Families as Allies

Supportive Coaching for Parents Supporting Other Parents
2026-04-08 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-05-13 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-06-10 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-07-08 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
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 >>

Rooted at Home: Real Stories and Needed Policy Shifts to Support Inclusive Communities
2026-04-14 13:00
The National Federation of Families
The National Federation of Families presents “The Urgency of Now,” a 5‑part national webinar series focused on ending isolation and strengthening community ecosystems for children, youth, and families. Each session highlights practical solutions, lived experience, and policy shifts that help communities become more inclusive, person‑centered, and supportive.
Part 1, “Rooted at Home,” features Paolo del Vecchio and Caroline Cole, two national leaders whose work spans federal policy, survivor‑led advocacy, and community‑driven reform. Together, they will explore real stories, needed policy changes, and the power of lived experience in building communities where every family can thrive.
Register here>>

Special Education Advisory Panel Meeting Notice
2026-04-15 10:00
Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services
(MDRS)
The Special Education Advisory Panel will meet via Zoom on Wednesday,May 20, 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.

Board of Mental Health Meeting
2026-04-16 09:30
Department of Mental Health

The Department of Mental Health Regular Board meeting will be held on April 16, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Click here for notice information.

Meeting Location

Board Committee meetings will meet prior to the Board meeting. The full board meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. This meeting will be held virtually from the Central Office.

Becoming a MHFA Instructor
2026-04-16 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>>

Families as Allies Board Quarterly Board Meeting
2026-04-16 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-07-16 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 >>

Annual South Jackson Parade
2026-04-18 09:00
The Association of South Jackson Neighborhoods
The Association of South Jackson Neighborhoods (ASJN) invites the community to attend the Annual South Jackson Parade on Saturday, April 18, 2026. This family-friendly event celebrates community pride and togetherness with a parade, vendors, entertainment, and activities for all ages.
The parade will begin at 9:00 a.m. at the Little Caesars parking lot on McDowell Road and will conclude at Cordoza Middle School. Following the parade, attendees can enjoy festivities and a fun zone at Cordoza Middle School, located at 3180 McDowell Road Extension, Jackson, MS.
Vendors, bands, and dance or cheer groups are welcome to participate. Vendor setup begins at 7:00 a.m. at Cordoza Middle School.
This event is shared for informational purposes only. We are not affiliated with the organizers.
For additional details, please contact:

Ernest Ward: 601-201-3020
Johnny Byrd: 601-720-9965

Leadership Coaching and Policy Discussion
2026-04-22 12:00, 2026-05-27 12:00, 2026-06-24 12:00, 2026-07-22 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>>

Lunch & Learn with the Arc
2026-04-24 11:30 - 13:30
The Arc
The Arc Northeast Mississippi invites the community to a Lunch & Learn focused on building stronger, more inclusive connections across our region. Attendees will hear from local leaders who are expanding recreational, vocational, and residential opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Featured speakers include Leanne Mattox from the Tupelo Park District, sharing updates on inclusive recreation, and Britney Dill from Crossroads Ranch, highlighting vocational and residential supports for adults with special needs.
This free event will be held on Friday, April 24, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Ability Works, located at 613 Pegram Drive in Tupelo. Lunch is provided, and families, professionals, and community partners are encouraged to attend. For more information, call 662‑732‑0444.

Autism Screening Day
2026-04-27 10:00 - 18:00
MECIC
MECIC is hosting a Statewide Autism Screening Day to support families with young children across Mississippi. Screenings are available for children ages 5 and under at multiple MS LIFT Resource & Referral Network locations, including Hernando, Jackson, Hattiesburg, Mayhew, Flowood, Gulfport, and the Mobile R&R site in Columbia. Families can schedule an appointment between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. by calling 601‑266‑4745. This statewide initiative helps ensure early identification, access to resources, and support for families. MS LIFT is a program of the Mississippi Department of Human Services.

Vicksburg Buddy League
2026-04-27 18:00
The Vicksburg Buddy League
The Vicksburg Buddy League invites elementary school–age children with special needs to participate in an adaptive sports program designed to build confidence, skills, and community. The league meets on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at the Vicksburg YMCA. The first meeting on April 27th at 6:00 p.m. will introduce families to the program, share important information, and give children a chance to meet on the basketball court. For questions, families can contact Melissa Nolan at melissanolan03@gmail.com. All are welcome — we can’t wait to see you at Buddy League.

2026 NAMI Mississippi Annual Conference on Mental Health & CIT
2026-04-30 07:00 - 2026-05-01 13:30
NAMI Mississippi
This premier statewide conference brings together voices from mental health, law enforcement, healthcare, and advocacy to explore innovative strategies, strengthen collaboration, and improve crisis response and mental health outcomes in Mississippi.
Register here>>

PRVO Head Start Community May Day Celebration
2026-05-01 12:00 - 2026-05-09 16:30
PRVO Head Start
PRVO Head Start/Early Head Start is hosting its Annual May Day Family Fun Day at Vernon Dahmer Park! Families are invited to enjoy an afternoon filled with bounce houses, BBQ and food trucks, carnival games, sack races, kickball, basketball, snowballs, prizes, and more. Parents are encouraged to volunteer as we come together for a day of fun, food, family, and fellowship. Join us on Friday, May 1st from 12 PM–4 PM and help us make unforgettable memories.

Parent Caregiver Peer Support
2026-05-11 - 2026-05-15
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:

May 11-15, 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.

Trauma-Informed Care for Kinship/Grandfamilies
2026-05-11 13:00 - 14:30
Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network
This webinar, co-hosted by Network partner ZERO TO THREE, will address how trauma can present in both kin caregivers and children in their care, and how it impacts relational health. Explore practices associated with trauma-informed care to better support the kin caregivers you serve. Our presenter is Dr. Mike Sherman, a licensed clinical psychologist and NAPA/UC Davis Infant-Parent Mental Health fellow. Dr. Sherman is an expert in infant and early childhood mental health and has presented internationally. For more than 15 years, he has worked at the nexus of community mental health and child welfare programs, including direct service provision, supervision, training, consulting, program development and administration. His work focuses on the integration of mental health in community and child welfare systems and the intersection of trauma- and relationally driven practice.
This webinar will be supplemented by two learning community sessions, where you can take a deeper dive into this topic and participate in highly interactive conversations with your peers. One session, led by Dr. Sherman, will focus on trauma in children using a case study approach. The second session will focus on trauma in caregivers, engaging a panel of kin caregivers, facilitated by Network Subject Matter Expert Dr. Joseph Crumbley. You will need to register for these learning community sessions separately, using the links below.
Register here>>

Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Advisory Committee
2026-05-15 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.
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If you have any questions related to the public hearing, please get in touch with Teresa Windham by phone at 662-316-5727 or email teresa.windham@msdh.ms.gov

Gulf Coast Sibshop
2026-05-16 10:00
Gulf Coast Sibshop
Gulf Coast Sibshop invites siblings of children with different abilities to a fun, supportive event designed just for them. This interactive session gives kids a chance to connect with peers who understand their experiences, share feelings in a safe space, build confidence through engaging activities, and celebrate what makes them unique. Hosted by Embrace Abilities and Happy Coast Families, this Sibshop creates a welcoming environment for learning, friendship, and encouragement.
The event will take place on May 16, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Arc. Families can register using the QR code provided. All siblings are welcome to join this uplifting and empowering experience.

CoE-IHS Webinar: Best Practices to Provide Integrated Care for Children with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) & Neurodevelopmental Needs
2026-05-18 12:00 - 17:00
The Center of Excellence for Integrated Health Solutions
The Center of Excellence for Integrated Health Solutions is funded by Grant Number 1H79SM090141-01from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and managed by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. The views, opinions and content expressed in this presentation do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or policies of the HHS.
Register here>>

Leadership Connections Conference
2026-05-27 - 2026-05-29
The McCormick Institute for Early Childhood
The McCormick Institute’s Leadership Connections Conference brings together early childhood education and care (ECEC) leaders for interactive sessions, dynamic keynotes, and practical strategies for center‑based, school‑based, and family child care programs. Administrators, coordinators, technical assistance specialists, advocates, and researchers will gain tools to strengthen leadership and improve outcomes for children and families.
This year’s theme, “Onward!”, focuses on navigating challenging times with confidence while creating “smooth sailing” for ECEC programs. Attendees will learn actionable insights to support strong leadership, resilient teams, and high‑quality early learning environments.
Our commitment to family childcare professionals and Spanish‑speaking leaders continues. The 2026 conference includes a dedicated Family Child Care track with sessions designed to strengthen business practices and leadership skills in the home‑based setting. Select workshops will also be offered in Spanish.
Register here >>

Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council (EMSAC)
2026-05-29 13:00
Mississippi Department of Health
The Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council (EMSAC) will hold a public hearing on proposed changes to the Department of Health.
Meeting Date: Friday, May 29, 2026
Meeting Time: 1:00 pm
Meeting Location: In-person location and Zoom link TBA
If you have any questions related to the public hearing, please get in touch with Teresa Windham by phone at 662-316-5727 or email teresa.windham@msdh.ms.gov

Mississippi disAbility Megaconference
2026-06-17 08:00 - 2026-06-18 12:00
Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities
The Mississippi disAbility MegaConference is Mississippi’s premier learning opportunity for people with disabilities, family members and professionals.
Register here>>

Board of Mental Health Meeting
2026-06-18 09:30
Department of Mental Health

The Department of Mental Health Regular Board meeting will be held on June 18, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Click here for notice information.

Meeting Location

Board committee meetings will be held prior to the Board meeting. The full Board meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. This meeting will be held in person at North Mississippi State Hospital in Tupelo, MS.

2026 Children's Mental Health Summit | Hope Starts Here
2026-07-15 - 2026-07-17
Canopy Children’s Home
Join us for Canopy Children’s Solutions’ Children’s Mental Health Summit: Hope Starts Here, where educators, clinicians and community partners gather to explore how healing grows when every part of a child’s world supports their well-being. The summit highlights prevention, connection and the mind-body-spirit pathways that move children from hopelessness to hope.
Don’t miss exciting keynote speakers, Kathryn Goetzke, Jason Curry and Kevin Hines. Hope Starts Here invites us to see healing as something created collectively in classrooms, homes, clinics and communities. Together, we’ll explore the approaches that nurture resilience, strengthen protective factors, and support the whole child.
Register here>>
