We want to call your attention to three meetings scheduled this week:
1. Special Education Advisory Panel Meeting
Federal law requires every state to have a special education advisory panel to advise the state education department on special education policies and issues. The law also states that the panel must include families of students receiving special education services. Mississippi’s special education advisory panel meets by ZOOM on Wednesday, April 17, from 10 a.m. to noon. There is no in-person option. You can join the meeting at this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83452343575?pwd=bURwRjRpbVA1dCt1dlg5cmRSeWwwZz09
The Panel will hear public comments at 10:15 a.m. For more information, or if you need accommodations due to a disability, contact Sharon Strong Coon or Mona Spells Adou at 601-359-3498.
We encourage families whose children receive special education services and anyone interested in special education to attend. If you have feedback about special education services, we encourage you to share public comments.
2. Mississippi Board of Mental Health Meeting
The Board of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH) will hold its monthly meeting in person on Thursday, April 18, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Department of Mental Health at 239 N. Lamar St. The meeting is on the 10th Floor of the Robert E. Lee building in downtown Jackson.
Board Committee meetings will be held before the Board meeting. Click here for notice information:
https://www.ms.gov/dfa/pmn/Home/NoticeDetails/991db1c4-6b2f-4279-be01-e239b53d8c90
This meeting typically has a virtual option for board members but not for the general public.
We encourage you to attend this meeting if you would like to learn more about the mental health system. As far as we know, there are no public comment periods at DMH board meetings, but this statement is on the DMH website if you would like to give feedback to the DMH board:
Members of the Board welcome your feedback. If you have questions, comments, or concerns, please email them by clicking here.
3. Families as Allies Quarterly Board Meeting
Families as Allies’ board will hold its quarterly board meeting by Zoom on Thursday, April 18, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. All meetings are open to the public and include time for public comments. You can also email public comments to info@faams.org or fax them to 601-355-0919. You can register for the meeting using this link.
We encourage you to attend this meeting to learn more about Families as Allies or if you have feedback for the board of Families as Allies.
