August 2023
'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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Celebrating the Success of UYP 2023!
Wrapping up our 9th Annual University of Youth Power (UYP) was a triumph! Under the inspiring theme "It Starts With Us: Redefining The Status Quo," UYP brought together youth leaders, stakeholders, and state agency leaders for insightful discussions. Our Youth Peer Advocates took charge in the tracks of Peer Advocacy, Systems Advocacy, and Recovery Advocacy, shaping a better future.
The Leader’s Lunch facilitated direct conversations on policy and the transformative impact of shared experiences. We extend heartfelt gratitude to all participants, whose dedication fuels positive change. Let's continue propelling the Youth Peer Movement forward, together!
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FANS Technical Assistance Office Hours
Multiple Dates
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LIFT Legislative Breakfast
September 22, 2023
9:00AM-11:30PM
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FANS Basic Training
September 18, 19, 20 & 21, 2023
10:00AM-12:30PM
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Governor Hochul Announces $108 Million Available for Schools to Address Pandemic Learning Loss and Support Mental Health |
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Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $108 million is available for school districts to support student well-being through expanding mental health supports. The new State matching fund, the $100 million Recover from COVID School Program, will provide funding to create or expand programs to help students address trauma caused by the pandemic, prioritizing school districts with the highest need. Additionally, a portion of the $100 million Recover from COVID School Program is available to address student learning loss exacerbated by the pandemic. Governor Hochul is also expanding school-based mental health clinics across the state through an $8.3 million investment within her $1 billion mental health plan.
Families Together in New York State supports most of this action and applauds the governor for recognizing the dire need for mental health support in school, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the need for a 100% match does cause concern. This means that school districts will need to match every dollar they would get from state funding. This could be a barrier and limitation to school districts that lack funding, which are among those who need it most.
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PAID Research Interview Opportunity from the Parent Legislative Action Network! |
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The Parent Legislative Action Network (PLAN) is working on a project to highlight the connections between the child welfare system and reproductive healthcare access. They are conducting interviews with parents with involvement from child protective systems and how that has impacted reproductive health care access. Reproductive health care can include (but is not limited to) pre and post-natal care, postpartum care, pregnancy testing, family planning, birth control, fertility services, abortion, testing for STIs, and any services relating to pregnancy.
Our intention is to raise further awareness of reproductive justice issues and to build connections across movements in the struggle toward reproductive justice.
PLAN is offering a $75 stipend for a 60-minute interview to all participants. If you are interested in participating in an interview, know someone who might be interested, or have questions, please email sduggan@jmacforfamilies.org.
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Urge Governor Hochul: Sign the Bill Decoupling Hours of Child Care Assistance from Parents' Hours of Work |
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S.5327A (Brisport)/A.4986A (Hevesi) will finally end the outdated restriction on families receiving assistance that currently ties the hours a child can attend childcare to the exact hours parents are working or pursuing their education. This practice is harmful to children, makes life needlessly harder for low-income parents, and causes uncertainty for childcare providers’ staffing and finances.
The legislature passed this bill this session and it is now up to the governor to sign it into law. The Empire State Campaign for Child Care is looking for organizations or individual childcare providers to sign this letter to convince the Hochul administration to sign this legislation. More information is in the links below!
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Biden-Harris Administration Takes Action to Make it Easier to Access In-Network Mental Health Care |
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On July 25th, President Biden announced a new landmark rule to strengthen mental and physical health parity requirements and improve mental health care access for more than 150 million Americans. The administration has made a fact sheet outlining these plans and actions, but some of the highlights include...
- Requiring health plans to make changes when they are providing inadequate access to mental health care.
- Advancing access to services in Medicare
- Providing mental health services in schools
- Enhancing crisis response by investing nearly $1 billion into strengthening and expanding the 9-8-8 suicide and crisis lifeline.
Families Together in New York State supports these efforts which are a small but important step in fixing the mental health crisis happening to youth and families across the country and in New York State.
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Adams, Hochul, James announce $485 million gun violence prevention plan |
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Governor Kathy Hochul, State Attorney General Letitia James, and Mayor Eric Adames have unveiled a plan to combat gun violence in New York City. Dubbed the "Blueprint for Community Safety, the $485 million initiative comes from the New York City Gun Violence Prevention Task Force of over 1500 community members.
While the city did not provide a detailed breakdown on how money will be spent, some of the major investments include $118 million to increase early support programs like youth mentorship. Another $57.5 million will go toward improving housing conditions, $118.5 million for job and skill training for young people and formerly incarcerated New Yorkers, and $106.7 million for “trauma-informed care” in terms of mental health resources.
These "upstream" and community-centered approaches are backed up by data and show a commitment to listening to NYC's youth and families who are actually affected by gun violence. We look forward to seeing more details of the plan and how it can help New York City residents live safely in their neighborhoods.
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If you find yourself exhibiting or tabling at events throughout the state, please include these two crucial documents! They include QR codes so youth and families can get involved.
Healthy Minds Healthy Kids: This infographic has great information on actions, events, and waitlist surveys.
Empire State Campaign for Child Care: The Campaign is leading a postcard campaign in support of universal childcare which will be delivered to the governor. Anyone can fill out the postcards, just collect and deliver them to 737 Madison Avenue, Albany NY, 12208 when completed.
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Share your story! “My family needs childcare because…” download and fill out this postcard from the Empire State Campaign for Child Care.
Your voice shapes policy! Mail your postcard to Families Together at 737 Madison Ave, Albany, NY 12208.
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Promoting Diversity and Inclusion in the Classroom: Back-to-School Guide for Parents
As the back-to-school season approaches, fostering diversity and inclusion in the classroom is essential for enhancing children's learning experiences. Embracing different perspectives allows kids to grasp various subjects from a broader and more enriching standpoint. Here are some practical ways parents can actively support diversity and inclusion:
1.Involve Kids:
- Encourage open discussions about differences and address instances of bias. By speaking up, children learn that it is crucial to stand against discrimination.
- Engage in reading diverse books and watching inclusive media together. Use age-appropriate resources to facilitate meaningful conversations about current events.
2.Encourage Teachers:
- Offer to help find diverse guest speakers for classroom or school assemblies. These speakers can bring unique insights and experiences to the learning environment.
- Communicate with teachers to understand how they incorporate diversity and inclusion in their lessons. Inquire about ways parents can support them in obtaining necessary resources for teaching these important values.
3.Take Action:
- Consider running for the school board or supporting someone who prioritizes diversity and inclusion in education. Your involvement can have a positive impact on the school's policies and practices.
- Attend school board meetings to advocate for policies that promote diversity and inclusion while speaking out against any actions that may hinder these principles.
By actively participating in your child's educational journey and promoting diversity and inclusion, you contribute to creating a more inclusive and enriching learning environment for all students. Together, parents, teachers, and school boards can work towards fostering an inclusive community that empowers and celebrates every student's unique qualities and perspectives.
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Introducing
Daneisha Brown,
a peer, advocate, and valued member of NYC's Youth Advisory Council. She's now a published author!
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Reach out to the
DEI Department
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Kim D. Kaiser
Simcha Weinstien
Justice Walcott
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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 who live in Rensselaer County
- Have experience(d) in foster care or have received mental health, juvenile justice, substance abuse, and disability and/or special education services or identifies with an at-risk community in Rensselaer County
- Any young person who wants to get $25 for attending county committee meetings
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Youth Peer Meetings Are Here for You |
Join Our Peer Supervisors Meetings |
NYS Justice Center Family Engagement
Please join members of our Individual & Family Support Unit as they explain how they support individuals receiving services, family members, and personal representatives as they navigate the investigations process. The Unit will also cover the importance of self-care and creating a "Self-Care Plan."
- October 16 - 12- 1 p.m.
- October 17 - 12 - 1 p.m.
- October 18 - 7 - 8 p.m.
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YPA Level 2, 4-Day Virtual Training:
November 16-17 & 20-21, 2023
12:00 PM to 4:00 PM each day
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Invitation for MHOTRS WESTERN Region! |
Attention CEOs and/or Program Directors of Family-Run Organizations:
The Managed Care Technical Assistance Center (MCTAC) and Peer Support Services Technical Assistance Center (PeerTAC) are pleased to announce upcoming in-person, regional gatherings for New York State Mental Health Outpatient Treatment and Rehabilitative Services (MHOTRS) Programs.
Participants will have an opportunity to connect with fellow MHOTRS providers as well the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH).
This event will be interactive and attendees should come prepared to actively engage and share their experiences. Discussions will focus on the implementation of Part 599 regulation changes, peer support services, off-site services, and if available, updated programmatic guidance.
Aug 23 - Western Region, Buffalo
Click the "Register" link below and select the preferred training from the Training & Events Calendar.
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The Inspiration Series: Learning from Adult, Family, and Youth Peer Supporters: From Parent to Family Peer Advocate; Strengthening the Clinical Team, One Step at a Time!
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Tuesday, August 22
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
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This webinar series is designed for the leadership and clinical staff in mental health organizations to hear from Adult, Family, & Youth Peer Support Specialists who will share their personal stories of recovery and how, through Peer Support Services, they were inspired to step into their role as a Peer Support Specialist. Participants will learn about the services they provided, supervision and support received, and how they contributed to a multidisciplinary team approach. As a clinic leader or member of the clinical staff you will consider new ways to collaborate and partner with peer support staff.
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Supporting Survivors: Family Peer Advocates Working with Survivors of Intimate Partner or Domestic Violence |
Wed., September 13
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
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In this webinar, Family Peer Advocates (FPAs) will learn fundamentals of domestic violence and intimate partner violence (DV/IPV) and the impacts exposure to DV/IPV may have on children and families. Strategies to engage with survivors that center their experience and promote ongoing discussion around safety and support will be explored. Additionally, given the unique role of FPAs will also have the importance of self-care as an integral component in maintaining this work will be highlighted.
At the end of this presentation, FPAs will learn:
- Foundational information about DV/IPV and how those dynamics play out in families
- Common impacts of DV/IPV on children and families
- Best practices for strategies and concrete approaches in engaging and supporting survivors of DV/IPV, while maintaining safety within the bounds of their role
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Credential Verification Tool for Youth and Family Peer Advocates |
Do you know your credential expiration date?
Youth and Family Peer Advocates, their supervisors, and agencies can check the current status of any Provisional or Professional Credential using our online verification tools anytime!
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EMPOWERING FAMILIES. COORDINATING SYSTEMS.
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