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June 29, 2023

The Ally: Swinging Into Summer Together
 

I hope everyone is doing OK as summer goes into full swing and we deal with severe weather and extreme heat. Those conditions are challenging anytime but can be even more problematic when your child has mental health challenges or special health care needs. If your family is struggling and looking for resources, feel free to reach out to us, and we will share any we know that are available.

This week's Ally provides more information on Medicaid eligibility redeterminations. COVID emergency rules have ended, and some people may lose their Medicaid coverage simply due to not completing forms. Please check out our blog entry about how to be sure this doesn't happen to you and what to do if it does.

We also share information about a short survey to learn more about what happens to youth, especially Black youth, with special healthcare needs as they transition to adulthood. We encourage youth with special health care needs (including mental health challenges), and those raising youth with special health care needs to respond to the survey. Nobody knows better than you do what would be most helpful.

Our quarterly virtual conversation for anyone working with parent-peer supporters is July 29 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Please join us if you supervise, hire or work with parent-peer supporters or are interested in learning more about doing so. We'll discuss various topics related to parent-peer support, including site visits. Please check out this week's blog entry for more details.

As always, don't forget to take a look at upcoming events. We especially want to draw your attention to these:

July 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CDT Ninth Annual Special Education Law Conference & CLE

July 20 - July 22 Education & Culture Conference

July 27 NAMI MS Minority Mental Health Conference

Thank you for being part of Families as Allies! You make a difference.

Joy Hogge signature
 
P.S. We will skip next week's Ally for the July 4th holiday, but it will be in your inbox again the week of July 11th. Enjoy the Fourth!

NEWS
 
By sharing your insights and experiences, you contribute to valuable research that will shape policy and program changes for YSHCN.
 
Remember to join us Thursday, June 29, from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. CDT for our virtual Parent Peer Support Conversation.
 
As a reminder, the U.S. government now requires states to start doing yearly Medicaid eligibility redeterminations again after a COVID pause.

EVENTS
 
This conversation is for anyone working with parents providing peer support to other parents in any system, such as Children's Services Directors, MAP Team Coordinators, Care Coordinators and Center Directors.
 
This webinar will showcase a framework for community mental health services developed by Ohio Mental Health and Recovery Board.
 
Join other parents for a monthly meeting and online gathering to coach and support other parents in any system.
 
The Council on Developmental Disabilities will meet on July 13th in person at the Hampton Inn in Oxford MS.
 
The conference includes legal & policy updates in special education, an overview of conflict resolution and attorney fee options, and more.
 
Parent peer support is a parent/caregiver or using their lived experience to support others going through similar experiences.
 
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 will showcase a framework for community mental health services developed by the Ohio Mental Health and Recovery Board.
 
The Families as Allies quarterly board meeting will be held in ZOOM and is open to anyone who wants to attend.
 
Participants will explore effective alternatives to reducing violence in schools and communities by uplifting restorative justice practices.
 
Gain an understanding of current policy issues and opportunities for leadership training graduates to serve on decision-making committees.
 
The 2023 Minority Mental Health Conference themed Young Minds Matter will be held in person at the Hattiesburg Train Depot.
 
The National Birth Defects Prevention Network (NBDPN) will hold its National Conference from August 14-16, 2023 in Atlanta, GA with a pre-conference training to be held on August 13.

RESOURCES
 
 
JUNE 27, 2023: The U.S. Dept. of Education (ED) Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) has released the annual IDEA state determinations for 2023. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires ED to annually assign every state a "rating" on its implementation of IDEA, based...
NIEER Early Intervention - Looking at Equity