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November 30, 2022

The Ally: Inspired by Lois Curtis, Let's Keep Working Together
 

I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving break with at least a little bit of rest and restoration along the way. The holidays can be sweet. They can also be stressful and sometimes bring extra challenges when your child has a disability. We are here for you if you want to call or stop by, and we will include practical support for dealing with the holidays in our December newsletters.

School can be especially challenging this time of the year. Please check out our tips for dealing with school issues and join us for Families as Allies Live on November 30 at noon. We will discuss school issues such as suspensions, expulsions and risk assessments and ways to get support when these things happen. We are excited that our friend and colleague Brooke Guyton, Project Director for CHAMP for Schools, will join us to share how CHAMP can support schools to help all children stay in their classrooms and thrive.

We hope that everyone will continue to be inspired by the life of Lois Curtis as we work together for our children and to make sure Mississippi is responsive to people with disabilities.

Our virtual Drop In Family Support Time is December 1 at noon CST, and our Virtual: Bring Your IEP and Other School Questions is December 12 at noon CST. Any and all families are welcome. Don't forget that Parent Peer Support Training is coming up from January 9, 2023 at 8:30 am to January 13, 2023 at 4:30 pm, and the deadline for applying is December 5. Mark your calendars for the Ninth Annual Families as Allies Community Partnership Celebration on January 23. We hope to see everyone there!

Thank you to everyone who donated to us on Giving Tuesday. So far, we have raised a little over $1000. You can still donate through our website. We appreciate your support!

Joy Hogge signature

NEWS
 
Earlier this month, we shared with you that Lois Curtis died. Lois was diagnosed with schizophrenia and a developmental disability and spent most of the first part of her life in a Georgia state institution. She wanted to live in the community and took her battle to the United States Supreme Court, where she won.
 
Every time there is a fifth Wednesday in a month, we go live at noon to hear your feedback and questions, share what's been going on at Families as Allies and update you on current issues. So we will be Live at noon on November 30 and hope you will join us on Facebook or YouTube.
 
We're bringing your attention to this article from last year because it's timely and relevant as we go into the holiday season. Don't hesitate to contact us - info@faams.org or 601-355-0915 - if you have questions.

EVENTS
 
Please join us for this quarterly update about our recent events and future plans. Families as Allies is about ALL of us and we want to hear your ideas and feedback on how we can all move forward together on behalf of our children.
 
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 confidentiality of the group and not share anything discussed in the group outside of the...
 
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 and other school situations. We ask anyone who stops by to respect the confidentiality of the group and not share anything discussed in the group outside of the group.
 
For any parents supporting other parents in any system. Parent peer support specialists, parent consultants, parent educators and parents who have completed parent peer support training are strongly encouraged to attend.
 

Board Committee meetings will be held prior to the Board meeting. The full Board will begin at 9 a.m.

 
The Department of Mental Health and the Bureau of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (BIDD) Advisory Council, comprised of service providers and advocacy organizations, are launching an awareness campaign in recognition of March as Intellectual and Developmental Disability Awareness Month.
 
This group focuses on understanding current policy issues and also opportunities for leadership training graduates to serve on decision-making committees. Leadership training graduates are strongly encouraged to attend, but the meetings are open to anyone who is interested in learning more about...
 
Join us for our Ninth Annual Community Partnership Celebration to honor this good work and make sure that it continues.

RESOURCES
 
Almost a year has passed since Harlene Blair of McHenry last saw her 21-year-old son Eli Marrero, alive. Now she wonders if she'll ever find out why he died in law enforcement custody. Blair told MCIR she was told her son was found hanging from a light fixture in his solitary confinement cell in...
Frequently Asked Questions about Rights of Children in Homeless Situations
 

For many people this week marks the beginning of a very active, exciting season. Unfortunately, in addition to all the fun and joy stress levels also tend to rise. That makes this a perfect time to Pause for Wellness!