I hope 2022 is off to a good start for all of you and that your holidays were happy, even if plans were changed or disrupted. I also hope that all of our children will be able to return to school in a safe, healthy and predictable way.

We continue to encourage you to make the most of the many opportunities we currently have to give input into the systems that serve our children. If you are a person who works with parent peer supporters, such as a peer support supervisor, children's services director or MAP team facilitator, please join us on January 20 at 3:00 p.m. or January 28 at 10 a.m. for a Conversation for Anyone Working with Parent Peer Supporters. We will share an overview of Families as Allies' parent peer support training curriculum and ongoing support and training. We want to hear your feedback on how we're doing from your perspective and how we can be most supportive to you.

The Mississippi Department of Mental Health has two opportunities to give feedback. The National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors Research Institute (NRI) is reviewing DMH's strategic plan and the strategic plan revision processes. You can submit your feedback through an online form, and NRI may follow up with you for more information.

The Mississippi Department of Mental Health also put out, on December 17, its proposed permanent policy for Mississippi Youth Programs Around the Clock (MYPAC) and the public comment period ends at 5 p.m. on January 10. You can read the policy here, and review how to submit comments here. If your child is or has been in MYPAC, you can comment either on the policy itself or how the program can be most helpful to children and families.

The study team at the University of South Florida (USF), Department of Child and Family Studies is conducting a national online survey of former youth residents of residential treatment facilities and their parents and caregivers to understand their experiences and perspective of the care received by the facilities. The facilities include therapeutic boarding schools, wilderness camps, residential treatment centers, and boot camps. We encourage youth or families with experience with these facilities to take the survey.

Please join Families as Allies for our virtual combined Community Partnership Celebration and New Year Open House on Monday, January 24 at 5:30 p.m. The event is free, with paid sponsorships available. There will be opportunities to share your ideas at the event. Please also take a few minutes to complete this survey and tell us how we did in 2021 and what you think Families as Allies should focus on in 2022.

We will have our Drop-In Family Support Time this Thursday, January 6, at noon and Supportive Coaching for Parents Supporting Other Parents on Wednesday, January 12, at noon. Our events section has more training and support activities.