MSPTI would like to introduce our newest Parent Educator in the Southwest Region, Octavia Carson!

"Joining MSPTI gives me the opportunity to educate parents, advocate for families, and develop a network that will benefit families impacted by disabilities in Mississippi," said Octavia. "I look forward to the many opportunities for collaborations and opportunities MSPTI offers."

Octavia is a graduate of Mississippi School for the Blind. She is an alumni of Tougaloo College and Jackson State University. She has a bachelor's degree in psychology with an emphasis in elementary education and a master's degree in special education with concentration in visual impairments.



Octavia is a board member of Project Start and the Mississippi Library Commission Talking Book Services. She is also a member of Jackson Public Schools P-16 Committee and the Jackson Public Schools Special Program’s Committee

We are extremely blessed and excited to have Octavia on our team!

Date: April 3rd

Location: Central MS Research and Extension Center

   1320 Seven Springs Road

   Raymond, MS 39154

Timing & Topics:

1:00-3:00 pm Assistive Technology Demonstrations (provided by TKMC and Project Start)

Learn about the latest and greatest assistive technology for educators, students, and employees that supports mobility, communication, vision, and performing acts of daily living. Hands-on demonstrations will be provided.  

3:30-4:30 pm Autism Liaisons at MSU 

Know a student with autism interested in college—what supports are available? Representatives from the Autism Liaison program at MSU will present about the program and tips for college readiness. Time will be allotted for Q&A.

5:00-6:00 pm What is ABA, and why should parents be involved?

ABA is the most recommended therapy for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Our presenters will discuss what services look like when receiving ABA and how parents and educators can be more involved. Time will be allotted for Q&A.

Date: April 28th

Location: TK Martin Center at Mississippi State University

325 Hardy Road 

Mississippi State, MS 39762

(GPS will lead you to gates; see https://www.tkmartin.msstate.edu/ for map and driving      

instructions to bypass gates)

Timing & Topics:

12:00-2:00 pm Assistive Technology Demonstrations (provided by TKMC and Project Start)

Learn about the latest and greatest assistive technology for educators, students, and employees that supports mobility, communication, vision, and performing acts of daily living. Hands-on demonstrations will be provided.  

2:30-3:30 pm Autism Liaisons at MSU 

Know a student with autism interested in college—what supports are available? Representatives from the Autism Liaison program at MSU will present about the program and tips for college readiness. Time will be allotted for Q&A.

4:00-5:00 pm What is ABA, and why should parents be involved?

ABA is the most recommended therapy for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Our presenters will discuss what services look like when receiving ABA and how parents and educators can be more involved. Time will be allotted for Q&A.

Date: May 15th

Location: North MS Research & Extension Center 

   5421 Hwy 145 South

  Shannon, Mississippi 38868

Timing & Topics:

1:00-3:00 pm Assistive Technology Demonstrations (provided by TKMC and Project Start)

Learn about the latest and greatest assistive technology for educators, students, and employees that supports mobility, communication, vision, and performing acts of daily living. Hands-on demonstrations will be provided.  

3:30-4:30 pm  Autism Liaisons at MSU 

Know a student with autism interested in college—what supports are available? Representatives from the Autism Liaison program at MSU will present about the program and tips for college readiness. Time will be allotted for Q&A.

5:00-6:00 pm  What is ABA, and why should parents be involved?

ABA is the most recommended therapy for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Our presenters will discuss what services look like when receiving ABA and how parents and educators can be more involved. Time will be allotted for Q&A.

These will be come-and-go events. No registration is required.

Sixty parents, professionals, and persons with disabilities completed the Families LEAD Advocacy Academy in January.

Families LEAD is a collaborative project of the Mississippi Coalition for Citizens with Disables (MSCCD), MS Parent Training & Information (MSPTI) Center, Mississippi Center for Advanced Medicine (MCAM) with Dr. Victoria Kivlan, Pediatric Audiologist, and Toni Hollingsworth, Project Director of the Mississippi Hearing-Vision Project (MH-VP). The project is funded by a sub-grant from the Mississippi State Department of Health. Families of children with disabilities will be provided stipends and travel reimbursement for their participation.

Families LEAD has three goals:

• Recruit and train family members of children/youth with disabilities and special healthcare needs as Positive Advocates, Peer-to-Peer Mentors, Family Trainers, and/or Family Leaders across the state.

• Provide technical assistance to ten trained Peer-to-Peer Mentors who provide support to matched families across the state.

• Support Family Leaders, Family Trainers, and Peer-to-Peer Mentors to engage in leadership positions locally, regionally, and/or at the state level.

Families LEAD will achieve its goals by using a three-tier process that trains families to become effective advocates, serve on groups, and become leaders.

For more information about Families LEAD, call (601) 969-0601 or email Brittany Greer, MSCCD Project Support Coordinator, at brittany@mspti.org.