Home for the Holidays ... the phrase can bring up all kinds of thoughts, from Hallmark movie happy to total dread. For most of us, it is somewhere in between. This time of year can be festive. It can also be stressful. It can be both. It can be so many things.
Whatever it is for you, we hope that you have peaceful and quiet moments and that you have time to reflect on how hard you try, all that you have gotten done and how much you care for your children. If the holidays get frantic, we hope you will be gentle with yourself and not take on all the demands that seem to be out there this time of year. We hope you have time to enjoy the people who matter the most to you.
We've included some practical information about coping with the holidays in our resource section, as well as a blog post about school suspensions and expulsions this time of the year. Suspensions and expulsions seem to increase around this time every year. We are happy to talk more if you have questions or concerns. You can also join us on Thursday, December 16, at noon for our Bring your IEP and Other School Questions virtual drop-in hour. You do not need to register.
Please also check out our events section. There are several upcoming policy meetings. The Special Education Advisory panel meets virtually Wednesday, Dec. 8, at 10 AM. Meetings are open to the public, and public comments are scheduled for 10:15 AM. The Medicaid Medical Care Advisory Committee meets in person on Friday, December 10 at 1 PM in room 145 in the Woolfolk building 501 N West St, Jackson, MS 39201. Both of these committees are parts of federal laws intended to ensure that the interests of people served by systems have input into the work of those systems.
Next week, on Wednesday, December 15 at noon, we will have our monthly coaching session for any parents supporting other parents in any system. Parent peer support specialists, parent consultants, parent educators and parents who have completed parent peer support training are strongly encouraged to attend. We will discuss current trends in parent peer support, national standards for parent peer support, continuing education opportunities and local and state issues affecting parent peer support. The group also provides support and coaching for any specific issues participants share.
The Clay Center is a free, online educational resource to help caregivers support the mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being of children, teens, and young adults.
U.S. Judge Carlton Reeves issued an order on December 3 that overruled the state's objection to the court-appointed monitor's budget, which is paid by state funds.
