Families as Allies

Supportive Coaching for Parents Supporting Other Parents
2024-01-10 12:00, 2024-02-14 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
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 >>

Council on Developmental Disabilities Meeting
2024-01-11 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

6 Core Principals of IDEA
2024-01-11 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 >>

Parent/Caregiver Peer Support Graduation
2024-01-12 13:00
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 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 >>

Navigating the IEP
2024-01-16 11:00 - 12:00
Mississippi Parent Training And Information Center Project
As a parent, the IEP process can often seem like a maze. There are so many parts to the process it’s often overwhelming. Join us to learn how to navigate this journey.
Register here>>

Special Education Advisory Panel Meeting Notice
2024-01-17 10:00
Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services
(MDRS)
The Special Education Advisory Panel will meet on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. via Zoom. You may access the meeting 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 location17
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
One tap Mobile
+13092053325,,83452343575#,,,,*[REDACTED]#
Meeting ID: 834 5234 3575
Passcode: [REDACTED]
The Panel will hear public comments at 10:15 a.m.
Written comments may be submitted to:
Sharon Strong Coon
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 Records: What to Keep and How to Organize
2024-01-18 11:00 - 23:30
Mississippi Parent Training And Information Center Project
What do I do with all these papers? Join us for tips on what to keep and ideas for organizing your child’s special education records.
Register here>>

Bring Your IEP and Other School Questions
2024-01-18 12:00
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>>

Families as Allies Board Quarterly Board Meeting
2024-01-18 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 >>

Special Education Boot Camp Gulfport
2024-01-19 09:30 - 12:30
Mississippi Parent Training & Information Center Project
You don’t want to miss our upcoming Special Education Boot Camp in Gulfport, Mississippi on Friday, January 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Harrison County Advocacy Center.
Topics will include:

advocacy
communication/documentation
conflict resolution
IEPs.

Registration is not required but is preferred so we’ll know how many to plan for.
For more information, contact Leslie Junkin at leslie@mspti.org or Jeannie Herrin at jeannie.herrin@co.harrison.ms.us or call (228) 241-1837.
Register here>>

Mississippi Autism Advisory Committe
2024-01-23 09:00
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.
MEETING LOCATION
9th-floor conference room
Robert E Lee Building 239 N. Lamar Street
Jackson MS 39201
CONTACT INFORMATION
Pamela Harkins
601-359-5777
pamela.harkins@dmh.ms.gov
Click here for notice details.

Steps for Success: Making IEP Meetings Work
2024-01-23 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>>

Leadership Coaching and Policy Discussion
2024-01-24 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>>

Power of a Personal Story
2024-01-25 11:30 - 12:30
Mississippi Parent Training & Information Center Project
Systems change is about improving access to services and support for children with disabilities and their families. This training was developed to help parents become “system change agents” to achieve this goal. Parents will learn what advocacy is, why changing systems is important, and how to use the power of their personal story to create change.
Register here>>

TENTH ANNUAL FAMILIES AS ALLIES COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP CELEBRATION
2024-01-29 17:00 - 20:00
Families As Allies

Please join us at Bravo Italian Restaurant and Bar on Monday, January 29, 2024, from 5:00 to 8:00 for our Tenth Annual Community Partnership Celebration to celebrate the work we do together and make sure that it continues. We hope all of you can join us, but if you cannot, please consider donating.

Monday, January 29, 2024
5:00 to 8:00 PM
Bravo! Italian Restaurant

Tickets are $50.00 each, and sponsorships are available.

Register here>>

Section 504: Students with Special ﻿Healthcare Needs
2024-01-30 11:00 - 12:00
Mississippi Parent Training & Information Center Project
When people think about educating students with disabilities, the first thing that may come to mind is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Although students can receive accommodations, related services, and special education under both Section 504 and IDEA, the two laws vary in several important ways. This presentation will give parents information to help them understand the law and what it means to their child or youth with special healthcare needs.
Register here>>

Promoting Positive Behavior in Your Child
2024-01-31 12:00 - 12:30
Mississippi Parent Training & Information Center Project
Effective discipline is essential to raising children who behave well with peers and adults, demonstrate self-control, and choose to avoid risky behaviors. Join us as we discuss PRACTICAL, POSITIVE, and PROACTIVE ways to achieve this with your child and ways to support them in learning to maintain these critical skills for the rest of their lives.
Presented by: Patty Gautier, Family, Data & Dissemination Coordinator, REACH MS
Register here>>

Families as Allies Live
2024-01-31 12:00 - 13:00
Whenever a month happens to have a fifth Wednesday, the Families as Allies group gathers for a live session on both Facebook and YouTube. During this session, we discuss current developments and address any inquiries you might have. We invite you to be a part of this informative session, where we’ll be sharing updates on recent happenings and discussing our upcoming strategies.
Families as Allies is a collective effort that involves each and every one of us. Your input and thoughts are invaluable to us as we aim to progress collaboratively. We eagerly await your participation and the opportunity to explore how we can advance together.
Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/306388481799434
Join us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29iUoeGZBhU

Procedural Safeguards
2024-02-01 11:00 - 12:00
Mississippi Parent Training & Information Center Project
Procedural safeguards may seem like a dry topic, with long explanations and terms that are confusing or hard to understand for your family. Why are procedural safeguards important, and how will they help your child? Procedural safeguards are the rights that protect you. When you know your rights, you can be an equal participant in your child’s educational process and know what to do when something isn’t working.
Register here>>

Drop In Family Support Time
2024-02-01 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 >>

5th Annual Teen Summit Love Like That
2024-02-03 00:00
Mississippi State Department of Health
Mark your calendar for MCADV’s 5th Annual Teen Summit, “Love Like That,” on February 3, 2024.
This project is funded in whole or in part through support from Award #SG-2243-R3, awarded to the Mississippi State Department of Health by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families.

2024 Early Childhood Capitol Day
2024-02-06 09:00 - 13:30
Mississippi Early Learning Alliance
Join the Mississippi Early Learning Alliance as they host their annual Early Childhood Capitol Day on February 6, 2024.
Enjoy a networking breakfast and hear legislative panelists discuss early childhood education and early intervention, 2024 policy updates, and the importance of strengthening the childcare workforce through increased teacher wages. This event will be at the Walter Sillers Building near the Capitol beginning at 9:00 a.m. For those unable to attend in person, information will be sent about upcoming webinars sharing the Capitol’s legislative agenda and how you can use your voice virtually.
Register here>>

Early Intervention: Written State Complaints
2024-02-06 10:00 - 10:30
Mississippi Parent Training & Information Center Project
You have important rights if your child receives First Steps Early Intervention services. If you disagree about whether the requirements of Part C of the IDEA are being followed, there’s a formal process to follow. Under Part C of the IDEA, you can file a written state complaint when you want the state lead agency to investigate if the IDEA has been followed. This process is in place to ensure that your child receives the services they need and deserve
Register here>>

Transition Exit Summary of Performance: What is It?
2024-02-06 11:00 - 11:30
Mississippi Parent Training & Information Center Project
IDEA 2004 mandates that students with an IEP complete an exit Summary of Performance (SOP) at the end of high school. Join us and learn what it is and how it’s used.
Register here>>

Early Intervention: Mediation
2024-02-13 10:30 - 11:00
Mississippi Parent Training & Information Center Project
Mediation is a voluntary process under Part C of the IDEA that brings people together to resolve disagreements. This session will provide information and resources to guide families through this process.
Register here >>

Office Hour
2024-02-13 16:00 - 17:30
National Federation of Families
Join the National Federation of Families this month to hear about how MIKID shares person-centered resources and highlights families’ natural supports to build strengths-based relationships between family peers and the families with whom they work and within families. Gain strategies to apply now!
Register here>>

iNFUSE-A-Heart
2024-02-13 16:30 - 18:00
NFusion Metro
Join NFusion Metro for an enchanting evening of creativity, connection, and heartfelt expressions at their “Infuse-a-Heart” event!
This unique gathering invites the youth to immerse themselves in the art of self-expression as they convey their deepest emotions through the written word.
Register here>>

Board of Mental Health Meeting
2024-02-15 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

Mississippi State Hospital
3550 Hwy. 468 W.
Whitfield MS 39193
Contact Information
Grenaye Sullivan 601-359-6260
grenaye.sullivan@dmh.ms.gov

Bring Your IEP and Other School Questions
2024-02-15 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>>
