December, 2022
'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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Meet Families Togethers Newest Board Member
KIM KADZIOLKA
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Kim is the Executive Director of the Parent Network of Western New York. Kim has worked more than 30 years in multiple systems including the disability, behavioral health, child welfare, and juvenile justice systems. She grew up in the small community of Pembroke, NY, and moved to Buffalo as a young adult, where she has remained.
She received her bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences from the University at Buffalo, her master’s degree in Human Services Administration from Buffalo State College, and her educational doctorate in Health Administration from D’Youville University.
She considers herself fortunate to work in a cross section of systems, and is very proud of the impact her work has made. She has learned that people are more similar than they are different, that we all need help to reach our full potential. She can’t think of a career more rewarding than empowering others.
Fun fact about Kim is that she loves everything about WNY; the food, the Bills and Sabres, festivals, Lake Erie, and the four seasons.
The Board is so thrilled that Kim has agreed to join and share her time and expertise with Families Together to benefit the families and youth they serve.
Welcome Kim!
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The Families Together Team would like to wish Season's Greetings to you and your family, and very best wishes for the New Year. May the Holiday Season bring only happiness and joy to you and your family. Wishing you and your family peace, health, happiness, and prosperity in the coming New Year.
Season's Greetings!
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FANS Technical Assistance Office Hours
Multiple Dates
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FANS Basic Training
January 17, 18, 19 & 20, 2023
10:00AM-12:30PM
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Family Empowerment Month
Multiple Dates
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Registration coming soon. |
Families Together is Hiring! |
Families Together in New York State (FTNYS), in partnership with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), is seeking to employ Family Policy Advisors at the state and regional levels to assist OCFS in developing policies and procedures that promote the voice of parents throughout the child welfare system.
Family Policy Advisors are parents with personal experience in navigating the child welfare system.
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Family Empowerment Month is approaching! Save the date for the in-person Family Empowerment Day on March 21st, and keep an eye out for our virtual town halls taking place throughout the month. |
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FTNYS Preliminary Policy Agenda
Families Together in New York State has released an early version of our priority agenda for the 2023 year. This is currently a preliminary version and is subject to change before finalization, but many of the items listed are what we will be focusing on for youth and families in the coming new year. Some highlights include...
- Comprehensive Rate Reform for CFTSS, HCBS, Clinics, and Residential Treatment Facilities and Workforce Investments
- 8.5% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for human service agencies including peer support.
- Ensuring every Family has a Family and Youth Peer Advocate
- Pass the Solutions Not Suspensions Act (A5197/S7198)
- Develop multiple pathways to a high school diploma beyond high-stakes testing.
- Pass the Children and Families Reinvestment Act
- Protect historic ‘Raise the Age’ youth justice reforms from any rollbacks
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Successful Youth Justice Rally in NYC!
Youth, parents, juvenile justice advocates, elected officials, public defender organizations, faith leaders, and others rallied to urge lawmakers to prioritize two pieces of critical legislation in the 2023 legislative session - The #Right2RemainSilent bill (S.2800/A.5891) and The Youth Justice and Opportunities Act (S.5749/A3536) - which would provide for age-appropriate responses to young New Yorkers entangled in the criminal legal system.
The #Right2RemainSilent legislation, sponsored by New York State Senator Jamaal Bailey and Assembly Member Latoya Joyner, would codify young New Yorkers’ right to counsel before a custodial police interrogation.
FTNYS wants to thank everyone who attended to fight for these crucial bills and for youth justice in New York State!
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NYS Needs a Cost of Living Adjustment for the Behavioral Health Workforce
The New York State Legislature and Hochul Administration passed a cost of living adjustment for our mental health and addiction workforce. However, we still face critical challenges in hiring and retaining workers as demand continues to soar and waitlists grow. Together with our partner organizations, we call on Governor Hochul, the Assembly, and the Senate to continue to invest and pass an 8.5% COLA and a $500 million rate increase for unrestricted flexible funding for next year's budget. Anything less will not meet the skyrocketing needs of youth and families.
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Diploma Coalition Releases Petition Calling for Decoupling Graduation & Regents
Today, the Coalition for Multiple Pathways to a Diploma released a petition signed by more than 1,250 parents, students, educators, and advocates calling on NYSED and the Board of Regents to decouple Regents exams from high school graduation requirements. Exit exams increase high school dropout rates, especially for students of color & students from low-income backgrounds—without providing any clear benefits for students who pass the tests. Instruction should be engaging, meaningful, and relevant to students’ lives—not focused on prepping for a single test. Families Together in NYS stands with the 1250+ New Yorkers calling on NYSED to decouple Regents exams from graduation requirements! It is time for graduation requirements to evolve and help to educate our youth rather than be a barrier.
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CELEBRATE !
Ayeye - Fayern - Qìngdiǎn - Celebrar - Aihtafal Svyatkuvaty makiberi
Click each graphic to enlarge.
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According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness - 64% of Individuals living with Mental Illness report feeling worse around the holidays. This is a time when emotions, family issues and anxiety are elevated for Families, Youth and Individuals.
Please Click links below for some tips on how to manage, pamper and celebrate yourself.
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Creating New Holiday Traditions that Empower & Embrace You ! |
This time of year the habits and beliefs we hold influence our behavior, our spending and the pressure we place to follow the traditions our culture, society and family have become accustomed to.
What if you create new traditions that are not based on who you were but who you have become? Take time to reflect, on what brings joy, hope and peace to you and your loved ones. Keep traditions that you hold sacred and add new ones. Incorporate ideas from your children and other loved ones.
For example, James and Thomas, Dads of 2 special needs children created traditions that embraced their journey towards marriage equity and parenthood. They maintained the traditional Christmas tree and added marriage photos, a rainbow flag, birth and adoption certificates and other items that evoke love and gratitude. James and Thomas’ children created a Christmas Eve tradition - A Pajama Dance Party with Cheeseburgers, Fries and board games. To round off their Holiday, James and Thomas invite their most supportive and loving friends and family for a Hip Hop potluck brunch.
The collaboration and creation of new traditions has resulted in more relaxing, enjoyable and empowering Holiday Seasons. Creating these unique memories define their family and foster belonging.
So, always keep traditions that spark happiness, belonging and hope. But, never be afraid to start something new.
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VOYA (Voices of Youth Advisors) is the youth advisory council of Rensselaer County. As a part of VOYA, you become a part of the Youth Power network, the New York State network of young people who have been labeled and who are seeking change.
Who can join?
- Any young person that wants a chance to make a difference
- Young people between the ages of 14 and 28
- Young people who live in Rensselaer County and have experience(d) in foster care or have received mental health, juvenile justice, substance abuse, and disability and/or special education services in Rensselaer County.
- Any young person who wants to get $25 for attending informational meetings
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Join the Youth Power Advisory Council |
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YPA Level 2, 4-Day Virtual Training:
January 26-27 & 30-31, 2023
12:00 PM to 4:00 PM each day
FPA Level 2, 4-Day Virtual Training:
February 9-10 & 13-14, 2023
9:30 AM to 2:00 PM each day
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Dismantling the Foster Care-to-Prison Pipeline |
New Webinar
Wednesday, January 11, 2023
1:00PM-2:30PM
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By engaging in courageous conversations, participants will learn how the foster care-to-prison pipeline impacts youth and families within systems of care. Further, participants will be inspired by the lived experience of presenters Yusef Preseley and Marquen Teetz, and will be called to action as the webinar asks them to imagine ways to dismantle the foster care-to-prison pipeline in their local communities. |
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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EMPOWERING FAMILIES. COORDINATING SYSTEMS.
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