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March 2, 2023

The Ally: Keeping up with Policy and Legislative Changes
 

A lot is happening with policy and legislation right now. Please check out our latest legislative update and note that some still-alive bills have substantially changed.

Some bills have been in the news. Although it is not on our list because it does not specifically affect children, we are grateful for the increasing support for extending postpartum Medicaid coverage from two to twelve months and the recognition that this extension might reduce postpartum depression.

The Regulate Experimental Adolescent Procedures (REAP) Act to regulate transgender procedures and surgeries was signed by Governor Reeves this week. Regardless of your stance on this bill, we urge you to remember that this bill is about a group of very real young people. All young people deserve our acceptance, kindness and support, at no time more so than when they may feel the most vulnerable and scrutinized.

Families as Allies remains committed to our first core value, Every child and family. We explain this value with these words, "We will not judge or blame you, and we will stand with you if you feel judged or blamed by others."

The Division of Medicaid published its Public Notice for 1915(c) Intellectual Disabilities/Developmental Disabilities (ID/DD) Waiver Renewal this week. We have not yet reviewed it. 

March 2nd at noon (central) is our virtual Drop-In Family Support Time. All families are welcome. Check out our events section for more training and support activities!

Joy Hogge signature
 

[Photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm on Unsplash]

NEWS
 
We hope to see all of you at Disability Awareness Day at the Capitol on March 2, 2023, from 8 a.m. to noon. Families as Allies is honored to be a member of the Mississippi Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities, and we appreciate the Coalition hosting this event.
 
Many bills died on February 28 because it was the deadline for Mississippi state legislators to vote bills out of committee. The next deadline is March 8. The full Senate and full House must vote on bills from the opposite chamber by March 8, or the bills will die.
 
We are touched and thankful that Jackson Women for Good chose Families as Allies as the nonprofit recipient of its quarterly donation this quarter. According to its website, Jackson Women for Good "helps women in Jackson build connections to enrich our professional and personal lives, while doing...

EVENTS
 
Disability Awareness Day at the State Capitol gives people with disabilities and advocates a chance to talk with decision-makers who can preserve or expand services that make a critical difference in the lives of Mississippians with disabilities. Each year approximately 25 organizations participate...
 
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 group.
 
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.
 
" All Events - 11:00 am CST Due to venue restrictions, the Mental Health and Wellness Day at the Capitol will be held online Thursday, March 7 from 10 - 11 a.m. The program includes personal stories, speakers and other activities.
 
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. 
 
The adage, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" is not true - words can hurt, but they can also heal. Please join us for the Words Matter series where we engage in open and authentic discussions about the impact of common terminology used in child-serving systems.
 
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.
 
Are you a parent or caregiver raising or raising a child aged 0-21 who has mental health or behavioral health challenges? Would you like to use your lived experience to help another parent who is on the same journey? Then being a parent peer supporter may be for you!
 
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 policy.
 
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.

RESOURCES
 
When my cell phone rings in the middle of the day and I see my son's school is calling, I immediately have a moment of unease: did Matthew get hurt, is he sick, what happened that warrants this call in the middle of the day?
Frequently Asked Questions about Rights of Children in Homeless Situations
 
Lego is offering up a host of new characters with disabilities as part of a broader push for more diversity within its toy lineup. The characters include those with Down syndrome, limb differences, anxiety, vitiligo and a dog with a wheelchair.
 
It's a well-established fact that children's and teens' mental health took a hit during the pandemic. But new research suggests that teen girls in particular are suffering in unprecedented ways.