December Advocacy Update

As we close out the year, we are proud of the momentum families, youth, and advocates have built together across New York State. December was marked by powerful conversations, strong turnout, and clear next steps as we head into the next legislative session. Below are highlights from recent events and important opportunities to stay engaged.

Family Empowerment Day: Save The Date and Register

Families, youth, and advocates from across the state will come together for a rally and march to make our voices heard in Albany. FED is a powerful opportunity to show lawmakers what family-centered policy looks like in action. 

Register now using the link below or the QR on the flyer!

What to Expect

• Get on the Bus! Transportation will be available from multiple regions across the state
• Rally and March to the Capitol with youth, families, and advocates
• Connect with other families and youth with lived experience.
• Engage, advocate, and ignite change in child welfare, juvenile justice, mental health, developmental disabilities, and education

Child Welfare Summit: Centering Families & Youth


Last month, families, youth, advocates, and system leaders gathered in Albany for the New York State Child Welfare Summit. The summit created space for honest discussion about the conditions families raise their children in, how to narrow the front door to child welfare involvement, and how to better support young people while they are in- and exiting- the system.

Throughout the day, panelists emphasized the need to shift from the surveillance and punishment toward prevention, community-based supports, and family-centered solutions. The conversations reinforced what families have long said: strong policies start with lived experience.



Solutions Not Suspensions: Mass Call Recap & Next Steps

Thank you to everyone who joined the Solutions Not Suspensions (SNS) Mass Call earlier this month. With over 100 attendees, the call demonstrated growing statewide momentum to end the exclusionary disciplinary practice of suspensions across New York State schools. 

During the call we:

• Reviewed the current status of the SNS bill
• Discussed what to expect in the upcoming legislative session
• Outlined how advocates can help move the bill forward.

Take Action! Join The Fight!

Email your state representatives and urge them to support the Solutions Not Suspensions Bill. Personal stories and constituent voices are critical as we work to secure majority support in both houses.

Coalition Letter: Carve Behavioral Health Out of Medicaid Managed Care

As budget season approaches, we are continuing to advocate for the Medicaid Managed Care Behavioral Health Carve-Out, a critical reform to ensure youth and families receive timely, high-quality mental health and substance use services.

The FTNYS policy team are collecting stories from families and young people who are impacted by Medicaid managed care barriers.



We want to hear from you if:

• You are Medicaid-eligible, AND
• You or your child struggle to access mental health or substance use services, OR
• You have been delayed, denied, or bounced between providers, OR
• Managed care has created extra steps, stress, or hardship in receiving needed care.


Your experiences help us illustrate the human impact of this system and why change is urgently needed.



👉 If you are interested in speaking out or sharing your story confidentially, please contact kabdulaziz@ftnys.org


Reminder! Attention All Self-Learning Center Users:

The CTAC Self-Learning Center will be down from December 17th through January 12th for system updates. Learners cannot access training during this time. To facilitate the transfer, please complete any courses that are in progress by 12PM on December 17th.

Please note that these upgrades do not impact any webinars, toolkits, or other resources accessible via McSilverTA.org. 

Mindful Media: Cultivating a Positive Digital Footprint and Posting with Purpose



Youth Power Program Manager Camerin Rivera and Youth Peer Coordinator Precious Lugo hosted the training at the 2025 Best Practices and Workforce Development Training, hosted by the NYS Coalition for Children’s Behavioral Health alongside the NYS Office of Mental Health. The session engaged 16 providers and focused on equipping professionals with tools to use social media safely, responsibly, and with intention. Topics included protecting online privacy, addressing cyberbullying, promoting healthier digital habits that support youth and family mental health, and strengthening critical media literacy. The training also provided guidance and real tools on how to support youth through safe online engagement, setting professional boundaries, managing organizational digital presence, and using social media effectively for advocacy and outreach. 

For more information or to request this training, please contact Camerin Rivera at crivera@ftnys.org and Precious Lugo at plugo@ftnys.org. 

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