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Express Your Voice Through Creative Writing! This is your opportunity to share powerful stories about mental health, lived experiences, and peer support. Whether you write poetry, short stories, or other creative works, your artistic expression can help others connect with your journey while raising awareness about important issues affecting youth today. Your words have power. Your experiences matter. Join us in creating a tapestry of voices that celebrates resilience, builds community, and fosters understanding.
We look forward to reading your submissions and seeing you at the conference!
Submission Deadline: April 28, 2025
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No State Budget yet! There is still time to make an impact.
Keep up the pressure.
Ways to take action
$200M HMHK Rate Proposal Take Actions
7.8% Targeted Inflationary Rate Increases:
- Please make calls now to request support for the 7.8% inflationary increase in rates and contracts for behavioral health. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (518) 455-2585 Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (518) 455-3791
Your Senator: https://www.nysenate.gov/find-my-senator
Your Assemblymember: https://nyassembly.gov/mem/search/
Message “Please support a 7.8% inflationary increase in rates and contracts for mental health and substance use disorder staff and operations in the final budget. Without this additional funding, countless adults, children, and families will not get the services and support they desperately need.”
Youth Justice Innovation Fund
Send an email! https://cccnewyork.org/campaigns/fund-the-youth-justice-innovation-fund/
Child and Family Wellbeing Fund and other child welfare issues:
- Join us on social media to uplift the Child and Family Wellbeing Fund!
- Make a phone call to our state leaders in support of the Child and Family Wellbeing Fund.
- Send a letter directly to your legislators and the Governor in support of the Child and Family Wellbeing Fund, FYCSI, and a cost-of-living-adjustment for human services workers.
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Are you interested in growing your Family Peer or Youth Peer Program?
Check out our new video series on programmatic and organizational growth and capacity building! This two-part series features five videos and resource handouts covering key practices like identifying funding sources, developing grants, and collaborating with community partners. You'll also learn about core principles of capacity building and peer leadership.
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During Autism Awareness Month, let's:
- Acknowledge and address the mental health needs within the autism community.
- Invest in peer-informed, inclusive support systems.
- Ensure services are accessible, respectful, and affirming.
- Center lived experiences in developing solutions.
Read: For further insights
Addressing Mental Health Challenges for Neurodivergent Youth
by Simcha Weinstein, Behavioral Health News, April 2, 2024.
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New York State Resources:
Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD):
Provides services and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities, including autism. www.opwdd.ny.gov
Office of Mental Health (OMH):
Offers mental health services and peer support programs across the state. www.omh.ny.gov
New York State Education Department (NYSED)
Office of Special Education: Provides resources and support for students with disabilities.
www.nysed.gov/special-education
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April is recognized nationally as Child Abuse Prevention Month. In New York State, we’re focused on promoting child and family well-being, not just through services, but through everyday actions that build stronger, healthier communities. Child abuse and neglect can have deep and lasting effects on a child’s mental health. Early trauma is linked to increased risks of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), physical and behavioral health challenges. Recognizing these mental health needs early—and responding with care and compassion—is essential for the long-term well-being of children and families.
Why Peer Support Matters
Peer support specialists are people with lived experience, they play a critical role in helping families and children navigate the aftermath of trauma and system involvement.
Peer support offers:
- Empathy and shared understanding
- Help navigating complex services
- Advocacy for trauma-informed, culturally responsive care
- Peers help break cycles of isolation and stigma, offering connection when it's needed most.
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We're excited to invite young people like you to apply for the Youth Mental Health Advisory Board (YMHAB)—a space where your voice can help shape policies, programs, and services for youth across New York State.
As a member of YMHAB, you'll have the chance to advise state agencies and even the Governor on issues that matter most to you and your peers.
Requirements:
- Middle or high school student interested in mental health, including lived experience
- Commitment to driving meaningful change across New York State
- Attend at least four meetings per year, two of which will be in-person in Albany (compensation, travel, hotel, and meals covered)
| | Are you a passionate middle or high school student ready to speak up for youth mental health? | | Click each social media application to access our page! | | | | |
737 Madison Avenue
Albany, NY 12208
Office Phone: 518.432.0333
Information Email: info@ftnys.org
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