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April 17, 2024

The Ally: Fond Fairwells and Important Meetings
 

This week is all about fond farewells and important meetings, which are also the focus of this week's edition of The Ally.

We wish Miah Ford and Vanessa Burkett, our spring interns, and Albertstein Johnson Pickett with the Mississippi Department of Mental Health the best as they transition to new life phases. We will not say goodbye; we will see them in new places and ways. Please take a few minutes to read about them, their plans, and the difference they have made to Families as Allies.

Please also take time to read about three crucial meetings this week: the Special Education Advisory Panel (virtual), the Department of Mental Health's monthly board meeting (in person) and Families as Allies' quarterly board meeting (virtual). Make plans to attend if any or all of these meetings are relevant to you and your family. What you think matters, and your voice can make a difference.

We continue to follow legislation. As I write this, Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann and Speaker Jason White are assigning conferees to try to work out acceptable versions of bills in conference because the House and Senate disagree on what they should say. We will post updated information on our Facebook page. The page is public, so you don't have to be logged into Facebook to see it.

On April 18, from noon to 1:00 p.m. CDT is our virtual Bring Your IEP and Other School Questions. Any family dealing with any school issue is welcome!

Have a great week!

Joy Hogge signature

NEWS
Helping a Loved One Dealing with Mental or Substance Use Disorders - Link to PDF
 
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 [...]
 
Albertstein Johnson Pickett is retiring from the Children's Division of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health at the end of April.
 
We wish our Spring interns, JSU seniors Vanessa Burkett and Miah Ford, the very best in their careers in social work.

EVENTS
 
The Special Education Advisory Panel will meet on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at10:00 a.m. You can join either online or by phone though Zoom.
 
Today's communities, families, and children have as much potential and promise as ever, yet it seems this potential is often unrealized.
 
The Department of Mental Health Board Committee meetings will be held before the Board meeting. The full Board will begin at 9 a.m.
 
It's hard to remember everything you need to know for an IEP meeting. Learn steps on how to prepare before, during and after the meeting.
 
This hour is open for any family member to drop in to ask questions or get feedback about IEP issues and other school situations.
 
NFSTAC's Family Room is back April 18th from 4 - 5 pm EDT. Your host is author, trainer, speaker and family expert Sue Badeau.
 
Operation Shoestring On behalf of everyone at Operation Shoestring, they would like to invite you to their annual Spring Fling this April 18th! Come out and enjoy yourself as they [...]
 
The Families as Allies quarterly board meeting will be held in ZOOM and is open to anyone who wants to attend.
 
Join us for an honest Taste of Café conversation with other parents of children with disabilities as we share our stories.
 
Walk MS unites the MS community in the largest gathering of its kind to raise funds and make a difference for everyone living with MS.
 
Mental health and substance use challenges affect families across diverse geographic, socio-economic, and cultural demographics.
 
This group focuses on understanding current policy issues and opportunities to serve on decision-making committees.

RESOURCES
 
Filmmaker Scott Steindorff learns about Autism.
 
Click or tap the images below to access the linked resources.