Next Thursday, Bruno Counseling and Consulting Services, LLC in Poplarville and the Mississippi Department of Education will host an informative event regarding “Knowing and Understanding You and Your Child’s Legal Rights as a Public School Student within the State of Mississippi.”
F. David Southern, office administrator with Bruno Counseling and Consulting Services LLC said his office decided to contact the Mississippi Department of Education to inform their clients and other parents about the resources available.
Bruno Counseling and Consulting Services offers mental health counseling to individuals, married couples and families, Southern said. Clients range in age from 5 to 75-years-old. They help people with anxiety, depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and anyone having difficulty coping with day-to-day life who needs someone to talk to, Southern said.
“We have a number of clients who are unaware of the resources available for their students who have a variety of emotional, behavioral and medical issues,” Southern explained. “It can start affecting grades and parents who need to know who to contact for help. Part of social work is being their advocate and finding the resources.”
Instead of just calling MDE and learning about the resources, Southern said he asked if representatives could come speak to a group of parents.
“That way, parents can ask questions and get answers that same night,” he added.
A variety of topics will be discussed during the event including Free Appropriate Public Education, which protects the educational rights of students with disabilities in the United States, Southern said.
Another topic on tap will be the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, a law ensuring educational services to children with disabilities, Southern explained.
Other programs and laws that will be discussed include, 504, Special Education, the Individualized Education Program and more, Southern said.
“We want anyone who needs clarification on what they received to be educated about all their different resources to help them learn,” Southern said.
The event will be held on July 21 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Glass Room in the Pearl River Community College cafeteria. The event is free and open to parents, grandparents and caregivers of a public school student.
Southern said parents from Louisiana will also be attending because some of these programs are federally regulated and don’t just pertain to Mississippi’s public school students.
Interested parties can RSVP with Southern by calling 601-746-5125, through email at brunocounselingandconsulting@gmail.com and through Facebook at Bruno Counseling and Consulting Services.