In this video from Friday, September 24, Shantell Johnson describes losing her son to gun violence the day before. She shares that he had mental health problems. She also refers to fighting for him for a long time. We don't know the circumstances of Ms. Johnson's son's death, but we do know that far too many young people lose their lives in homicides and suicides that are related to not getting the mental health help that they need. We know that their parents often fight endlessly to find help, and many times that help is sorely lacking or non-existent. That is why Families as Allies exists and that is why we continue to push and fight for a mental health system that responds to the real needs of all of our children. We do not want to lose any more of them. We grieve tremendously for those who we have lost. We grieve with Mrs. Johnson and stand side by side with her. 

It was against that gut-wrenching backdrop that we learned on Monday that the state plans to appeal Judge Reeves' ruling that creates a path forward for people with mental illness to get the help that they need. I felt a hollow emptiness reading the motion with its circular logic, strained reasoning and continued insistence that no one can tell the state's mental health system what to do and that it's already fixed everything anyway. Things are not fixed. People are not getting the help that they need. Ask Mrs. Johnson. Ask the families of our organization. The state should be accountable to our children and others affected by mental illness - not beholden to whoever is making misguided decisions in this case. 

We were sad to learn later in the day on Monday that Melody Musgrove died. Melody was a lovely person and worked throughout her career to help ensure that children with disabilities had the same educational opportunities as all children. She did many things in her role as Director of the Office of Special Education Programs for the U.S. Department of Education, but one in particular that made a tremendous difference to families in our organization was her January 2011 letter about not using the Tier Process to delay evaluations for exceptional education. We have used that letter over and over to support families in getting timely evaluations for their children. Her influence and good works are likely felt many times over every day. We extend our condolences and kindest thoughts to her family. 

It is hard to face difficult feelings, frustrating junctures and sad losses. I remain confident though, that if we face things together and with a focus on the best interest of all of our children, we can find a path forward. 

In partnership with all of you,

- Joy