Families as Allies

Saving your income with a Mississippi ABLE account
2021-10-25 11:30 - 12:30 (America/Chicago)
MS Department of Rehabilitation Services
ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts are now available to help individuals with disabilities save and invest money, as they have not been able to before. This session helps you understand ABLE, determine if it is right for you/your child/your family, and shows you where to get more information or sign up. Considering ABLE or just learning about it, you won’t want to miss this session designed just for parents.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER >>

Steps for Success: Making IEP Meetings Work
2021-10-26 10:00 - 10:30
Mississippi Parent Training and Information Center
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 you can avoid some of the most common hurdles and how to have more productive IEP meetings and better outcomes for your child.
Register Here>>

The Special Education Advisory Panel Meeting Notice
2021-10-27 10:00
The Special Education Advisory Panel will meet on Wednesday, October 27, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. via Zoom. You may access the meeting either online or by phone.

Join Zoom Meeting Online: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89185899924…
Meeting ID: 891 8589 9924
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)
Meeting ID: 891 8589 9924
Passcode: [REDACTED]

The Panel will hear public comments at 10:15 a.m.
Written comments may be submitted to Dr. Armerita Tell, Mississippi Department of Education, P.O. Box 771, Jackson, Mississippi 39205-0771; email: atell@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 Dr. Armerita Tell at 601-359-3498.

Getting and Keeping the First Job
2021-10-27 10:00 - 11:00
Mississippi Parent Training and Information Center
Participants will learn the importance of disability self-awareness, how families can help youth with career planning, and strategies to navigate resumes, job interviews, and job accommodations. Particular attention is paid to the role of families in the career exploration and job hunting process. The message of the session is simple: families who understand the world of work, and who maintain high expectations of their youth, can play a pivotal role in the employment success of youth with disabilities.
Register Here>>

Cafe' Ta Center | A Program of the Family Cafe
2021-10-27 13:00
The CAFÉ TAC
Want to talk about the challenges of supporting a family member with a mental health condition?
Join The CAFE TA Center‘s upcoming Family Mental Health Learning Community conversation! The first session is set for Wednesday, October 27th at 2:00 PM ET.
Join us on Zoom at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88114382447
If you have a youth, young adult, or family member with a mental health condition, and want to learn how to effectively support their recovery and your own wellness, this is the conversation for you!
The theme for this first Learning Community conversation will be
What is Happening with Your Youth or Adult Child is Not a Result of a Parenting Failure
This is an opportunity to

Hear from other family members about their family recovery paths
Learn about strategies others have employed in trying to change their thinking about mental health
Share your own story
Ask questions about your own family situation

Drop In Leadership and Policy Discussion
2021-10-28 12:00
Join us to discuss the latest policy updates and what they mean for our children. Leadership training graduates are especially encouraged to attend, but anyone interested in policy is welcome to join. You do not have to register – just drop in at noon on October 28th.
Join Here >>

Training: Talking to Friends and Family About COVID-19 Vaccines!
2021-10-28 17:00 - 18:00
Made to Save Coalition
Join the Made to Save Coalition for a workshop about how to talk to your friends and family about the COVID-19 vaccines.
Talking to your friends and family about getting COVID-19 vaccinated is one of the best ways you can help the people you care about get the information they need to make a plan to get vaccinated. Studies show that people are 40% more likely to get vaccinated if they know a friend or family member who was vaccinated, too. That’s why you’re one of our most important messengers to increasing trust and access to the vaccines.
Participants attending this training will learn some basic skills and talking points on how to talk to their friends and family about the COVID-19 vaccine through active listening practices. Participants will also learn some information about the COVID-19 vaccine and what the FDA approvals mean.
This training will be recorded. Spanish interpretation will be provided. Live transcription will be available.
Register here >>

2021 Bridging-the-Gap HYBRID Style
2021-10-30 09:00 - 12:00
Living Independence for Everyone (L.I.F.E.)
Living Independence for Everyone (L.I.F.E.) is excited to invite you to take part in our upcoming annual 2021 Bridging-the-Gap 5K Walk/Run/Stroll or Roll-a-Thon. This year we will be hosting our walk HYBRID STYLE! We want to do our part in keeping all of our consumers and supporters safe during this time. Participants will have the opportunity to walk with us at the historical Mississippi River Bridge or from their favorite trail! Participants will be able to support and participate the way they feel comfortable.
We will be hosting a ZOOM on event day to kick-off the walk from each of our office locations.
Register here>>

2021 Virtual NFFCMH Conference - Nov. 4-6
2021-11-04 08:00 - 2021-11-06 17:00
The National Federation of Families
Did you know that 1 in 5 children in America experiences social, emotional and behavioral and/or substance use challenges? One undisputed constant in our society is that all children who survive childhood and adolescence will become adults. For children and youth who experience untreated behavioral health and substance use challenges, this typically results in adults who continue to struggle with symptoms, who become parents and who perpetuate this cycle. The impact of this reoccurring cycle is felt throughout our society.
For more than 30 years, the National Federation of Families has been the nationwide advocacy organization with families as its sole focus, playing an important role in helping parents, caregivers and families of children – of any age – whose lives are impacted by mental health and substance use challenges. This important work is supported largely by the generous supporters and donors like you who contribute to our cause.
Our 2021 Conference will feature many great workshops and speakers this year, joining hundreds of mental health advocates and professionals from across the nation as we work to educate and empower families!
The annual conference is a dynamic event full of valuable opportunities to learn, connect and gain exposure for all who attend. Below are some basic facts about the event for sponsors, exhibitors, presenters and attendees.
Typically, the annual conference:

Is attended by 700 to 1,000 people
Draws representatives from 30 to 40 of the United States, Guam and Canada
Draws representatives from 40 to 50 Federation of Families affiliates/chapters
Features 175+ speakers
Offers over 85 breakout sessions

Register here>>

Drop In Family Support Time
2021-11-04 12:00, 2021-12-02 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.
Join here>>

Mississippi Forum for the Future - The State of the State
2021-11-04 13:30 - 17:00
Mississippi Forum for the Future
It’s a big goal, and one we know Mississippi can’t achieve without the participation and support of people like you! We need your help to build a vision for the future of child care in Mississippi – to help us get it right and make it happen. To get started, we’re hosting a Collective Impact kick-off event in November: The State of the State.
During this virtual and interactive event, you will: Learn how the Mississippi Forum for the Future is using a structured approach to break down silos and achieve meaningful, results-oriented collaboration across sectors.
Hear and discuss findings from interviews we conducted with Mississippi childcare providers, early childhood system leaders, and parents. We’ll also discuss how our findings align with existing quantitative and qualitative data on early childhood in Mississippi.
Help us begin to map out a pathway forward, and determine where you and your organization fit in!
Register Here >>

Training: How to Talk to Parents and Caregivers about the COVID-19 Vaccine for Kids
2021-11-04 16:00 - 17:30
Made to Save Coalition
(Español a continuacion) Pfizer has submitted their application to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for Emergency Use Authorization of the COVID-19 vaccine for kids age 5-11! Join the Made to Save Coalition, Parents Together, and Voices for Vaccines for a workshop about how to talk to parents and caregivers about the COVID-19 vaccine.
Talking to parents and caregivers about vaccination is one of the best ways we can help our communities get the information they need to make a plan to get themselves or their children vaccinated.
Participants attending this training will learn some basic skills and talking points on how to talk to parents and caregivers about the COVID-19 vaccine through active listening practices, and tactics on how to reach out to them digitally. Participants will also learn some information about the COVID-19 vaccine and what the Emergency Use Authorization means.
This training will be recorded. Spanish interpretation will be provided. Live transcription will be available.
Register here >>

An Overview of the Standards of Quality for Family Strengthening & Support
2021-11-09 13:30 - 2021-11-10 14:45
National Family Support Network
What does it mean to be a quality Family Strengthening and Support Program?

What common language can we use for working effectively with families?
How can Programs use the Standards to advance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion?
In 2020, the National Family Support Network conducted a review and revision process to update the nationally-adopted Standards of Quality for Family Strengthening & Support, engaging its Member Networks across the United States, parent leaders, and representatives of Family Strengthening and Support organizations in Canada, to provide input and feedback. The thoroughly revised Standards reflect an enhanced focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion and addressing community conditions that impact families’ healthy development.
Based on the Principles of Family Support Practice and the Strengthening Families Framework and its research-based evidence-informed 5 Protective Factors, the Standards have created a common language across different kinds of Family Strengthening and Family Support programs such as Family Resource Centers, home visiting programs, and child development programs. They are used as a tool for planning, providing, and assessing quality practice by public departments, foundations, networks, community-based organizations, and families.
The Standards address 5 critical areas of practice for any Program or individual working with families – Family Centeredness, Family Strengthening, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Community Strengthening, and Evaluation – with 15 Standards, each with Foundational and High Quality Indicators and implementation examples. The Standards and all their implementation tools are available for free download here.
More than 10,700 people have successfully completed the Standards Certification Training in 28 states and the District of Columbia. Many more have been introduced to them through conferences, webinars, and downloading them online.
Recommended Participants:
National, state, and local policymakers, public departments, Children’s Trust Fund staff, private funders, Family Support and Strengthening Network leaders and representatives, Family Support and Strengthening Program management staff.
Register here >>

COVID-19 Vaccines for Children Ages 5-11: A Virtual Roundtable for Asian Parents
2021-11-09 19:00
Montgomery County, PA
Join Montgomery County to get the latest updates on COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 5-11 years old. Speakers will answer your questions and concerns.
SPEAKERS:
Dr. Francis Jeyaraj, Pediatrician, Montgomery County Board of Health
Dr. Shan He, VP, Head of Cell Therapy, Vitalgen BioPharma
Dr. Alex Benjamin, Chief, Infection Control, Lehigh Valley Health Network
Moderated by Valerie A. Arkoosh, MD, MPH, Chair, Montgomery County Board of Commissioners
For the latest on the COVID-19 vaccine in Montgomery County, visit www.montcopa.org/COVID-19vaccine.
Sponsored by: Montgomery County, Montgomery County Immunization Coalition, Jaisohn Center, HealthSpark Foundation, VNA Foundation of Greater North Penn

Join here >>

COVID-19 Vaccines for Children Ages 5-11: A Virtual Roundtable for Black Parents
2021-11-11 19:00
Norristown NAACP
Join us to get the latest updates on COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 5-11 years old. Speakers will answer your questions and concerns.
SPEAKERS:
Moderated by Angie Hinton, President, N.A.A.C.P. Norristown
Dr. Tosha Lee, Associate Medical Director, Norristown Regional Health Center
Sophia Collins, MSN, Clinical Nurse Project Manager, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Valerie A. Arkoosh, MD, MPH, Chair, Montgomery County Board of Commissioners
Hosted by: Norristown NAACP, Montgomery County Immunization Coalition (MCIC), & Montgomery County
For the latest on the COVID-19 vaccine in Montgomery County, visit www.montcopa.org/COVID-19vaccine.

Register here >>

Interagency Coordinating Council for Children and Youth
2021-11-16 10:30 - 12:00
The Interagency Coordinating Council for Children and Youth (ICCCY) is designated in state law to oversee and coordinate Mississippi’s System of Care for Children’s Mental Health. Its members are also designated in statute and include the leaders of the state’s child-serving system, families, youth and an array of other stakeholders. All meetings are open to the public and include the opportunity for public comment. Public comments are limited to 3 minutes per person.

Register here >>

Advisory Council to Support Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Virtual Meeting
2021-11-16 12:00 - 14:00
The Advisory Council to Support Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
ACL is pleased to announce the fourth meeting of the Advisory Council to Support Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (SGRG).
Online Attendance:
This virtual meeting is open to the public. Registration is not required to attend. The webinar link will be posted on the SGRG Webpage prior to the meeting and open for access (live) 15 minutes prior to the meeting start time.
Join here >>

COVID-19 Vaccines for Children Ages 5-11: A Virtual Roundtable for Latino Parents
2021-11-16 19:30
ACLAMO
Join the ACLAMO to get the latest updates on COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 5-11 years old. Speakers will answer your questions and concerns. This program will be held in Spanish.
SPEAKERS:
Welcome by Valerie A. Arkoosh, MD, MPH, Chair, Montgomery County Board of Commissioners
Dr. Federico Andino, Family Medicine, Einstein Montgomery
Dr. Sadia Benzaquen, Chair, Pulmonary Medicine, Einstein Healthcare Network
Moderated by Nelly Jimenez, Executive Director & CEO, ACLAMO
For the latest on the COVID-19 vaccine in Montgomery County, visit www.montcopa.org/COVID-19vaccine.

Register here >>

Know Your Rights: IDEA Procedural Safeguards
2021-11-17 12:00 - 13:00
Mississippi Parent and Training Information Center
Procedural safeguards may seem like a dry topic, with long explanations and terms that are confusing or hard to understand to 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’re able to be an equal participant in your child’s educational process and you know what to do when something isn’t working.
Presented by: Pam Dollar, Executive Director, MSCCD
Register here >>

Supportive Coaching for Parents Supporting Other Parents
2021-11-17 12:00 - 23:00
For any parents supporting other parents in any system. Meetings held on the third Wednesday of the month at 12 noon. Parent peer support specialists, parent consultants and parent educators are especially encouraged to attend. We will share ideas, brainstorm and support each other. Coaching is based on the competencies and ethical code of the National Federation of Families Certification model for parent peer support.

Join here >>

Developing Family Resource Center Networks: Where Do We Start?
2021-11-17 13:30 - 14:45
National Family Support Network

What are the steps for developing a Network of Family Resource Centers?
How can public and private funders and/or community-based organizations support families in their city, county, or state by developing a Network of Family Resource Centers?
What resources are available to support the development of these Networks?

Family Resource Center Networks have emerged across the country in cities, counties, and states as an effective means of ensuring coordinated quality support for families. These Networks connect, organize, and support Family Resource Centers. Serving as the backbone entity to leverage the collective impact of their members, they create opportunities for service providers to exchange information, develop relationships, build capacity, and address challenges that no one organization could on its own.
Some of these Networks have been started by public or private funders, others by community-based organizations, and some by a combination of these and other stakeholders recognizing the value of coming together. Funders have an especially key role to play in terms of resourcing and strengthening the capacity of both Family Resource Centers and Network infrastructure.
Whether you are a funder or a community-based organization interested in developing a Network, this webinar will provide information and tools to support your next steps. The webinar will include a detailed review of two Network development continua developed by the NFSN which can be found in the Developing Networks section of the Family Support Networks page on the NFSN website.
Who Should Participate:
National, state, and local policymakers, public departments, private funders, Children’s Trust Fund staff, Family Support and Strengthening Program management staff
Register here>>

Board of Mental Health Meeting
2021-11-18 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.

ROBERT E. LEE OFFICE BUILDING, 239 N Lamar St, Jackson, MS 39201
Contact information:
Grenaye Sullivan
6013596260
grenaye.sullivan@dmh.ms.gov

Virtual: Bring Your IEP and Other School Questions
2021-11-18 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.
Join here >>

COVID-19 Vaccines for School-Aged Children: What Parents Should Know
2021-11-18 19:00
Please join the U.S. Department of Education for an informational webinar following the approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech age 5-11 vaccine.
During the webinar, representatives from the U.S. Department of Education, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics will address common concerns among parents and families about the COVID-19 vaccine for their child(ren) ages 5-11.
This is an opportunity for families to express concerns, ask questions and discuss how to sustain safe operations in schools.
Register in advance for this meeting here!
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Promoting Positive Behavior in Your Child
2021-11-22 12:00 - 13:00
Mississippi Parent and training information center
Effective discipline is essential to raising children who have self-control, behave well with peers and adults, and choose to avoid risky behaviors. Join us as we discuss PRACTICAL, POSITIVE, and PROACTIVE ways to achieve this with your child.
Presented by: Patty Gautier, Family, Data & Dissemination Coordinator, REACH MS
Register here >>

Joint Planning Council Meeting
2021-11-23 10:00 - 12:00
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 each year, the allocation and adequacy of mental health services within the State.

Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/255710061

You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (872) 240-3212
Access Code: 255-710-061

New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/255710061

Download the Agenda here >>
Download the Meeting Minutes from Aug. 12 here>>

Records and Record Keeping
2021-11-23 11:00 - 11:30
Mississippi Parent and Training Information Center
What records are important? What is FERPA? How do I request copies of my child’s records? How do I stay organized? How long should it take to get the copies I requested? These are five commonly asked questions when parents get ready to attend IEP meetings. This presentation will provide answers and links to other resources.
Presented by: Leslie Junkin, Project Director, MSPTI
Register here>>

Families Aging with Mental Health and Substance Use
2021-12-01 12:00 - 14:00
The National Family Support Technical Assistance Center of Excellence

Join us for a rich presentation and discussion with a national expert in aging and a parent/caregiver expert on families with the lived experience caring for an older adult who struggles with mental illness.
This webinar will focus on understanding the unique needs of this vulnerable population, the needs of their caregivers, and the concerns and challenges they face. Our goal is to provide valuable information, resources and tools to both caregivers and support professionals that will help ensure older adults with mental health needs live full lives with the best outcomes possible.
This free event is made possible through SAMHSA funding, which requires data collection and reporting. The questions included in our registration form are a requirement of our funding.

Register here >>

Getting Candid: Youth Mental Wellbeing Q&A
2021-12-02 15:00 - 17:00
Hosted by the Youth Ambassadors, the Youth Mental Wellbeing Q&A aims to provide youth and youth-serving providers with access to board-certified psychiatrists to get accurate, science-based information about youth substance use and mental health. Visit bit.ly/GettingCandid to submit your anonymous questions about alcohol and other drug use, and youth mental wellbeing. Your questions will be answered by Dr. Mark Edelstein and Dr. Kimberly Gordon-Achebe in a live event on December 2, 4:00-4:45pm EST.

Register here >>
