On May 31, 2023, the Families as Allies team took to Facebook and Youtube for “Families as Allies Live,” our “every-fifth-Wednesday” live streaming report on what we’re focusing on as an organization and what we’re hearing from families in Mississippi.
Executive Director Joy Hogge began the session by extending her heartfelt gratitude to all the participants who joined in on the live event and the Families as Allies team and supporters.
As usual, the livestream covered many topics, emphasizing concerns surrounding school-related issues as we approach summer vacation. Families expressed their worries about suspensions and expulsions, seeking guidance on how to navigate such situations. Parents can call Families as Allies or check the events calendar for our monthly “Drop-In Support” or “Bring Your IEP and Other Questions” calls on ZOOM.
Another major topic of the livestream was the discussion on parent-peer support. Families as Allies emphasizes the significance of individuals with similar experiences coming together to provide guidance and support to others. The organization highlighted its parent-peer support training program, equipping participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively empathize with and assist fellow parents and caregivers. The discussion also touched on Families as Allies’ continuing education plans for parent-peer supporters, ensuring they remain well-informed and equipped to support families. The staff is finalizing these plans in collaboration with the Department of Mental Health and will share specifics over the next few weeks.
The team next discussed the Well Visit Planner, an online tool aimed to aid parents and caregivers in tracking their child’s development during regular check-ups until the age of six. Families can gain valuable insights and receive tailored guidance by answering questions and sharing information with healthcare providers. Families as Allies encouraged participants to provide feedback on this invaluable tool by taking a brief survey and sharing their thoughts.
Next up, we discussed the importance of Medicaid renewal for eligible individuals. As a result of the COVID-19 emergency, the government suspended renewals temporarily for three years. However, it is now crucial for individuals to update their addresses and ensure they receive renewal notifications. Families as Allies alerted participants about potential scams and urged them to remain vigilant while offering support and resources to navigate the renewal process successfully.
Finally, Joy encouraged viewers to stay connected with Families as Allies through our newsletter to stay informed about policy changes, upcoming events, and ways to support one another. We’ll see you on the next fifth Wednesday!
