Youth MOVE Massachusetts Says Goodbye
Many thanks to Dani and Bella
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It is with great fondness that we say goodbye to two members of our Youth MOVEMassachusetts team.
Dani Walsh has decided to go to school full time and work outside of the field. Dani's work over the past year with Youth MOVE has been instrumental in a number of ways, including finishing the practice profiles of working with youth and young adults, co-chairing the SYAC meetings, leading the internship for summer programming, setting up holiday parties, fighting the stigma campaign for mental health awareness, and establishing multiple trainings and leadership for all young adults in our state and nationally. We wish Dani luck!
We also would like to thank Bella Concordia for the on-going support in youth groups
and making
sure that the Tuesday group grew! We know recent changes have not allowed her to continue in this work. We thank her and look forward to connecting again in the future!
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PPAL's Recent Legislative Action
Pushing for justice reform
Lisa Lambert participated in a legislative briefing last month on parts of the Massachusetts justice reform bill that relate to youth. Topics included racial disparities, data driven justice policy, young children and arrest, school based arrests and parent-child privilege. PPAL has worked for many years on establishing a parent-child privilege so parents cannot be forced to testify against their children, similar to spousal privilege. A PPAL poll of families a few years ago showed that the majority of families think such a privilege already exists.
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Building Bridges Fall Training Event
PPAL speaks at event with over 400 attendees
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PPAL was thrilled to be involved with Building Bridges Initiative Fall Training Event for mental health a
dvocates. There were over 400 attendees representing nearly 40 states, including many high level state and county agency staff from child welfare, mental health and juvenile justice, as well as residential and community leaders and clinical staff, families and youth, and many family and youth advocates.
PPAL's Multicultural Outreach Coordinator
Chaneka Franklin had the pleasure to speak at this event. She stated, "Part of the work that I do is to advocate and support families in need. I can't express how important it is for us to work together as a community to make a difference for these families through personal experience, compassion and leadership. This is my focus every day."
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MOVIN' Back to School!
Join Youth MOVE Massachusetts for fun fall events
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Fall is upon us and with it, another busy start to the school year for Youth MOVE Massachusetts! Groups are in full swing, and we are looking forward to having fun at our "This is PPALoween" Party on October 24
th
! Come play some fun games with us, have some candy, and perhaps wrap Meri up as a mummy!?!?
In early October, Dani was also the Young Adult Welcomer for this year's 2
nd
Building Bridges Initiative Conference. She even got a selfie with Dr. Gary Blau, who works with the federal government on youth mental health services at Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Administration (SAMSHA). Youth MOVE Massachusetts is looking forward to another fall and winter of fun groups, engaging outreach, and training opportunities. Stay tuned for more information about our upcoming trainings, holiday events, and other fun happenings!
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PPAL Shows Continued Growth
Latest numbers now available
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From July to September 2017, PPAL continued to prove much-needed support throughout Massachusetts. According to our data, in this time period:
- PPAL received 370 calls from families, youth and providers
- 101 people attended our monthly statewide meetings
- 39 people took one of our 3 trainings (one in Spanish)
- In service trainings were given to teams at CHL and Heywood hospital and were attended by 36 people
- PPAL attended 3 events and supported a table: Plumly Village Family Event, UMass Suicide Awareness Event, and Gardner Public Schools meet and greet.
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Culture, Care and Challenges Survey
Have you taken our Culture, Care and Challenges Survey yet? What are you waiting for?
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PPAL is looking to find out how stigma, culture, and previous experiences have affected you while accessing care for your child. These results will help us advocate for better care for your family in the future. Please take our survey now and enter a raffle for a $20.00 Amazon gift card. Someone will win every week!
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THE PPAL SCOOP
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Blog Alert
Did you miss our October blogs?
Read "I Refuse to Sink" by Nina, one of outstandingly talented youths
here
. Then check out "Parent Support is a Basic Need" by Lisa Lambert, our Executive Director, available
here
. Be sure to comment and share!
October Statewide Meeting
Thank you to Citizens for Juvenile Justice for an excellent lecture and activity on juvenile justicein the state of Massachusetts and legislative advocacy!
November Statewide Meeting
On November 14, please join us in welcoming Dr. Nathan Doty, co-director of Achieve New England! He will talk about Assessment and Treatment of School Avoidance in Children and Adolescents.
We welcome you to attend the Statewide Meeting on November 14th at Plymouth Church in Framingham if you have lived experience (family members, family partners, family support specialists, parent/caregivers, or others in family support roles).
Please pre-register by November 6th to be guaranteed a seat and lunch.
Tuesday November 14th, 2017 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Plymouth Church 87 Edgell Road Framingham, MA 01702
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Latest Poll Results
October Poll Results
Suicide is often not talked about. What is the best way for kids to learn about suicide prevention?
73.68% Prevention programs in schools
21.05% Parent-child conversation
5.26% Online information
0% Conversation with mental health professional
0% I worry that discussion is triggering
Take our November Poll on our website:
Which one of the following forms of bullying is the largest threat to your child?
Verbal
Excluding or Gossiping
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