Families Together in New York State hosts overwhelmingly successful Virtual Conference. |
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Thank you to everyone that attended this years Annual Conference! In the coming weeks those who were registered will have access to the recordings of the full conference. We will also offer a late-registration for those who were unable to attend the day-of. Keep an eye out for further updates! |
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May, 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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W. BRIAN BARR
W. Brian Barr, a social worker by trade is a longtime champion for those addicted, emotionally, and behaviorally challenged as well as a suicide prevention advocate. His long career includes being the Clinical and Community Director for the LaSalle School in Albany and the Associate Commissioner for the State Office of Children and Family Services. Brian is currently the Board President of Senior Hope Counseling, an organization that works with people aged 50 and over who have problems with drugs and alcohol. He has served on the Board of Next Step, a program for women seeking recovery from substance abuse; acting as president of the Neighborhood Resource Center, which addresses substance abuse in local neighborhoods, serving as president of a youth program that offers evening recreational and art programs to children in a high-risk community as well as serving as president of the Family and Children’s Service Agency of Albany. He is a true asset to the Families Together Board.
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MEET THE
PARENT ADVISORS
Who is Families Together's
Gardener Extraordinaire?
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Kathleen Liedka
Central New York
Regional Parent Advisor
Kathleen has been one of the Parent Advisors for the Central Region for 7 years and is passionate about Suicide Prevention and Postvention. Kathleen is a co-facilitator of a support group for individuals who have lost someone to suicide. Kathleen tries hard to “practice what we preach” by paying attention to her own mental wellness. She finds so much joy and respite in nature. Kathleen is an avid, amateur gardener, as well as a backyard birder, each winter she participates in Cornell’s Project Feeder Watch recording what birds visit her feeders during a certain time. Information is submitted to Cornell for analysis to keep track of bird migration, feeding behaviors etc. She is a greeter at her church and participates in the Compassion Connection and Hospitality Ministry. She enjoys spending time with her family and two beautiful fur babies.
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FANS Technical Assistance Office Hours
Multiple Dates
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Spring School 2021 Webinar Series
May 25th & June 8th
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Leadership & Poetry Workshop
Thursday, May 27th,
4:00 - 5:00 AM
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FANS Basic Training
June 14th - 17th
10:00 - 11:30 AM
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Virtual University of Youth Power
Thursday & Friday, June 24th & 25th
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Foundations for Leadership
July 15th & 29th
6:00 - 8:00 PM
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Virtual Youth Leadership Forum
July 19-21st & 26-28th
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'Families Together conference spotlights meeting of law enforcement and mental health' |
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CAPITAL REGION, NY (WRGB) — “We always say at Families Together, ‘nothing about us without us.’ When we're making policies or even if it’s an individual plan, your own personal plan - if you include stakeholders you’ll have a better outcome.”
With that guiding principle in mind, Paige Pierce and Families Together New York State held their conference over Zoom this week.
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Call to Action: Lawmakers Must Pass Two Critical Youth Justice Bills
Two pieces of legislation are currently moving through the legislature that have the potential to dramatically improve the lives of juvenile justice system-involved youth.
A.6769/S.282 allows for an individual to apply for youthful offender adjudication status after a period of five years with no new offenses, providing an easier path forward for working and living in their community.
A.4982/S.4051 will raise the lower age of delinquency jurisdiction from age 7 to 12, ending the arrest and prosecution of children under 12 as delinquents, amongst other measures to protect youth from extremely early justice system involvement.
We implore the Assembly, Senate, and Governor to pass these bills as soon as possible. Contact your lawmakers today and tell them to pass A.6769/S.282 and S4051/A4982.
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To find out who you state Senate and Assembly members are, click here.
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CHAMPS-NY Pushes for NYS Foster Care Ombudsman |
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CHAMPS-NY calls on NYS to create a Foster Care Ombudsman office. This office would create transparency in the New York Foster Care system by providing avenues for independent review, public accountability, and impartial conflict mediation for youth and caregivers in foster care.
S.3109/A.6269 is the legislation that would create this ombudsman office. It has made some significant progress recently as it is currently scheduled for a committee vote.
We need our members' help to get it through the NYS legislature and onto the governor's desk. Contact your legislator today.
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Governor Cuomo Extends Telehealth Flexibility |
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Governor Cuomo has issued Executive Order 202.102, which extends telehealth regulatory flexibility for OMH-licensed, funded, and designated programs, until May 19, 2021.
Executive Order 202.98 also extends modifications to the background check process for OMH authorized programs until May 19, 2021.
These telehealth flexibilities have been crucial for helping NYS families navigate OMH services during the COVID-19 Pandemic. FTNYS applauds the decision to keep these conditions into the foreseeable future.
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Senator Samra Brouk Introduces Bill Establishing a Three-Digit National Mental Health Crisis Line |
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Last October, the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020 was signed into Federal law, establishing 9-8-8 as a nationwide suicide prevention hotline number and requiring each state to implement the system by July 2022. This bill would enable New York to begin building the necessary statewide infrastructure for this life-saving crisis response system.
Last month, Senator Samra Brouk (SD-55) introduced New York State Senate Bill S6194, which would establish the three-digit, 9-8-8 national suicide prevention hotline number that individuals experiencing a mental health crisis, or their loved ones, could call or text to be connected to trained mental health counselors. The shortened, three-digit number will be easier to remember and allow more people to get help when it is needed.
The counselors staffing the 9-8-8 crisis hotline centers will be trained to respond to mental health emergencies and could coordinate with 9-8-8 operators to deploy mobile crisis teams to individuals in need. These support teams are staffed by mental health professionals, peers, and family advocates instead of police officers, whose response to mental health crises in the 55th District and across the country has resulted in unnecessary violence and death.
Furthermore, S6194 would mandate that calls to 9-1-1 reporting a mental health crisis would be transferred to 9-8-8, and operators monitoring both lines would be able to coordinate law enforcement, fire, or medical response if needed.
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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 home. Stay Healthy. Take action.
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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We would like to recognize ALL of our Regional Youth Partners throughout the state! Thank you for all your hard work in the world of advocacy and amplifying youth voice! #LeadOn
Alex Carpenter (Western)
Julie Dealing (Central)
Charles Anthony Rice (Hudson River)
Alia Pierre (NYC)
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Join the FTNYS Team!
As a Long Island 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.
Applicants must send a resume with a formal cover letter to
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New Episode & Event with Free To Be |
We are excited to announce a brand new episode from our very first podcast, Free To Be, is available now! Listen to the new episode now! |
Free to Be aims to amplify queer youth voice within our state and discuss LGBTQ+ topics while maybe having some fun along the way. |
Join Our Peer Supervisors Meetings |
Youth Peer Meetings Are Here for You! |
#VUYP21 is Here!
Submit Your Advocacy Art Today!
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Creating Inclusive Environments in Peer Roles: Navigating Mental Health in the LGBTQ+ Community & Understanding Gender |
Wednesday, June 9th
12:00-1:30 PM
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Robbie Lettieri, the Youth Peer Services Training and Credentialing Manager at Families Together in NY State (FTNYS), will discuss the meanings of gender, sex assigned at birth/biological sex, intersex, transgender, gender fluidity, and more!
A diverse group of panelists will share their experiences and address common struggles within the LGBTQ+ community regarding emotional wellbeing and access to support services. We will also dive into how culture impacts the LGBTQ+ community, specifically within the BIPOC community. We’ll engage in some brief activities to uncover our own prejudices and explore opportunities to create inclusive youth peer environments.
Panelists:
- Alia Pierre (She/Her): NYC Regional Youth Partner
- Zack Kilmer (He/Him): Public Policy & AMPLIFY-NY Coordinator
- Ari Sues (They/Them): Youth Power Ambassador
- Imari Wilson (He/Him & They/Them): Youth Peer Engagement Specialist
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Family Peer Advocate Continuing Education Module:
Kinship Care
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Families Together is pleased to announce a new Continuing Education Module for Family Peer Advocates (FPAs) on Kinship Care. This course was created in partnership with the Community Technical Assistance Center (CTAC). Kinship Care refers to grandparents, relatives, and family friends raising children when parents are unable. In New York State, approximately 195,000 children are in kinship care. Through this Family Peer Advocate Continuing Education Module, learners will further develop an understanding of kinship care, including financial and legal implications, and learn strategies to best support caregivers within this role. Learners will also understand the importance of connecting families to the NYS Kinship Navigator for support and consultation.
To access this course, please follow the link below to the CTAC Self-Learning Center. If you are already registered and enrolled in the Family Peer Advocate Training, this module will appear within the continuing education pathway.
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Good news! Federal law has changed, and significant new tax credits are now available to New Yorkers who buy a health plan through NY State of Health. Learn more here.
The American Rescue Plan, which was signed into law on March 11, 2021, will lower health care costs by providing new and expanded financial assistance to New Yorkers enrolling in health insurance through NY State of Health.
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Call for Applications
New York Cares for Communities
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Announcing partnership awards to support communities adversely affected by coronavirus pandemic
New York State Cares for Communities to support communities most adversely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic
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Notice of Intent Due:
Friday, June 4
Application Due:
Friday, June 18
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EMPOWERING FAMILIES. COORDINATING SYSTEMS.
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