A welcoming world for all children..... those words have echoed over and over in my mind this week. They echoed in my mind as our staff discussed how to make children feel included on Halloween and other holidays. My heart still remembers holidays gone by when my son was little - the heartaches, the worries and also the many kind acts of others. They echoed in my mind when I wondered how in the world to write an update about all of the policy twists and turns with Mississippi Youth Programs Around the Clock and ways to address them that lead to more children (and their families) finding a welcoming world. They echoed in my mind when I read Melody Worsham's open letter to Attorney General Fitch, and I pondered how a world that truly welcomes all children might save us from an adult world in which contentious legal battles seem to matter more than what actually happens to people with mental illness. 

A welcoming world for all children..... it's the reason and the goal for everything we do at Families as Allies. We want to know how we're doing and how we can work together with all of you. 

Please check out the events section and our website for a number of great offerings from our friends and partners. We encourage any parent who has a child receiving exceptional education services to attend  The Special Education Advisory Panel Meeting Wednesday, October 26 at 10. This Thursday at noon, we are hosting a virtual Drop-In Leadership and Policy Discussion. All are welcome and we especially encourage leadership training graduates to attend. Mark your calendars for the next Interagency Coordinating Council for Children and Youth, Tuesday, November 16 from 10:30 - noon. It will be virtual. All meetings are open to the public and include time for public comment.