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March 3, 2022

The Ally: Improving Policies Through a System-of-Care Lens
 
We've filled this week's edition of the Ally with policy news and ways you can give feedback about what you think would be most helpful. As we discussed these policy developments, it struck us that many of them are opportunities to strengthen the system of care for our children. We decided to focus on system-of-care issues in March and examine how to make the most of the opportunities before us. We hope you will join us! 

Thank you to all of you who were part of our policy and leadership discussion on March 1. We will share the recording of that discussion next week. 

Please also join us for these webinars: What is a System of Care and How Do MAP Teams Help Families is March 10 at 2 p.m. This session focuses on Making A Plan (MAP) Teams – what they are and how they help families. We will discuss MAP teams as the single point of entry and re-entry into the System of Care and how this relates to current proposed policies and laws. 

What is a System of Care and What Does Wraparound Mean? is March 17 at 2 p.m. This webinar focuses on Wraparound and what it means for families. We will discuss Wraparound as the care coordination approach in Mississippi state law and what that means regarding the support families should expect and the choices they should be offered.

What is a System of Care and How Does the Interagency Coordinating Council for Children and Youth Fit Into It? March 31 at 2 p.m. This webinar explains the infrastructure of Mississippi's system of care and the laws that tell how it is supposed to function. 

We hope to see you at these events as well: 

Drop-In Family Support Time is Thursday, March 3 at noon. 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 group's confidentiality and not share anything discussed in the group outside of the group.

2022 Virtual Mental Health & Wellness Day at the Capitol is March 10 from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. CST.

Virtual: Bring Your IEP and Other School Questions is March 17 at noon CDT.

March is also Women's History Month. As we did last year, we will be honoring moms who are making history by exemplifying the core values and beliefs of Families as Allies. If you know someone we should honor, please let us know. 

This past week has been challenging with world unrest and inspiring with commitments to unity across the globe. Our thoughts and prayers are with any of our readers whose loved ones are personally affected by the invasion of Ukraine.  
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[top photo by Danny Lines on Unsplash ]
 

FROM OUR BLOG
 
Mississippi Medicaid’s policy for psychiatric residential treatment facilities (PRTFs) is open for public comment.
 
On February 27, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a motion seeking clarification on its right to communicate with CMHCs in Mississippi.
 
In our legislative update, we note that some deadlines have just passed in March with others coming soon. See the bills we’re still following.
 
Please join us to learn about the new national 988 crisis number and Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) for law enforcement and peer support.

EVENTS
 
Participants are presented with strategies to strengthen community efforts and plans to combat local street gangs and address youth violence.
 
Family members may drop in to share any concerns or get feedback from others about handling different situations.
 
Monthly gatherings will focus on a specific topic, provide tips and tools, and offer the opportunity to network with other families.
 
National and state experts will provide information on children’s optimal health and development during the era of COVID.
 
Mississippi’s State Agencies are required to post notices of regular meetings on the Mississippi Public Meeting Notices website.
 
Wraparound and the FFPSA: Opportunities and Requirements for States, will provide information on FFPSA and the Clearinghouse decision.
 
Join other parents for a monthly meeting and online gathering to coach and support other parents in any system.
 
This webinar will review evidence-based, culturally responsive programs, followed by a discussion with providers.
 
Due to COVID-19, the Mental Health and Wellness Day at the Capitol will be held online Thursday, March 10 from 10 – 11 a.m.
 
This webinar explains the infrastructure of Mississippi’s system of care and the laws that tell how it is supposed to function.
 
The Mississippi Board of Mental Health Meeting will be held on March 17 at 9 AM. on Lamar St. in downtown Jackson.
 
The Mississippi State Board of Education meeting will be held on March 17. Participants may attend live or view the meeting via live stream.
 
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.
 
This webinar explains the infrastructure of Mississippi’s system of care and the laws that tell how it is supposed to function.
 
The Peer Support Specialist Professional Supervisor Training is designed for agency administration/management and CPSSP Supervisors.
 
The MAAC’s mission is “to study, make recommendations and develop a strategic plan on how best to educate and train students with ASD.
 
The 43rd Juvenile Justice Symposium will be held virtually and in person in Biloxi, MS on March 23 to 25, 2022.
 
This webinar explains the infrastructure of Mississippi’s system of care and the laws that tell how it is supposed to function.

RESOURCES
 
"I am truly excited about the release of the 2020-2024 Mississippi Official & Statistical Register, better known as the Blue Book. It has been a labor of love to create a resource which attempts to capture the ways Mississippi continues to grow and prosper through challenges and changes. As a reminder, copies of the publication are available to the public at no cost. To request a Blue Book, email publications@sos.ms.gov or call 601-359-6344." - Secretary of State Michael Watson

Please note that the Blue Book has helpful contact information for state agencies and policy makers if you want to contact them about questions or issues related to your child.
 
The purpose of this policy statement is to support families, early childhood programs, and States by providing recommendations from the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Education (ED) for preventing and severely limiting expulsion and suspension practices in early childhood settings.
 
A new report from the National Wraparound Initiative (NWI) describes findings from the NWI survey on Wraparound providers' experiences using telehealth. Now NWI is working on getting youth and family perspectives on their experiences with telehealth for Wraparound. If you are a youth/young adult or family member who has participated in telehealth for Wraparound, or services like counseling or peer support provided through telehealth as part of Wraparound, NWI would love to hear from you through the 3-minute NWI Telehealth Survey for Youth, Young Adults, and Families.

 
Offers information for caregivers on how to talk to children about war. This fact sheet includes the potential impact and considerations when talking to children about war, how to start the conversation, understanding media coverage, and how to foster resilience.
 

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