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April  21, 2022

The Ally: A Grateful Heart
 

I write this with a grateful heart. The past few weeks have been uncertain for my family as my husband has dealt with sudden and unexpected health challenges. I am touched and overwhelmed by the outpouring of support we have received.

"Thank you" seems so inadequate, but thank you. A special thank you to everyone at Families as Allies who immediately stepped up to make sure everything is covered. It has been such a sweet encouragement to hear about everything that has continued to go on. I am especially excited to hear about all the different people coming together around parent peer support.

Our Virtual: Bring Your IEP and Other School Questions is Thursday, April 21, at noon CDT. We changed to a registration event to help people remember when it was and make it easier to email you helpful documents if you request them. Families as Allies Quarterly Board Meeting is on April 21 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. CDT. All meetings are open to the public and include time for public comments. The board meeting is virtual. Our virtual Leadership Training Graduates Coaching and Support Group is on April 27 from noon to 1:00 p.m. CDT. Graduates of leadership training are especially encouraged to attend, but anyone interested in policy is welcome. 

Joy Hogge signature

FROM OUR BLOG
 
On March 29, the United States Department of Justice filed it response to the State of Mississippi’s appeal of Judge Carlton Reeves’ ruling.
 
On March 30, 2022, Families as Allies held our quarterly staff meeting on Facebook Live to let you know what we’re up to and to get your feedback.
 
National Child Welfare Information Gateway’s Prevention Resource Guide outlines how systems, policy and families can work together.

EVENTS
 
The Mississippi State Board of Education meeting will be held on April 21. 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.
 
The Families as Allies quarterly board meeting will be held in ZOOM and is open to anyone who wants to attend.
 
Hear from experts and explore the current state of integration and learn more about the comprehensive health integration framework.
 
This group will focus on opportunities for leadership training graduates to serve on decision-making groups, provide coaching guidance.
 
Family members may drop in to share any concerns or get feedback from others about handling different situations.
 
The Joint Planning and Advisory Council meeting will be held virtually Thu, May 12, 2022, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (CST).
 
The Peer Support Specialist Professional Supervisor Training is designed for agency administration/management and CPSSP Supervisors.
 
Policy experts give key legislative updates and raise awareness on critical issues surrounding mental health and substance use treatment.

RESOURCES
 
The U.S. Department of Justice said conditions at the Mississippi State Penitentiary violate the constitutional rights of prisoners.
 
Addresses requirements related to IDEA’s due process and state complaint procedures including certain required content for a due process complaint; due process hearings timelines, including expedited due process hearings; the authority of hearing officers to order certain remedies; the authority of hearing officers to issue “summary judgment” on an IDEA due process complaint; and consideration of state guidance and applicable case law in the SEA’s resolution of an IDEA state complaint.
 
The call for presentations is open for our 2022 Annual Conference taking place in Oklahoma City, OK on November 3rd - 5th. We welcome submissions from the mental health, substance use and family support workforce; researchers, clinicians, and policymakers, family members and advocates who support the well-being of our children - across the lifespan - and who promote family voice. The deadline for submissions is Friday, April 29th.