What's Ahead: Youth Peer Advocates

featuring our CEO, Paige Pierce, and Director of Youth Power, Justice Walcott.

Save the Date!

Keep an eye on www.ftnys.org/family-empowerment-month for future updates!

Children's Behavioral Health Advocacy Updates!

Last Thursday, Families Together rallied alongside our partners at the Citizen's Committee for Children and the Healthy Minds Healthy Kids (HMHK) Caregiver and Youth Council at the HMHK Speakout (see recording). Together, we called for $195M for an enhanced children's rate for outpatient and community-based children's mental health services like Children and Family Treatment and Support Services (CFTSS), Home-and Community-Based Services (HCBS), and clinical services, as well as other key investments in youth mental health. The recommendation is detailed in a recent report from the campaign, showing demand has surged while providers’ capacity has shrunk over time. A special shoutout to our Family and Youth Peer leaders who represented our network in the rate study workgroup! (We're looking at you, Dorothy Weiss, Trish Lushnick, and Christina Hauptman!)

Less than an hour later, Public Policy Director Brad Hansen, Central Regional Youth Partner Kristin Rivera, and CEO Paige Pierce testified at the NYS OMH Townhall.

Now, we need your help. Spread this take action letter far and wide and let state leaders know that our communities need access to children's behavioral healthcare!

Testimony begins at 57:40

Attorney General James Uncovers Major Problems With Mental Health and Insurance Agencies

Attorney General James Uncovers Major Problems

Accessing Mental Health Care through Insurance Companies

• New OAG Report Finds that Insurers’ Directories of Mental Health Providers are 86 Percent Inaccurate, Exacerbating Mental Health Crisis

• Report Follows Two Mental Health Hearings Held by AG James and Provides Recommendations to Increase Access to Care

"Tamara Begel, a parent who tried repeatedly to get care for her nine-year-old son after he attempted suicide, testified at the Attorney General’s June 2022 mental health hearing that 'the system of care on Long Island in general has completely collapsed. There are not [enough] psychologists to treat kids after they have suicid[e] attempts. Kids who had swallowed large numbers of pills are waiting six months to a year to see a psychiatrist . . . [and] everyone from the psychiatrist to the family peer advocates . . . are not paid appropriately.'"

Tell Governor Hochul: Decouple Childcare!

The following is quoted from the Op-Ed: Decoupling Child Care By Diana Limongi

Right now, families who need and rely on child care assistance in New York State are prohibited from using child care for any time outside scheduled work. 

Governor Hochul has the power to make life easier for working parents by signing legislation that ends the punitive and disruptive policy of tying parents’ access to subsidized child care to their work schedules. 

Right now, child care subsidies are tied to child care attendance, which must match a parent’s exact work hours. It’s a practice that especially hurts single and low-income parents because they do not have care for their children while they take care of their health, go to school, get a certification course or manage other pressing matters. Imagine being a parent who has a medical condition that requires attention, but you cannot visit a doctor because there is nobody to care for your child while you do. 

This policy also harms child care providers, who would fare better if they were paid by enrollment. Senate Bill 5327A/Assembly Bill 4986A would make it easier for parents with fluctuating and non-traditional work hours to access child care. Without a doubt, this bill would create more stability for children, families and the child care providers who serve them. 

Life happens, and child care should support – not impede – parents’ ability to deal with life’s emergencies. We urge Gov. Hochul to sign it into law, so many more parents can access child care that works for their families. 

Call Governor Hochul today with the script below!

Our Issues in the News

• America agrees: Let’s innovate NOT incarcerate our teens
• NY bolsters school-based mental health clinics. Advocates want more in state budget
• New York advocates push for millions in funding for the state youth mental health system
• Mental health funding is fast becoming “the bipartisan issue of our time
• Help us report on youth mental health in NYC
• Opinion: Universal school lunch, because hunger lives everywhere
• Family Justice Journey: Winter 2023 Issue

Maintaining Mental Health During the Holiday Season

The holiday season can be joyful and stressful, impacting mental well-being in various ways. Here are some tips to help prioritize mental health during the holiday season:

Set Realistic Expectations: Don't strive for perfection. Set realistic expectations for yourself and others. Understand that not everything will go as planned, and that's okay.

Budget Wisely & Plan Ahead: Plan your holiday schedule to avoid last-minute stress. Financial stress can contribute to anxiety. Create a budget and stick to it. Consider alternatives like homemade gifts or experiences instead of expensive purchases.

Prioritize Self-Care: Make time for self-care activities, whether reading, walking, or practicing mindfulness. Ensure you get enough sleep and maintain a regular exercise routine.

Be selective about the events you attend, and remember it's okay to decline invitations if you're feeling overwhelmed.

Volunteer or Give Back: Helping others can be a great way to shift focus and boost your mood. Consider volunteering for a local charity or contributing to a community project.

Seek Professional Support: If you find yourself struggling with your mental health, don't hesitate to seek help from a mental health professional. Many therapists offer virtual sessions if in-person visits are challenging.

Resource to help New Yorkers understand mental wellness and cope with everyday stress, and stay resilient.

Remember, everyone's experience during the holiday season is unique. Listen to yourself and take the steps necessary to ensure a healthy and enjoyable holiday season.

PROS on Broadway: Personalized

Recovery Oriented Services

PROS, or Personalized Recovery Oriented Services, aids individuals in overcoming barriers in work, education, living, wellness, socialization, parenting, and more. For details, please take a look at the flyer.

We are excited to announce a new learning collaborative developed to increase the number of credentialed Family Peer Advocates of Color working within community -based organizations.

BIPOC PEEEEEK is hosting a series of stakeholder information sessions and parent/caregiver information sessions. The learning collaborative will begin toward the end of January 2024 in both Buffalo and Rochester.

They have have also invited representatives from the New York State office of Mental Health to join and share information on how organizations can become designated providers for Children and Family Treatment Support Services (CFTSS).

Please see the flyer below and share with parents/caregivers and be sure to send a member of your leadership team to one of our information sessions to learn more.