Join families and young people across

New York State for a month of advocacy about topics and issues that are important to you!


We are hosting a series of townhalls throughout the month leading up to our rally and march in Albany on March 19.

Learn more & register

February

2024


'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:

www.ftnys.org

Are you a committed parent or caregiver deeply invested in improving the mental and behavioral well-being of young individuals through the mental/behavioral health support systems??


We invite you to apply and become a member of the Family Advisory Board. By becoming a member, you'll play a vital role in influencing the development of policies, programs, and services provided by the New York State Office of Mental Health, all designed to cater to the unique needs of children, youth, and families. Your voice matters, and together, we can make a significant impact on the lives of countless individuals. Apply now and help shape a brighter future for our community.

Apply Here

A Comprehensive Guide to Upcoming Events and Opportunities for Community Empowerment, Youth Justice, and Mental Health Advocacy


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

Learn more
Upcoming Events

Developmental Disabilities Townhall

March 7, 2024

At 1:00PM

View the entire townhall schedule below!

FANS Basic Training

March 18, 19, 20 & 21, 2024

10:00AM-12:30PM

Learn more & register
Family Empowerment Day
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Learn more & register

Annual Conference

Sunday, May 5 & Monday, May 6, 2024

Learn more & register

FANS Technical Assistance Office Hours

Multiple Dates

Learn more

Follow us on our Social Media Channels!


Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

LinkedIn

YouTube

Family and Youth Scholarships are now available for the 2024 Annual Conference!


Families Together in New York State encourages the empowerment of parents, children, and youth with social, emotional, behavioral health, and cross-system challenges by offering scholarships to the Annual Conference. Family members and youth exemplifying qualities as leaders and advocates in their communities are encouraged to apply.

Apply now!

What's Great In Our State

Save the date and join us on May 7, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM for What's Great In Our State, an in-person event that acknowledges the efforts of programs, organizations, teachers, caregivers, and young individuals across New York State who positively impact the social-emotional health and overall well-being of children.



Registration TBD.

Register TODAY for Family Empowerment Day!

We are about one month away from Family Empowerment Day! Register TODAY to make your voice heard! The event is FREE and transportation and food will be provided to all who register.

Register Here!

State Budget Breakdown!

The state budget session is well underway! Our Public Policy Director, Brad Hansen, and team lobbyist, Karin Carreu, summarized what is in Governor Hochul's state budget proposal. You can find that video above.


We have also released our Policy Priorities for this year. We hope to get as much of this in the final budget as possible in order to best serve the youth and families of New York State.

View Our Policy Priorities Here

Full Family Empowerment Townhall Schedule Now Available!


The full schedule for the town halls is now open! Register today!

Developmental Disabilities Townhall

Featuring Assemblywoman Rebecca A. Seawright, and OPWDD Commissioner Kerri E. Neifeld

Thursday, March 7, 2024 at 1:00 P.M.


Mental Health Townhall

Featuring Assemblywoman Aileen M. Gunther, Senator Samra Brouk, and OMH Commissioner Ann Marie T Sullivan.

Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at 10:00 A.M.


Youth Justice Townhall

Featuring Senator Jamaal T. Bailey, and DCJS Commissioner Rossana Rosado

Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at 3:00 P.M.


Addiction & Recovery Townhall

Featuring Assemblyman Phil Steck, Senator Nathalia Fernandez, and OASAS Commissioner Chinazo Cunningham

Monday, March 4th, 2024 at 12:00 P.M.


Child Welfare Townhall

Featuring Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi and OCFS Commissioner Suzanne Miles-Gustave

Monday, March 11th, 2024 at 1:00 P.M.


Education Townhall

Featuring Senator Shelley Mayer, and DOE Commissioner Betty Rosa

Monday, February 26, 2024 at 5:00 P.M.

Click Here for Townhall Registration!

Zoom links for each townhall are available on the FEM 2024 Webpage.

Joint Legislative Public Hearing on Mental Hygiene

On February 14th, the NYS Legislature help a Joint Legislative Public Hearing on the 2024 Executive Budget Proposal on Mental Hygiene.


Our CEO, Paige Pierce, spoke on on panel 3. She addressed the critical need for increased investment in children's behavioral health, emphasized reforms and funding to meet the growing demand and improve the existing system.

Click Here to read the full testimoney

Our Issues in the News

The Intersection of Black History Month and Mental Health Awareness 

 

Black History Month offers a critical lens to examine the intersection of race, history, and mental health, fostering awareness, advocacy, and empowerment within the Black community and beyond. 

Points to Consider: 

 

Historical Trauma: Black History Month is a time to reflect on the history of African Americans, including the trauma of slavery, systemic racism, and discrimination. These historical injustices have had long-lasting effects on the mental health of Black individuals and communities. Acknowledging this history is crucial for understanding the present-day mental health challenges faced by many African Americans. 

 

Stigma and Barriers to Care: Mental health stigma remains a significant issue within the Black community, often stemming from cultural norms, historical distrust of medical institutions, and systemic inequalities in access to care. Black History Month provides an opportunity to address and challenge these stigmas, encouraging open conversations about mental health and the importance of seeking help when needed. 

 

Intersectional Identities: Black individuals often navigate multiple intersecting identities, such as race, gender, sexuality, and socioeconomic status, which can impact their mental health experiences. Black History Month offers a platform to discuss how these intersecting identities shape mental health outcomes and access to resources, highlighting the need for culturally competent and intersectional approaches to mental health care. 

 

Celebrating Resilience and Strength: Black History Month celebrates African Americans' resilience, strength, and achievements throughout history. Recognizing and honoring this resilience can also promote mental well being by providing positive representations and narratives that counter stereotypes and empower individuals within the Black community. 

 

Advocacy and Policy Reform: Black History Month is a call to action for addressing systemic inequalities and injustices, including those within the mental health care system. It provides an opportunity to advocate for policy reforms that promote equitable access to mental health services, culturally responsive care, and initiatives to address social determinants of mental health within Black communities. 

Highlighting the unique issues facing African Americans

Click to enlarge.

Black History and Systemic Disparities: A Bitter-Sweet Celebration

 Author: Kesi Songbo 


Explore the complex intersection of Black History and ongoing systemic disparities in this insightful article by Kesi Songbo. Delve into the bitter-sweet celebration of Black accomplishments, the enduring impacts of racial trauma, and the ongoing fight for mental health equity. Discover a call to action for cultural humility training, diverse services, and inclusive platforms to empower the Black community and drive positive change in mental health care.

Read more
Apply here

Help Shape UYP 2024!


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

UYP 2024 Steering Committee Form

Thank you for your interest in the UYP Steering Committee!


In these meetings we will discuss all things UYP! We want to hear your feedback and your ideas! What you would like to see more of, less of, and everything in between!

Your Input is Needed for the Power 2024 Priority Agenda


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

Provide Input

Youth Peers Meetings Are Here for You


Click to enlarge.

Feb-Aug 2024 registration
Learn More & Register Here

Interested in education systems advocacy? You are in luck! Youth Power and FTNYS are supporting the upcoming statewide event, "NYS Community Schools Resilience & Equity Conference 2024", as part of the, "2024 Empower Youth Success Conference", both of which are taking place this April in Troy, NY. For the first time in conference history, they are holding a youth-guided and youth friendly event on April 17th (Conference Day 1)!


This conference welcomes all school aged youth, young adults, and peer advocates to attend and support the inclusion of youth lived experiences in systems advocacy. What better way to amplify youth voice and choice than to engage in spaces where folks are eager to listen and take action!


For further information or questions about the conference and specific youth event, please contact:

Kristin Rivera, krivera@ftnys.org.


Nothing about us without us!"

Native American Community Services 

Program Offerings through the 

Stages of Life Empowerment (SOLE) Program 

Join Native American Community Services (NACS) in Erie and Niagara Counties for their Stages of Life Empowerment (SOLE) Program. This program offers free programs for youth, by youth, including peer education and transportation to clinic visits. Families and community members can also benefit from free programs, with adult workshops available upon request. Partnering with schools and community organizations, NACS aims to ensure that youth have access to the services and support needed to make healthy life choices. Workshops can be scheduled by appointment and are available in-person or virtually, either in a 1-1 setting or group setting. Don't miss out on this opportunity to empower our community and promote positive health outcomes for our youth! 

Lean more

Upcoming Professional Credential Trainings

YPA Level 2, 4-Day Virtual Training:

March 21, 22 and

March 25, 26

12:00 PM to 4:00 PM each day *plus Orientation and Coaching Calls


Visit the YPA Training page for registration requirements and more 2024 training dates!

Conversations Around Integrated Care

Join MCTAC, the Center for Practice Innovations (CPI), New York City's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH), New York State's Office of Mental Health (NYS OMH) and Office of Addiction Services and Supports (NYS OASAS) in the third part of our series, Making the Connection: Conversations Around Integrated Care, where we explore strategies and approaches to integrating mental health and substance use treatment. Each interactive session will address and highlight key integration topic areas and will be followed by a case study discussion.

REGISTER

Supervision Summit

2-Day Free Virtual Supervision Summit March 15 & 22

9:00 PM to 4:00 PM


The Peer Support Services Technical Assistance Center (PeerTAC) is excited to offer a Virtual Summit for Supervisors of Peer Support Services. Join us to learn more about organizational development, tools, and strategies for the successful supervision of Peer Support Specialists/Advocates across the lifespan. This Summit is intended for organizational leaders, program managers, supervisors, and peer team leaders in behavioral health programs from across the state. Gain wisdom from accomplished leaders in the peer support supervisor community, practicing supervision competencies grounded in mutual peer support values, and having frank supervisor-to-supervisor discussions focused on effective supervision of the peer support workforce.


Registration Coming Soon!

Learn more & register

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!

YPA Credential Verification tool
FPA 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.

Learn More
Learn more
Are you a parent interested in engaging in more meaningful family activities? Participate in our paid research study!

Join Engaging Parents; Increasing Connection with Children [EPICC], a Temple University program aimed at helping parents with serious mental illness connect more meaningfully with their children. If you're 18 or older, have a diagnosis of schizophrenia-spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder, or depression, and desire more meaningful family activities, you're invited! Participate in 3 research interviews and receive a $20 gift card per interview. Plus, access an online support program.
EMPOWERING FAMILIES. COORDINATING SYSTEMS.
737 Madison Avenue
Albany, NY 12208

Office Phone: 518.432.0333

Information Email: info@ftnys.org
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