When Brooke Crenshaw and her husband adopted their oldest daughter in 2018, they stepped into a reality that thousands of Mississippi families quietly navigate every day: a system with more gaps than supports, especially for individuals with profound disabilities. By the time their daughter was 12, the resources available to her in Philadelphia, Mississippi, had already run out — and the future held even fewer options.

Brooke saw firsthand what happens when care is inconsistent or nonexistent. The impact doesn’t stop with the individual. It ripples through the entire family system. Without meaningful social engagement, skill‑building, or therapeutic support, individuals begin to lose the progress they’ve worked so hard to gain. Depression, anxiety, regression in physical and speech skills — these aren’t abstract possibilities. They’re the predictable outcomes of isolation.

And when one member of a family is isolated, the whole family becomes isolated.

For Brooke, that meant leaving her job at a local college. It meant reorganizing their entire life around the lack of services. It meant asking a question no family should ever have to ask: What happens to us if we can’t make it on one income?



This year, the Refuge launched its capital campaign, Building a Lasting Refuge, a vision for long‑term sustainability and expanded impact. Not everyone can give at the level of a capital donor, but many can become monthly sponsors — $250, $750, or $1,000 — helping close the gap between what tuition covers and what true care requires.

Because at the Refuge, no one is just a number. No one is a burden. No one is forgotten.

The Refuge of Mississippi is more than a program. It’s a movement — one that began with a single family’s struggle and has grown into a regional force for dignity, inclusion, and hope.

And the most powerful part? This impact isn’t coming from a distant institution. It’s coming from the community itself — neighbors, churches, businesses, families — all choosing to build a world where every person belongs.

FFY2026 Annual State Application

As required by Federal law, The Mississippi Department of Education's Federal Fiscal Year 2026 State Application for Federal Funds under Part B of IDEA is available for public review from March 20, 2026 through May 20, 2026.

Comments regarding the annual grant applications may be directed to:

Tonya Green

Executive Director, Interim Office of Special Education

Mississippi Department of Education

Email : tgreen@mdek12.org

Phone: 601-359-3498

The Mississippi disAbility MegaConference is the state’s premier learning event for people with disabilities, their families, and the professionals who support them. Each year, this gathering brings together hundreds of attendees for two days of learning, connection, and community — creating a space where information is accessible, voices are valued, and lived experience leads the way.

This year’s theme continues the conference’s long‑standing commitment to hope, choice, knowledge, and fulfillment, offering a rich lineup of keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and hands‑on learning opportunities. 

Key Details

• Dates: June 17–18, 2026

• Location: Oxford Convention Center, Oxford, MS

• Registration: Opens April 1



• Hotel Information: Partner hotels include Hampton Inn Conference Center and TownePlace Suites by Marriott, with a special conference rate available.

Accessible rooms can be arranged through LIFE of Mississippi after booking.

What Attendees Can Expect

• Inspiring keynote speakers addressing timely issues in disability rights, advocacy, and innovation

• Dozens of breakout sessions covering education, transition, independent living, mental health, assistive technology, family support, and more

• A dedicated Self‑Advocacy Track, designed by and for self‑advocates to build leadership, confidence, and community

• Exhibitor booths featuring statewide resources, programs, and services

• Opportunities to connect with families, professionals, and advocates from across Mississippi

A Gathering That Makes a Difference

The MegaConference is more than an event—it’s a statewide movement. It brings together organizations, agencies, and community partners who are committed to expanding access, strengthening supports, and ensuring that Mississippians with disabilities can thrive in every area of life.

Whether you’re a parent seeking resources, a self‑advocate building skills, or a professional looking to deepen your practice, the MegaConference offers something meaningful for everyone.