This week we share updated guidance about how states should monitor local special education services. I was excited to see that the guidance encourages true inclusion of families, not the token kind, on multiple fronts.

We also share two articles from Mississippi Today about Mississippi's unusual (compared to other states) and alarming practice of jailing people who need mental health care when beds are not immediately available (or are too costly). The articles are gut-wrenching to read and very alarming. It's unacceptable for anyone to lose their freedom, dignity and civil rights simply because they need care. Medical professionals treat people in crisis with other illnesses in emergency rooms—we don't throw them in jail.

In some ways, these two issues, monitoring education systems and stopping jailing people with mental illness when they need help, seem unrelated. Still, in a few essential ways, they are related. They are both about how we should set up systems correctly and what good policies can help them keep going in that direction.

Whether it's making sure already existing policies are followed or creating policies and infrastructure where none exist, the people involved and their families must be at the table as partners. Never about us without us. Families as Allies is always willing to help. 

Please join us this week for two back-to-school support activities: Drop In Family Support Time (virtual) on August 3rd at noon CDT and the Hinds County Youth Court Back to School Family Resource Academy (in person) on August 3rd from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.