Mississippi Families For Kids

TO ENSURE THE PERMANENCY AND WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATIONAL SERVICES AND SPECIALIZED TRAINING.

THE COUNSELING PROGRAM PROVIDES SERVICES TO FAMILIES AND CHILDREN WHO ARE MENTALLY AND EMOTIONALLY CHALLENGED DUE TO DEPRESSION, ADHD, CONDUCT DISORDERS AND OTHER MENTAL ISSUES. PART OF THIS PROGRAM IS THE SYSTEM OF CARE MODEL. THIS MODEL IS AN ORGANIZATIONAL PHILOSOPHY AND FRAMEWORK THAT INVOLVES COLLABORATION ACROSS AGENCIES, FAMILIES AND YOUTHS FOR THE PURPOSE OF IMPROVING ACCESS AND EXPANDING THE ARRAY OF COORDINATED COMMUNITY-BASED, CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY COMPETENT SERVICES AND SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH SERIOUS EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL CHALLENGES AND FOR THEIR FAMILIES. IN 2021, MFFK WAS AWARDED FUNDS FROM THE GOVERNOR'S EMERGENCY EDUCATION RELIEF (GEER) PROGRAM TO ASSIST WITH COUSELING SERVICES FOR CHILDREN RELATED TO THE MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL EFFECTS OF COVID-19. MFFK CONTINUED THIS SUPPORT INTO 2022.

OTHER PROGRAMS AND EVENTS PROVIDED BY THE ORGANIZATION FOR 2021 INCLUDED A YOUTH LEADERSHIP CAMP FOR 88 MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. THIS IS A WEEK LONG CAMP WHICH FOCUSES ON EQUIPING STUDENTS WITH THE SKILLS, RESOURCES, AND INFORMATION TO FINISH HIGH SCHOOL AND ENTER HIGHER EDUCATION. THE CAMP ALSO ACTS AS A MOTIVATIONAL GUIDE TO ENHANCE LEADERSHIP TRAITS WORKING ON SELF-ESTEEM, TEAMWORK, INTEGRITY, DETERMINATION, AND INDEPENDENCE. IN 2021, THE ORGANIZATION HELD THEIR 8TH ANNUAL FAMILY BLACK SUMMIT, THE ECONOMIC IMPACT ON FAMILIES AND CHILDREN IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR. THIS EVENT FOCUSES ON THE IMPACT OF POVERTY, HOW IT PLAYS OUT IN COMMUNITIES, AND HOW TO OVERCOME IT WITH AN ECONOMIC AGENDA. THIS YEAR'S SUMMIT HAD 80 PARTICIPANTS. OTHER OUTREACH PROGRAMS INCLUDE REALATIVE RAISING OTHERS' CHILDREN (ROC),SERVICING 62 FAMILIES, RATED PG (POSITVE GIRLS), AND REAL FLY GUYS (REALIZING EXCELLENCE AMOUNG LEADERS/FUTURE LEADING YOUTH), SERVICING 46. THE AGENCY ALSO PROVIDED EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE TO 10 FAMILIES IN NEED, PROVIDED THANKSGIVING MEALS TO 27 FAMILIES, AND PROVIDED SCHOOL SUPPLIES TO 97 CHILDREN. IN 2021, MFFK STARTED A WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM WITH THE HELP OF CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES. THIS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO HELP YOUTH WHO ARE GETTING READY TO AGE OUT OF THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM, DEVELOP SKILLS TO ENTER THE WORKFORCE. EACH YOUTH IS PLACED IN A JOB, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF A MENTOR.

HELP ME GROW - THE PURPOSE OF THE HELP ME GROW SYSTEM IS TO IDENTIFY AT- RISK CHILDREN AND TO HELP FAMILIES FIND COMMUNITY BASED PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. THE HELP ME GROW SYSTEM TRAINS PHYSICIANS IN EARLY DETECTION SCREENING, SURVEILLANCE, AND CONNECTION TO SERVICES. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT HAVING THIS SYSTEM INCREASES EARLY IDENTIFICATION FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE AT- RISK FOR DELAYS. FAMILIES IN MISSISSIPPI SUFFER BECAUSE THEY LIVE IN AREAS WHERE THERE ARE4 LIMITED HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, LEAVING CHILDREN UNTREATED. THE OVERALL GOAL OF THE HELP ME GROW SYSTEM IS TO CLOSE SERVICE GAPS AND PROVIDE QUICK ACCESS THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CENTRALIZED INFORMATION AND REFERRAL CENTER THAT WILL (1) CONNECT CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO AN ARRAY OF COMMUNITY BASED CHILDREN'S HEALTH, EARLY CARE, AND EDUCATION, FAMILY SUPPORT AND MENTAL SERVICES WHERE THEY LIVE, AND (2) TO STRENGTHEN SKILLS IN DEVELOPMENTAL SURVEILLANCE AND SCREENING AND ENHANCE THE EARLY DETECTION OF CHILDREN AT RISK FOR ADVERSE DEVELOPMENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL OUTCOMES. IN 2022, THE ORGANIZATION HELD PARENT AND PROVIDER TRAININGS ON CHILD DEVELOPMENT, TRAINED PROFESSIONALS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT, IMPLEMENTED THE HELP ME GROW MS INNOVATION RESOURCE LINKAGE SERVICE FOR CHILDREN AGES 0-5.

WENDY'S WONDERFUL KIDS/ADOPTION PROGRAM - THE PROGRAM ALLOWS FOR THE HIRING OF ADOPTION PROFESSIONALS WHO EXECUTE AGGRESSIVE, CHILD-FOCUSED RECRUITMENT PROGRAMS TARGETED EXCLUSIVELY TO MOVE CHILDREN FROM FOSTER CARE INTO ADOPTIVE FAMILIES. THE FOCUS IS ON BRINGING PERMANENCY TO FOSTER CHILDREN AND PREPARING FAMILIES FOR PARENTHOOD THROUGH ADOPTION. IN 2022 THE ORGANIZATION SERVED 11 FAMILIES THROUGH FOSTERING OR ADOPTING.