will share the latest information and innovations on many topics.
Come meet people and make new friends!
Continuing Education – Applying for DMH Credentials and Education (No SWU this year)
Game Night will be June 5 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the Cabana Room.
Registration Fee
Parent or Person with a Disability – $50
Student (register using school email address) – $35
Professional – $175
Register here >>

Family Connections: Father to Father
2023-06-07 19:00
National Family Support Technical Assistance Center
Join the National Family Support TAC twice in June for two events focused on fathers today who may face challenges as a parent or caregivers. You’ll meet two remarkable fathers providing significant support, inspiration, and resources for dads, grandfathers, caregivers, and father role models across the country.
Connection is especially critical for fathers and caregivers for a child of any age experiencing mental health and/or substance use, behavioral health issues, special needs, or many other challenges. It can be isolating, and both events are a place for every dad, parent, or caregiver in need of connection with others.
Whether you are a dad, grandfather, caregiver, or someone who simply wants to support a dad, everyone is welcome.
“Father to Father” June 7th – 8:00pm ET | 7:00pm CT | 5:00pm PT
George Fleming and Nelson Rascon return on June 7th for “Father to Father,” an open conversation led by two fathers and leaders in the movement to empower other fathers through education, peer support, and advocacy. For any father or caregiver who wondered if they are the “only one going through this,” it’s designed for any dad to connect Father to Father.
Topics may include:

Father Friendly Engagement
Expanding Male Peer Support
Creating Father-Friendly Environments
Support for Justice-involved Fathers
Fathers with Mental Health and/or Substance Use Lived Experience
Reducing Barriers for Fathers
Prioritizing Child Wellness
Everyone Thrives

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

Understand the difference between “being” a father and the concept of fathering and fatherhood.
Learn how to find support for those who lacked role models growing up, were unable to parent their children, or how to connect with other fathers.
Acceptance factor: Fathers and caregivers will better understand how to strengthen the role of fathers in raising children throughout their lifespan.

Register Here >>

BIDD Advisory Council
2023-06-09 10:00 - 11:00
Bureau of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
The Bureau of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities at the Department of Mental Health created this council to advise the Department.
Meeting location:
ARC of MS
704 N. President St.
Jackson MS 39202
Contact:
Kristin Merritte
601-359-6557
kristin.merritte@dmh.ms.gov

Notice details: https://www.ms.gov/dfa/pmn/Home/NoticeDetails/e1ee6e22-e287-40b3-9014-7e66590168b8

Supportive Coaching for Parents Supporting Other Parents
2023-06-14 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's Assistive Technology for Everyone 2023
2023-06-15 - 2023-06-16
Technology Tools for Today 2023! How technology helps individuals with disabilities live independent lives.
Location:
Sheraton Flowood The Refuge Hotel & Conference Center
2200 Refuge Boulevard Flowood, MS 39232
Register here >>

Board of Mental Health Meeting
2023-06-15 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-in person
North MS State Hospital
1937 Briar Ridge Road
Tupelo, MS. 38804
Contact Information
Grenaye Sullivan 601-359-6260
grenaye.sullivan@dmh.ms.gov

Proposed Rules on Medicaid Payments, Access and Quality: Implications for Health Care Stakeholders
2023-06-20 12:00
Manatt Health
On Thursday, April 27, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released two highly anticipated proposed rules (here and here). Together, these would reshape the federal regulatory landscape for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), particularly with respect to standards for ensuring access to care, transparency and oversight of provider payment rates, engagement of Medicaid enrollees and the public, quality measurement, and program accountability.
In a new webinar, Manatt Health will review some of CMS’s key proposals and discuss the implications for stakeholders, including Medicaid and CHIP beneficiaries, health care providers, state Medicaid agencies, and Medicaid managed care plans. Click here to register for this free program. The webinar will include discussion of CMS’s proposals to:

Modify the guardrails and areas of state flexibility regarding state directed payments (SDPs), a mechanism that states can use to establish parameters for managed care plans’ payments to providers
Enhance transparency regarding provider rates and require the publication of comparative rate analyses for certain services, in both the fee-for-service (FFS) and managed care delivery systems
Strengthen the framework for monitoring access to care
Establish new requirements and processes regarding quality standards and performance measurement for managed care plans

Even if you can’t make our live airing on June 20, register now for the free webinar and you’ll receive a link to view the session on demand.
Note: CMS’s proposed rules also include a number of proposals aimed at enhancing access and quality for home and community-based services (HCBS). Manatt discussed those proposals in a separate webinar. If you missed our session on “Proposed Rules to Enhance Access and Quality for Medicaid HCBS and Strengthen the HCBS Workforce,” click here to view the program for free on demand.
Speakers:

Emily R. Carrier, M.D., Senior Advisor, Manatt Health
Avi Herring, Director, Manatt Health
Kaylee O’Connor, Senior Manager, Manatt Health
Julian Polaris, Partner, Manatt Health

Date and Time:
Tuesday, June 20
1:00 – 2:00 p.m. ET
RSVP: Click here to register for free.

"Shared Decision-Making" - What Does This Actually Mean and What Does It Look Like?
2023-06-20 19:30
Courageous Parents Network
“Shared Decision-Making” – what does this actually mean and what does it look like? As caregivers of seriously ill children – and as pediatric clinicians – we make decisions in both our heads and our heart, and they aren’t always aligned. Nor are parents and clinicians always aligned. Is it possible for both the clinician and the parents/caregivers to share a decision on behalf of the child? What happens when the two parties aren’t on the same page? Which party should be driving the decision-making process?
In truth, shared decision-making looks different depending on the situation. As with everything we try to do at CPN, we will move beyond the jargon to get both concrete and relational about decision-making when caring for a child with serious illness. This session will explore the dimensions of shared decision-making and give participants a framework for considering the variables (including medical facts, personal values, personal preferences and risk tolerance).
The event is featuring Kate Nelson, MD – Staff Physician, Pediatric Palliative Care at Toronto’s Sick Kids for Children Hospital.
Register here >>

Delivering Care at Home: Challenges and Approaches to Success
2023-06-21 12:00 - 13:00
Manatt Health
In a new webinar series, Manatt Health shares a guide to navigating the complicated care-at-home landscape, with key insights on issues of financing, implementation and performance management of successful programs. Register for free below for the first two programs in the series—and discover ideas for how your organization can effectively meet the rising demand for care-at-home services. Even if you can’t make our live sessions, register for the free webinars now and you’ll receive on-demand links to view them at your convenience.
The first program in our series will provide a detailed primer on the care-at-home issues senior healthcare leaders have identified as most challenging. Topics that will be covered include:

The categories of care delivered at home—with a deep dive into each category
A look at how each category of care fits into the traditional healthcare ecosystem
A review of financing mechanisms
An overview of the market context, drivers and challenges to the growth of care-at-home programs

Register here >>

Youth & Young Adult Support Space (YYASS)!
2023-06-21 14:30 - 15:00
Meets every third Wednesday of the month
JUNE SESSION DESCRIPTION
For our June edition of YYASS, we are enthused to welcome Lauren Cikara, the VP of School Mental Health with Active Minds! Active Minds is a leading nonprofit that supports youth and young adults to mobilize around mental health in a way that builds a mental health movement that forever changes how mental health is valued and prioritized in society, especially those with LGBTQ+ and BIPOC identities. Join us for a presentation and open discussion on Wednesday, June 21 from 12 – 1 p.m. PT / 3 – 4 p.m. ET.
SERIES DESCRIPTION
YYASS is a virtual learning space for those who are working in and leading youth-centered programs and organizations to come together. YYASS is perfect for leaders of Youth MOVE chapters and other youth-run programs that engage youth with lived mental health experience in change-making. This series is facilitated by Te Jay McGrath (Youth MOVE National) with monthly guest speakers.
Register here >>

All Hands on Deck: Keeping People Covered Through Medicaid Unwinding
2023-06-22 13:30 - 14:30
Families USA and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Please (virtually) join Families USA and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services in a critical and timely virtual conversation:
SPEAKERS:

Dan Tsai, Deputy Administrator and Director of Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services
Perrie Briskin, Senior Advisor, Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services
Frederick Isasi, Executive Director, Families USA

AGENDA:

Discuss how advocates, insurance plans, health care providers, community-based organizations, and more can take action.
Get the inside scoop on several new CMS resources for states and stakeholders.

Plenty of time for attendees to ask questions!
Register here>>
