Families as Allies

Mississippi Minority Mental Health Symposiums
2025-12-04 08:00 - 2025-12-05 17:00 (America/Chicago)
Mississippi Minority Mental Health
Join us for two powerful days of connection, learning, and advocacy at the Mississippi Minority Mental Health Symposium 2025. This event is dedicated to amplifying the voices of underrepresented individuals in mental health and advancing equitable, community-driven change throughout Mississippi.
Expect engaging sessions, meaningful dialogue, and opportunities to contribute to the growing movement for minority mental health awareness and action.
Mark your calendar and stay tuned — more details coming soon!
Register here>>

Pathways to Possibilities: Transition to Triumph Conference
2025-12-04 08:30 - 16:30
Mississippi Department of Education, Office of Special Education
The Mississippi Department of Education, Office of Special Education, is excited to host the Pathways to Possibilities: Transition to Triumph Conference on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at the Hilton in North Jackson.
This one-day event is designed for educators, administrators, early childhood professionals, families, service providers, and community partners. Together, we will explore strategies to support children and students with disabilities as they prepare for life after high school.
The conference will feature an inspiring keynote speaker and breakout sessions covering topics such as early childhood, K–12, postsecondary education, employment, and independent living.
Register here>>

Season of Self-Care
2025-12-05 09:00 - 11:00
Humphreys County High School
Join Humphreys County High School for a festive Season of Self-Care Health Fair on December 5, 2025. This joyful community event focuses on mental wellness, emotional support, and healthy coping skills during the holiday season. Open to students, families, and community members!
Register here>>

Cultivating Relationships: The Power of Early Childhood Systems
2025-12-10 08:30 - 16:30
Mississippi Families for Kids
Join the Mississippi Families for Kids for their Virtual Infant Mental Health Conference on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.
Register here >>

Supportive Coaching for Parents Supporting Other Parents
2025-12-10 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-01-14 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-02-11 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-03-11 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 >>

BSF Parent Cafes
2025-12-11 09:00
Be Strong Families
If you ever needed a place to learn how to keep families strong—this is it! This information session will give you a complete overview of the Be Strong Families’ Parent Cafés and the process of how to make them a part of your parent outreach.
Register here>>

Advocacy in Action: Exploring the MS Client Assistance Program (CAP)
2025-12-11 11:00 - 12:00
Mississippi Parent Training & Information Center Project
The MS Client Assistance Program (CAP) is a statewide, federally mandated program that advocates for and provides information to clients or potential clients of vocational rehabilitation services and centers for Independent Living. Join us to learn about this program.
Register here>>

Virtual Community Engagement & Listening Session
2025-12-16 13:00
National Federation of Families
The National Federation of Families invites you to join them for this Virtual Community Engagement & Listening Session. A group of national experts will be convening in January 2026 to set a foundation for a unified course of action to promote rights and recovery for all people who experience mental health and/or substance use challenges – including families and youth. As we prepare for the summit, we want to ensure that the voices, experiences, and wisdom of the entire recovery and peer community help shape the vision and priorities that emerge from the gathering. While only a small group will be able to attend the in-person summit, your perspective is essential to building a unified national movement for rights, recovery, and peer support.
Register here>>

Special Education Advisory Panel Meeting Notice
2025-12-17 10:00
Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services
(MDRS)
The Special Education Advisory Panel will meet via Zoom on Wednesday,December 17, 2025, 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
2025-12-18 09:30
Department of Mental Health

The Department of Mental Health Regular Board meeting will be held on December 18, 2024, at 9:30 am.
Click here for notice information.

Meeting Location
967 Regional Center Dr.
Oxford MS 38655

Contact Information
Suzanne Marler
6013596260
suzanne.marler@dmh.ms.gov

Parent Caregiver Peer Support
2026-01-12 - 2026-01-16
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:

January 12-16, 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 dates are below:

March 16-20, 2026
May 11-15. 2026

Tips for Effective IEP Meetings: Before, During and After
2026-01-14 11:30 - 12:30
Mississippi Parent Training & Information Center Project
It’s hard to remember everything you need to know for an IEP meeting. Join us and learn the steps on how to prepare before, during, and after the meeting.
Register here>>

Families as Allies Board Quarterly Board Meeting
2026-01-15 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 >>

Caregiver / Parent Peer Support Specialist Training Graduation
2026-01-16 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 >>

Special Education Advisory Panel Meeting Notice
2026-01-21 10:00 - 12:00
Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services
(MDRS)
The Special Education Advisory Panel will meet via Zoom on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.. You may access the meeting either online or by phone.
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)
One tap Mobile +13092053325,83452343575#, *184280#
Meeting ID: 834 5234 3575
Passcode: [REDACTED]
The Panel will hear public comments at 10:15 a.m.
Written comments may be submitted to Mona Spells-Adou at the Mississippi Department of Education, P.O. Box 771, Jackson, Mississippi 39205-0771. email: “Mona Spells” <MSpells@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.

24th Annual Mississippi Child Welfare Institute Conference (MCWIC)
2026-02-05 - 2026-02-06
Mississippi Child Welfare Institute

The Mississippi Child Welfare Institute would like to invite you to its 24th Annual In-Person Conference (MCWIC).
📅 Dates: Thursday and Friday, February 5–6, 2026
🎯 Theme: Advancing Child Welfare Through Innovation and Resilience
📍 Location: Hilton Jackson, 1001 East County Line Road, Jackson, MS 39211
This year’s conference will offer 9 Continuing Education (CE) hours, including:

Cultural Diversity
Mandated Reporting
Supervision
Professional Ethics
General CEs

For more information, please contact:
Dr. Candace L. Riddley (MCWIC Chair): 601-979-2631
Dr. Angela Savage (MCWIC Co-Chair): 601-979-8896
We look forward to your participation in this impactful event!

Mississippi Child Welfare Institute Conference
2026-02-05 - 2026-02-06
Mississippi Child Welfare Institute
The Mississippi Child Welfare Institute Conference returns February 5–6, 2026, in Jackson, MS. Attendees can earn continuing education hours in areas such as cultural diversity, ethics, mandated reporting, and supervision.
This year’s conference will offer 9 Continuing Education (CE) hours, including:

Cultural Diversity
Mandated Reporting
Supervision
Professional Ethics
General CEs

For more information, please contact:
Dr. Candace L. Riddley (MCWIC Chair): 601-979-2631
Dr. Angela Savage (MCWIC Co-Chair): 601-979-8896
We look forward to your participation in this impactful event!
Register here>>

Becoming a MHFA Instructor
2026-02-12 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-03-12 13:00 - 14:00
National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Join this hour-long webinar to learn more about becoming a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Instructor. During the webinar we’ll discuss: -What to expect from a MHFA class. -The role of a MHFA Instructor. -An overview of our Instructor certification process. Become a MHFA Instructor and empower your community to tackle mental health and substance use challenges head-on with an evidence-based, nationally recognized program.
Register here>>

How to Help Students Effectively Participate in their IEP Meetings
2026-02-17 12:30 - 13:30
Mississippi Parent Training & Information Center Project
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) considers the student to be an important member of the IEP team. This session will provide information on how to start including your child in the meetings, how it can work, why it’s important, and strategies for successful outcomes.

Register Here>>

Special Education Advisory Panel Meeting Notice
2026-02-18 10:00
Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services
(MDRS)
The Special Education Advisory Panel will meet via Zoom on Wednesday,February 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.

Suicide Prevention Implementation Across Diverse Healthcare Settings Using the ECHO Model: Lessons from the American Foundation on Suicide Prevention and American Academy of Pediatrics
2026-02-18 13:00 - 14:00
CAPES
Join this session to hear lessons learned from a three-year Suicide Prevention ECHO program developed by the American Foundation on Suicide Prevention, and American Academy of Pediatrics. Attendees will learn about the Blueprint for Youth Suicide Prevention and methodology and results from the ECHO program.
Register here>>

Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Advisory Committee
2026-02-20 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:
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.

Pyramid Practice Lunch & Learn
2026-02-24 11:00 - 12:00
Innovations Institute
Join Innovations Institute’s Parent, Infant, and Early Childhood (PIEC) team for their monthly Pyramid Practice Lunch & Learn. February’s session will offer concrete strategies to establish and support the UNIVERSAL Tier 1 Pyramid Model strategies.
Register here>>

Leadership Coaching and Policy Discussion
2026-02-25 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>>

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.
