September, 2021
'The Voice' is Families Together in New York State's monthly newsletter with information that is important to families, and youth across the State of New York.
For further information visit our website:
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DON LASH
Don Lash is the Executive Director of Sinergia in NYC. Sinergia works with people with disabilities and their families. Sinergia has a longstanding reputation for working with underserved families, many with limited English proficiency, who may be homeless or impoverished, or who may be struggling with insecure housing and income, lack of services, and discrimination based on ethnicity, language status, immigration status, gender or poverty. Don was the lead developer in Singeria’s intensive training series, the APPLE Academy (Advocacy for Parents Providing Leadership in Education), which includes a manual, Special Ed in the City: A Guide to Parent Advocacy in New York. While working for the NYC Administration for Children’s Services from 2005 to 2014, Mr. Lash was the lead curriculum developer for the Office of Educational Services and Policy Planning, including the SNAPP (Special Needs Advocacy for Parents and Professionals) series, which was the primary platform for training for child welfare personnel, foster and birth parents and clinicians. As an attorney, he worked on policies to facilitate parent involvement and ensure the child welfare system adhered to provisions of Parts C and B of IDEA. Mr. Lash is the author of When the Welfare People Come: Race and Class in the US Child Protection System. (Haymarket Books, Chicago, Ill.)2017.
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MEET THE
DIRECTOR OF THE COMMUNITY AND SYSTEMS ENGAGEMENT TEAM
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NANCY
CRAIG
Like a lot of parents, Nancy started her “career” learning to navigate the child-serving systems for her children. Little did she realize that her personal experiences would lead her on professional quest to ensure every family, no matter the challenges they are working through have access to a family peer helping to teach, coach and mentor parents as they journey towards their personal strength and empowerment.
Nancy has worked with Families Together for over 20 years. First as a Western NY Region Parent Advisor for 17 ½ years and now as the Director of Community and System Engagement Team, leading a team of 10 Regional Parent Advisors engaging and advising the child serving systems on the value of family driven and youth guided practices and the benefits of partnering with local family peer support programs.
Nancy and a small group of five family advocates worked together to create a very low cost summer camp experience for the whole family to come together for three nights -four days in a safe supported environment to build those memories as a family, not an illness.
Fun Fact: Nancy loves to "camp" in her gorgeous RV.
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September is National Suicide Prevention Month.
All month, Families Together in New York State along with other mental health advocates, prevention organizations, survivors, allies, and community members unite to promote suicide prevention awareness. It remains as important as ever to raise awareness and provide substantive tools to those who need help.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255
Additional Resources:
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FANS Technical Assistance Office Hours
Multiple Dates
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Substance Use Recovery Month
Multiple Dates
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Screening of 'Resilience'
Tuesday, September 21st,
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
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Youth Leadership Forum
Upstate YLF
October 23rd-26th
Downstate YLF
November 11th-14th
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Long Island Children's & Youth Behavioral Health Symposium
Tuesday, October 12th
8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
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For all in-person events:
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State Seeks Feedback on Children's Waiver Redesign Up For Renewal Next Year
Last month, we shared that the state is seeking input on the Children’s Waiver in anticipation of its upcoming renewal in April 2022, but they did not include a feedback session specifically for waiver recipients and families. Thanks to the advocacy of our allies at the New York State Coalition for Children’s Behavioral Health, the state has scheduled two sessions dedicated to parents and youth.
Our movement understands the redesign has fallen short of delivering the high-quality and timely services that families and young people need to thrive. This is an important opportunity to weigh in and make clear what is and is not working.
Sign up for these feedback sessions happening September 28th and 29th to share your insights.
September 28, 20215:30pm Waiver Participants and Family Members
(Registration required)
September 29, 202110:00amWaiver Participants and Family Members
(Registration required)
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Addressing the COVID-19
Delta Surge
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Resources for families affected by COVID-19; Prioritizing mental and physical health while staying home.
Families Together is here to help.
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2021 FTNYS Digital Advocacy Center
Stay up-to-date with all our advocacy efforts and use emails, social media, and phone calls. We might have to stay home, but our advocacy doesn't have to.
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Meet Ashton Daley (he/him), a Youth/Young Adult Recovery Program Support Specialist with FOR-NY. Ashton is also a member of our Youth Power network representing the Hudson Region.
Ashton joined FOR-NY in May 2019 as their MSW Macro Practice Intern was their Wrap Around Peer Support specialist, and is now their Youth/Young Adult Recovery Program Support Specialist.
Ashton received his BSW at Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania and his MSW from University at Albany. Ashton is an ally to the Recovery Community and a passionate activist looking forward to working with the Recovery Community to organize and advocate for progressive change and eliminate the negative perception of people in recovery and those experiencing addiction.
Ashton is also a member of the transgender community and looks forward to assisting the Recovery Community in becoming more accessible to people of all gender identities and expressions.
Keep up all of the great work Ashton! You are an inspiration!
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PARTICIPATE IN A FOCUS GROUP DESIGNED TO GATHER YOUTH VOICES
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Last year, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in conjunction with NAMI formally designated 988 as a nationwide 3-digit number for mental health crisis and suicide prevention services.
NYS OMH and FTNYS YP will host a focus group to prepare NYS for the transition to 988 in July 2022. Your feedback and participation are requested to help inform the planning process!
Reach out to Tiara Springer-Love to participate in our focus group to shape the framework of the new 988 Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis hotline.
Call: 518-478-3769
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Attention! Hiring for NYC Regional Youth Partner
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There is an opening in Families Together in NYS, Inc., Youth Power, which is the statewide network of young people who have been labeled and are seeking change.
The Regional Youth Partners are peer leaders that connect local youth groups, coordinate regional youth advocacy efforts, and provide technical assistance and training on youth empowerment, youth-guided practice, and youth peer services. The Regional Youth Partner position is a credentialed Youth Peer Advocate position.
Applicants must send a resume with a formal cover letter to employment@ftnys.org in order to be considered.
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There are two virtual workshops left on various subject matters surrounding youth and substance use disorders.
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Join the Youth Power Advisory Council
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Youth Peer Meetings Are Here for You!
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Join Our Peer Supervisors Meetings
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(NEW!) Virtual Engagement Training for YPAs
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Tuesday, Sept 28th
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
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As the world evolves, so does our work! Virtual engagement and trainings have been the new standard for over a year now. This new platform requires new skills. Join this 90-minute training to examine challenges & resolutions surrounding virtual engagement, trouble-shooting technology, & more. You will also have the opportunity to work with other YPAs to brainstorm, collaboratively outline a virtual training, pitch your ideas, and gain feedback from your colleagues.
Presented by Robbie Lettieri, FTNYS
*Please note that this training is for YPAs only. Please complete the brief survey below to apply
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Best Practices in Supervision
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Now Available on the
This self-paced course aims to provide learners with a foundational understanding of the importance of supervisors within behavioral health settings and each aspect of the supervisory role. Current or aspiring supervisors will learn the distinction between leadership and management, how to support the professional development and wellness of staff, and how to build effective teams. In addition learners will practice having difficult conversations to increase team accountability and success. Through this five module course, learners will be better equipped to lead staff through difficult challenges and drive organizational success.
To access this course, please visit the Self-Learning Center at lms.ctacny.org.
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New York’s FREE and confidential COVID-19 Emotional Support Helpline
1-844-863-9314
8:00am – 10:00pm / 7 Days per week
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Camp Get-A-Way is offering a Fall Session September 24-26, 2021
Camp Get-A-Way exists to create a safe camp experience where families can just be themselves. We offer the opportunity to rediscover the joy of being a family in a traditional camp setting, without worry of discrimination or the stigma often associated with mental health issues
Come to the heart of the Catskills to experience great Fall camp activities, like:
- Hiking
- Pumpkin Painting
- Bread-making
- Campfires
- Fishing
- Archery
- Tie Dye
- Baking
- Arts and Crafts
4-H Camp Shankitunk
2420 Arbor Hill Rd.
Delhi, NY 13753
For more information and to register, head to:
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As New York State welcomes refugees from Afghanistan, it is critical that New York’s mental health providers are aware of the circumstances that recent refugees are likely to be affected by, and best practice approaches to serving them. New York State’s Office of Mental Health has created the attached resources for mental health providers and refugees themselves, to provide needed information about accessing high quality mental health resources and supports.
Translations available below.
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Youth Leadership Forums (YLF) for young people ages 14-24 to speak up, build leadership and self-advocacy skills, and prepare to take on leadership roles. These peer-run forums bring opportunities to YOUth and gives the next generation of leaders the tools and support they need for success. The youth leadership forums and parent/caregiver workshops are FREE to attend.
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EMPOWERING FAMILIES. COORDINATING SYSTEMS.
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