This is another busy week, but busy in good ways! Families as Allies is participating in two significant events this week, and we hope you will, too. This Thursday, February 22, is Recovery Day at the Mississippi State Capitol. Over the past few months, we've been exploring how Families as Allies can be more supportive to families of youth who have substance use issues. We're excited about the partners we've met on our journey, many of whom will be at the Capitol on Thursday. Please join us; as always, families are especially welcome. Let's learn and grow together. 

We urge Hinds County families (and those who care about families in Hinds County) to join us on Saturday, February 24, for the Hinds County Children's Coalition Juvenile Justice Convening. The goal of the Coalition is to divert and prevent young people and their families from becoming involved in the juvenile justice and child protection systems. Nobody knows better than families what families need to make that happen. Please join us from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at MC Law School. You can register by calling 601.985.3000.

This week is also significant for legislation. Bills had to be introduced by February 19, but the staff will likely post them to the website most of the week. We share what legislators had recently introduced when we put the newsletter together. 

February 27 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST is Disability Awareness Day: Connecting for Change at the Capitol. It's a great day to meet your legislators, other families, and disability advocates. February 28 from noon to 1 p.m. CST is Families as Allies' monthly virtual Leadership Coaching and Policy Discussion. We will discuss legislation. Please check out our events calendar for more!