Families Together in New York State (FTNYS) is seeking passionate individuals with lived experience for various roles. We need Family Policy Advisors to help develop child welfare policies (Long Island, NYC), a Family Lead Coordinator to liaise between families and Cayuga County, and Family Peer Engagement Advocates with firsthand Child Welfare experience in Erie County.

Learn more & apply

Darius Shahinfar

Darius Shahinfar has previously served on the Families Together Board of Directors and held the position of Treasurer on the Executive Committee. FTNYS is excited to welcome him back to the Board.

Darius is currently the Treasurer and CFO of the City of Albany. He was first elected in 2013, earning the most votes of all City-wide candidates. He brings extensive experience as an attorney in both the public and private sectors and has worked in all three branches of local, state, and federal government. Before his election, he served as Deputy Albany County Attorney, Regional Representative for then-Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand, Appellate Court Attorney under Judge Anthony Cardona, Associate at the Albany firm of Bouck, Holloway, Kiernan & Casey, and Senate Fellow on the Local Government Committee.

Darius earned his Juris Doctor from Albany Law School. In addition to his previous service on the Families Together board, where he served as Treasurer on the Executive Committee, he has been actively involved in his community. He has served, or currently serves, on the boards of Albany Law School, St. Anne Institute, Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood, National Little League, and the Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) of Central Ave., Lark St., and Downtown Albany. A resident of Albany for over 20 years and nearly a lifelong Upstate New Yorker, Darius and his wife are the proud parents of two children.

Upcoming Events

Raising Our Voices

Aug. 28, 2024 6-7:00 PM

Equity Empowered

Aug. 29, Sep. 25, Oct. 29 & Nov. 19, 2024

FANS Technical Assistance Office Hours

Multiple Dates

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FANS Basic Training

Sept. 16 & 17, 10AM - 3PM

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Attention: New York City Parents

Are you a dedicated parent or caregiver, passionate about improving the mental and behavioral well-being of young individuals?

We invite you to join the Family Advisory Board. As a member, you'll play a crucial role in shaping policies, programs, and services offered by the New York State Office of Mental Health specifically tailored to meet the needs of children, youth, and families in our city. Your voice is important, and together, we can make a significant impact on countless lives. Apply now and contribute to building a brighter future for our community.

A Comprehensive Guide to Upcoming Events and Opportunities for Community Empowerment in August

Explore a wealth of transformative events and opportunities in 2024, from the NYS Community Schools Resilience & Equity Conference to youth justice councils and mental health advocacy initiatives empowering individuals and communities for positive change.

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Thursday, September 26, 2024 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Albany Marriott, 189 Wolf Road

Caregivers, Advocates to be Honored at Kinship Care Month Celebration

On Thursday, September 26, Kinship Care professionals, advocates and providers will gather in Albany for a celebration of Kinship Care Month. The luncheon will be held at the Albany Marriott at 189 Wolf Road from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

“During Kinship Care Month, we celebrate the treasured natural resource of kinship caregivers statewide, and highlight the important contribution that kin make in supporting and raising children, along with the advocates who fight so fiercely for them,” said Rae Glaser, Director of the NYS Kinship Navigator, an information, referral, and advocacy program for kinship caregivers in New York State.

There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. We'll be sharing more information in the weeks to come, but hope you will sign up soon!

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Life rarely feels normal when your child struggles with emotional, behavioral, or mental illness. It can be lonely and discouraging, especially after years of disrupted schooling and limited in-person support.

Camp Get-A-Way offers a safe camp experience where families can be themselves, free from discrimination and stigma. Enjoy traditional camp activities like archery, swimming, fishing, and canoeing. Share laughter around the campfire, make crafts, and play games. Find hope through family resources and training, and build lasting friendships with others facing similar challenges.

Camp Get-A-Way Sessions are:

Summer I: August 18-21 at Camp Bristol Hills in Canandaigua
Summer II: September 27-29 at Camp Comstock in Ithaca
Fall I: October 4-7 at Dorothy P. Flint Camp in Riverhead

Learn More

Credential Verification Tool for Youth and Family Peer Advocates

Do you know your

YPA or FPA 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!

FPA Credential Verification tool

YPA Credential Verification tool

Job Board for Peer Support Professionals

Visit the National Association of Peer Support Professionals (N.A.P.S.) job board for peer support professionals seeking employment and employers seeking to hire peer support professionals in NYS and nationwide.

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Become a Credentialed Family Peer Advocate (FPA-C)!

Family Peer Advocates have ‘lived-experience’ as the parent (biological, foster, adoptive) or primary caregiver of a child/youth with a social, emotional, behavioral, mental health, or developmental disability. They receive training to develop skills and strategies to empower and support other families. They foster effective parent-professional partnership and promote the practice of family-driven and youth-guided approaches.

Family Peer Support Brochure

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Become a Credentialed Youth Peer Advocate (YPA-C)!

A Youth Peer Advocate is an individual between 18-30 years of age who has self-identified as a person who has first-hand experience with emotional (mental health), behavioral challenges, and/or co-occurring disorders as a young person or has received services in any one of the child-serving systems (juvenile justice, special education, substance use disorder, or foster care). YPAs use their lived experience to assist in supporting youth in their resiliency/recovery and wellness.

Youth Peer Support Brochure

Learn More

NYC Mayoral Interfaith Mental Health Working Group

Our DEI Coordinator, Simcha Weinstein, recently presented at the NYC Mayoral Interfaith Mental Health Working Group held at START NY headquarters in Brooklyn. Leading a cohort of NYC faith leaders, Simcha delivered a PowerPoint presentation on the role of faith leaders as first responders. The presentation highlighted how faith leaders often serve as the first point of contact for individuals seeking help with mental health or substance use issues. Key points included the need for better coordination between religious institutions and professional services to improve care, as well as the benefits of partnering with faith-based organizations to expand access, build trust, and provide more culturally competent services.

Simcha also emphasized the critical role of peer support in these efforts. The session was both insightful and impactful, underscoring the important intersection of faith and mental health in our communities.

We are excited to offer a series of empowering workshops designed to support and uplift families by focusing on key aspects of culture, identity, and mental health. Join us on August 29th for "Intention and Impact," where we'll explore how to empower family culture and utilize lived expertise. On September 25th, discover the valuable role faith-based communities can play as natural supports. In October, our "Shattering the Stigma" session will provide strategies to reduce stigma around mental health and autism. Finally, on November 19th, learn how to engage and integrate family voices through highly participatory processes. Don't miss these opportunities to deepen your understanding and enhance your ability to support families. Register today and be part of the change!

For any questions, please contact YWynter@ftnys.org. Continuing education credits are available!

As the new school year begins, it's crucial to prioritize the mental health of our children. This graphic highlights the importance of focusing on their emotional well-being alongside academic preparation. With one in five children facing a diagnosable mental health disorder, parents, caregivers, and educators must work together to create supportive environments. By encouraging open communication, establishing routines, recognizing signs of mental health issues, and incorporating mental health education, we can help our children navigate the school year with confidence and resilience. Let's make mental health a priority for a successful school year!

Families Together in NYS at the East Harlem Community Partnership Event

This Summer Families Together in NYS teamed up with Vibrant Emotional Health and CCSI at the East Harlem Community Partnership event. We hosted an interactive table, providing peer support materials and mental health resources. Our focus was on the importance of family and youth advocacy, engaging with the community to raise awareness about the essential mental health services and resources available to families and young people. This event was a great opportunity to strengthen our connections within the community and ensure that everyone knows they have support available when needed.

Your Input is Needed for the Youth Power 2025 Priority Agenda

Share your insights and the things you are passionate about advocating for.

Provide Input

Youth homelessness is a critical issue that affects millions of young people across the United States, often leaving them vulnerable and without the support they need. At least 4.2 million youth experience some form of homelessness each year, with nearly half facing this challenge more than once. The situation is even more dire for certain demographics, including LGBTQ+ youth, young people of color, and young parents, who face significantly higher risks of homelessness. These young individuals encounter numerous barriers, such as income inequality, gaps in foster care, and lack of affordable housing, which further complicate their ability to find stability. It's essential to understand these challenges and work towards providing the necessary support and resources to help these youth build a better future.

View and Share

Youth Peers Meetings Are Here for You

YPM is a statewide meeting intended for Youth Peer Advocates, Certified Recovery Peer Advocates (CRPA), youth leaders, and others in similar peer-based roles, such as peer mentors, that work with youth. We meet monthly for an open discussion surrounding best practices, challenges, and strategies in peer advocacy. These meetings provide a platform to share experiences, gain insights, and collaborate on innovative approaches to support youth. Topics include effective communication, mental health resources, substance abuse recovery, and community engagement. By fostering a supportive network, YPM aims to empower peers to enhance their skills and impact in their roles.

Sep-Dec 2024 Registration

Statewide Ban on Cell Phones in Schools: Share your thoughts!

Govenor Hochul's administration is exploring the possibility of banning phones in schools statewide with standardized legislation. The Governor plans to use the next few months to meet with stakeholders including school officials, teachers, parents, and school aged youth the gather information to inform a statewide policy her administration plans to announce before the end of the year.

Although the administration acknowledges some practical and safety concerns of this proposal, they do point to evidence that overuse of "digital distractions" has having a negative impact on the mental health and learning outcomes of school aged youth.

As part of that effort, we want to hear from you! Below is a survey to evaluate how our members feel about this proposal. We will share our findings with key leaders and stakeholders.

Share your thoughts here!

OPWDD Invites You to Take the Care Coordination Program Evaluation Survey

The following is a letter from acting OPWDD Commissioner Willow Baer

Dear Friends,

On behalf of OPWDD and the American Institutes for Research, I am pleased to share an opportunity for people with lived disability experience and their family members to provide feedback on your experiences with care management.

OPWDD currently has a contract with the American Institutes for Research to conduct an independent evaluation of the Care Coordination program. The goal of the evaluation is to learn what parts of the program are working well and what areas could be improved.

We know that those of you who interact on a regular basis with Care Coordination Organizations and care managers can help us understand how we can strengthen care management going forward. We hope you will take a few moments to participate in the Care Coordination Evaluation survey. The online survey will be open until August 26, 2024

I look forward to hearing your thoughts about this important service.

Thank you,

Willow Baer

Acting Commissioner

Click Here to Learn More

Click Here to Take the Survey

Our Issues in the News:

Daniel's Law Interviews

In support of the Daniel’s Law Task Force and the State of New York, community members are being sought who have experience contacting crisis services for their opinions. One way the Task Force is collecting this information is by conducting interviews with people ages 18 or older who have experienced a behavioral health crisis or supported another person through a crisis. These interviews will help us understand the needs of people using these services and improve these services for all New Yorkers. An honorarium of $50 is being offered to each participant who takes part in a qualitative interview. We value all participant’s time and insights, and we hope this honorarium acknowledges their efforts in contributing to this project. All responses will remain confidential.

Content Warning: During the interview, we will touch on many topics around mental health and substance use.

If you are interested contact please contact Anica Maggard (amaggard@nystec.com), Ian Rodgers (ian.rodgers@omh.ny.gov) or Gilbert Nick (Gilbert.Nick@nki.rfmh.org).

Click Here to Learn More!

Families Together in New York State, in collaboration with The Alliance for Rights and Recovery, Mental Health Association in New York State (MHANYS), Mental Health Empowerment Project (MHEP), and NAMI New York State, invites you to an empowering webinar that explains the connection between voting and mental health advocacy.

This webinar will equip you to:

Understand Your Power: Learn how your vote directly impacts mental health resources and policies.

Know Your Rights: Gain clarity on your voting rights as a member of the mental health community.

Navigate the Process: Discover tools and resources to confidently participate in elections.

Overcome Challenges: Learn strategies to address potential obstacles in the voting process.

Amplify Your Influence: Understand how civic engagement extends beyond voting to create lasting change.

Whether you're new to voting or looking to increase your impact, you'll leave this webinar ready to make your voice heard.

737 Madison Avenue

Albany, NY 12208

Office Phone: 518.432.0333

Information Email: info@ftnys.org

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