Youth Move Massachusetts Website Has Launched!
Check Out The Latest from Youth MOVE.
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We're excited to announce that Youth MOVE Massachusetts has just launched its new website! Find the tip sheets for youth, by youth here. Don't forget to look for the resources, blogs and amazing trainings coming up in the near future. As we grow, we will continue to make things new and fresh!
You can check it out here.
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Planting Seeds Towards Adulthood
Take Our Survey for Parents of Transition Age Youth
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When a child moves from teen to young adult, parents and caregivers are often told to step out of the picture. The reality is that they often continue to play a pivotal role in the lives of these young people.
PPAL is conducting a survey of Massachusetts families of children aged 14-27 who have behavioral health and other special needs.
We thank the more than 230 parents and caregivers who have already taken our survey and shared their experiences. They told us what a parent's role should be -- and should not be -- when their teen turns 18 and beyond.
We would still like more parents and caregivers to participate so we get a fuller picture.
Y
our thoughts and experiences matter!
There are only a few days left to take our survey! All responses are anonymous and confidential. If you take the survey, you can participate in a weekly raffle for a $25 Amazon gift card.
What are you waiting for? Take the survey here to make your voice heard!
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PPAL's Article on Juvenile Justice Featured in National Publication
Learn How COVID-19 Has Affected
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On July 8, Juvenile Justice Information Exchange published an article by PPAL's very own Lisa Lambert, Meri Viano, and Dawn Christie. In it, they reflect on the impact of COVID-19 on youth and families involved with the courts. They write, "One mom said her life changed in 24 hours."
Using interviews with families and anecdotes about the challenges they face, Lisa, Meri, and Dawn chronicle the changes brought by the pandemic on families whose children are justice- involved. They also discuss the role of PPAL's Family Support Specialists in helping families find resources and become better advocates for their children. From helping a mom get her 17-year old to wear a mask to coaching the grandmother of a troubled youth, PPAL's Family Support Specialists are backing up parents and caregivers as they navigate this new, mid-pandemic world.
Read more of the article
here
!
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Telehealth Survey Results Now Available!
How Did COVID-19 Impact Your Ability to Access Care?
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When COVID-19 cases began to increase this spring and stay-at-home orders were put into place, families had little time to prepare. Although most had never had an online health appointment, they quickly learned to use telehealth to access care -- including mental health care -- for their children.
In mid-May 2020, PPAL sent out two short surveys, one to parents and another to youth/young adults, to hear about their recent experiences with telehealth. 202 families and 30 young people responded.
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Virtual Summit for Support Group Leaders Examines Why Culture Matters
How Should Support Group Facilitators Address Cultural Issues?
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In our era of "Black Lives Matter," this special PPAL Summit examined the roles and responsibilities of support group facilitators when addressing culturally specific issues.
Carole Copeland Thomas MBA, CDMP, CITM was our June 30th speaker. Carole is a contemporary speaker, trainer, and global thought leader.
From the impact of systemic racism on Black youth and families to the language barriers facing some Latinx families, this summit was designed to enhance the facilitators' level of understanding of the cultural aspects within the black and brown communities in Massachusetts.
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Multicultural Outreach Program Update
Our Team Continues to Build Connections to
Communities Throughout Massachusetts
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On July 16, PPAL's multicultural outreach specialist, Joel Khattar, facilitated a "Mental Health and IEPs" training with 18 Vietnamese families. The training was quite interactive and the families found it very informative.
To date, PPAL's multicultural outreach team has connected with a number of different communities throughout the state, including Hispanic, Chinese, and Vietnamese communities, as well as families involved with the Boston Public Schools, Justice Resource Institute (JRI), Youth Build, and the Boston Special Education Advisory Council (SEPAC). The multicultural team also looks forward to connecting with Haitian and Russian families in the near future.
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Keeping Busy with Trainings and More!
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Youth MOVE Massachusetts and PPAL have started working together to provide technical assistance to the Department of Mental Health (DMH) in the Southeast. Together, they have already put together a series of Youth Engagement trainings to help providers better understand how to create a youth-driven approach to treatment. DMH Southeast is stepping into the learning and offering many new approaches, with Chandra Watts connecting the dots!
Youth MOVE Massachusetts also completed a mini-training via Zoom on beginning Strategic Sharing skills. Strategic Sharing is a workshop where young learn to tell their stories in a safe and effective way. This training was attended by 10 young adults. The interaction and networking were amazing.
Youth MOVE Massachusetts continues to support the Statewide Young Adult Advisory Council (SYAC). We congratulate Manny Hernandez on his new employment. You will be terribly missed! The young people you will teach are lucky to have you. Please keep in touch!
Are you a young person or do you know someone that needs support? Please connect with us! You can learn more about us through this flyer
or reach out via our NEW website.
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The (Coffee) Mugs of PPAL on Instagram
Get to Know the PPAL Staff Through Their Coffee Mugs!
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This month, PPAL introduces "The Mugs of PPAL" on Instagram.
Whether the mug features Betty Boop meditating or sits next to a mixer used to make much-appreciated baked treats, you're sure to learn more about our staff by taking a look at how we get our caffeine!
Don't forget to follow PPAL on Instagram for more pictures from our staff, tips for parents and caregivers, thoughts on mental health, and more!
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Upcoming Support Group Events!
Join Us for a Presentation and a Movie Night
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On August 5th at 6pm our Parents of Transition Age Youth (PTAY) group will host the presentation "Helping Youth on the Path to Employment (HYPE)." Come learn how this course can assist transition-age youth in preparing for life after high school.
On August 27th at 6pm, in collaboration with the Federation for Children with Special Needs, PPAL will host a movie screening of
The Kids We Lose
.
The Kids We Lose
is a 90-minute documentary film about the human side of being a child or student with behavioral challenges, and the struggles faced by parents and educators.
Find these events and more on our
August Zoom Family Support-Group Calendar
.
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What Has PPAL Been Up To?
The Pandemic Hasn't Slowed Down Our Work
for Children's Mental Health!
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From May through June 2020, PPAL has been busy taking calls and holding meetings, presentations, and workshops!
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May
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June
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Calls from families
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250
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246
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Juvenile justice calls
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121
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142
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Statewide meeting attendance (now virtual)
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25
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68
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In service presentations
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3
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2
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Workshops
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4
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4
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Latest Poll Results
July Poll Results
To take our August poll, visit our
Facebook page
!
Your feedback is very valuable to us!
Make sure to follow us on our social media sites to stay updated about news & events!
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