July, 2022
'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:
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The 8th annual University of Youth Power event was a wild success!
"I like the space for open minded youth and older youth (RAs). Coming together to share ideas and inspire each other." - UYP Student
"Being able to meet new people who were interested in the same things I am, and who have more information of what I'm trying to learn about." - UYP Student
The theme was “It Starts with Us: Facing The Future Together”. This event reached approximately 80 youth and young adults across NYS ranging from ages 14-30. Workshops included topics such as: Harm Reduction, Youth Engagement, Financial Literacy, Tactics on Bridging the Racial Divide and much more ! Our youthful attendees got to the opportunity to sleep in a dormitory at the College at St. Rose, located in Albany, NY, they dined with friends at the dining hall, and attended classes daily with peers. What’s more exciting is our evening activities, Karaoke Pajama Party, Game Night, Road Recovery Trax Program Panel & Musical Performance, and Cap decorating which all helped turn strangers into friends and build new partnerships! Students received prizes and learned information about resources at our resource fair. We had amazing programs table which included: Noteworthy Resources Albany, Developmental Disabilities Planning Committee , FOR-NY; Youth Voices Matter, ROC The Future, Albany Medical Center, Specialized Care Center for Adolescents & Young Adults (SCCAYA), etc. No college experience is complete without having a graduation. Following our inspirational Leaders’ Lunch, which 12 state leaders from varies state agencies ate and spoke with attendees about their hopes for the future of the youth peer movement within their agencies. We hope all of our attendees learned something new and information to share within their communities.
Huge Shout Out to our Sponsors who made this all possible!
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To view more photos from the event, click here
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July is Minority Mental Health & Disability Awareness Month! |
To learn about trailblazers in the field and become an ally, check out the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion section below! |
FANS Technical Assistance Office Hours
Multiple Dates
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Artivism: Creative
& Empowered
For Change
July 23rd, 2022
2:00-5:00 PM
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The Invitation to Change Approach
July 27, 2022
10:00AM-2:00PM
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FANS Basic Training
August 8, 9, 10 & 11, 2022
10:00AM-12:00PM
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Children's & Youth Behavioral
Health Symposium
Thursday, October 6th, 2022
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More information coming soon |
Meet your Regional Parent Advisors and Youth Partners! |
The primary role of each Regional Parent Advisor and Youth Partner is to build a relationship with all of the family and youth support services within their region. Parent Advisors and Youth Partners provide a forum for local family and youth support services to network with one another. They serve as liaisons, facilitating communication between the New York State Office of Mental Health and the families in the community. |
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Register for the Raise the Lower Age Focus Groups Today!
Groups to be held July 18th-31st
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The NYS Legislature passed a bill last year that ends the arrest and prosecution of children, as young as 7, as juvenile delinquents for almost all offenses. Furthermore, the bill aims to create an alternative response with community-based supports to keep our children out of the justice system.
The NYS Office of Children and Family Services is seeking to assemble focus groups made of experienced youth and families to gain their input on the needs, gaps, and successes as families are assessed for services, referred to services, and how progress/success is measured and communicated. Sign up today to ensure OCFS implements this legislation with youth and family voice!
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Resources for families affected by COVID-19; Prioritizing mental and physical health while staying home.
Families Together is here to help.
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2021 FTNYS Digital Advocacy Center
Stay up-to-date with all our advocacy efforts and use emails, social media, and phone calls. We might have to stay home, but our advocacy doesn't have to.
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July is BiPOC (Black Indigenous & Persons of Color) Mental Health Month. For families and youth impacted by mental health, the need for equitable inroads to treatment and support is crucial. Within BiPOC communities, racism, stigma, and quality of services continue to be barriers to obtaining help. Take action to support and raise awareness about mental health with BiPOC communities and be an ally in elevating awareness and combating systemic issues.
You can start with these resources:
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July is Disability Awareness/ Pride Month. Youth with disabilities are at higher risk for experiencing lower levels of social-emotional well-being than their peers without disabilities. Families, friends, and providers often think about these challenges and often forget that we have the power to be change-makers, and allies that promote and nurture social-emotional wellness! Here are some proactive measures to foster an abundance of growth in our young people!
- Teach Social and Emotional Skills such as promoting choice, checking in on their day, and acknowledging their emotions.
- Link young people within their natural environment
- Create Multidisciplinary Natural Supports that feed their interests: Physical activity, Music or Art Lessons, Clubs, and support groups
- Advocate for Necessary Resources through school and disability-serving organizations
Check out these links for more info:
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The Healthfirst Health & Wellness Expo and Town Hall Breakfast is a major family fun day in the Claremont. The expo makes health approachable, encourages residents to assume more ownership of their health situation, addresses health disparities, and makes families aware of Healthfirst’s health coverage.
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Seeking Feedback from Family Members of Children Receiving Services from any System
The NYS Office of Mental Health, along with other state partners, families, youth, and advocacy organizations, is developing a family toolkit to provide easy to understand information on where to go when children are experiencing challenges and hints on how to decide what type of services might be most needed and appropriate to meet families’ needs. A particular focus will be for those children and youth that need services to address both mental health and developmental disabilities needs.
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'Reflections on Foster Care Awareness Month' from Mariama Toe-Freeland, NYC Regional Youth Partner
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AVAILABLE POSITION:
Western Region Youth Partner
APPLICATION PROCESS: Applicants must send a resume with a formal cover letter, outlining their lived experience as a youth as described in the qualifications below, to employment@ftnys.org in order to be considered.
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Join the Youth Power Advisory Council |
Youth Peer Meetings Are Here for You! |
Join Our Peer Supervisors Meetings |
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A Conversation about Meeting the Needs of Frontline Workers: Addressing the Great Resignation |
The Great Resignation among frontline workers represents a public mental health crisis for children, youth and adults and requires concerted efforts to address. This Mental Health Moment will focus on the Great Resignation among frontline workers. Featured speaker, Glenn Liebman of the Mental Health Association of New York State (MHANYS), has been working to collect data to understand the factors contributing to the Great Resignation. He will share this information and will provide recommendations for supporting frontline workers. |
Reframing Language: Why Changing Our Thinking, Our Actions, and Our Language Matters |
"Reframing Language" - created in partnership with the National Family Support Technical Assistance Center - was designed to inspire new thinking and change the way we talk about mental health and substance use to help us better support individuals and families who are affected by these challenges. View the full infographic below. |
The Asian Americans with Disabilities Resource Guide |
The Asian Americans with Disabilities Resource Guide was created to combat ableism within the disabled Asian American community through first person testimonials, comprehensive peer-reviewed research, and briefs from AADI events. |
Calling the lifeline will provide a direct connection to accessible care and support for anyone experiencing a mental health or substance abuse-related crisis. Additionally, a chat feature will also be available through the website 988lifeline.org.
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Important Changes Are Coming to New York Medicaid, Child Health Plus and the Essential Plan
Do you or a family member currently have health insurance through New York State Medicaid, Child Health Plus or the Essential Plan? When the COVID-19 public health emergency ends, New York State will resume eligibility reviews and renewals for people enrolled in these programs. This means you may need to take action to renew your health insurance or the
insurance of your family members. Here are some things you can do now to get ready.
1) Sign up for text alerts. Sign up to receive SMS/MMS Text alerts from NY State of Health so you don't miss important health insurance updates, including when it's time to renew your
coverage. To subscribe, text START to 1-866-988-0327.
2) Make sure your address is up to date. Make sure NY State of Health or your local Medicaid
office has your current mailing address, phone number and email address so they can contact you about your health insurance.
If you have insurance through with NY State of Health, call 1-855-355-5777 (TTY: 1-800-662-
If you have Medicaid through your county’s Medicaid office or through New York City’s Human
Resources Administration (HRA), contact your local office to update your address and contact
information
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New York’s FREE and confidential COVID-19 Emotional Support Helpline
1-844-863-9314
8:00am – 10:00pm / 7 Days per week
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Mobilize Recovery Across America
National Bus Tour
September 5-18, 2022
Launching from Las Vegas during Labor Day weekend 2022, Mobilize Recovery Across America will depart on a west to east cross-country bus tour — highlighting the recovery experience that is so unique in different regions throughout America. The 14-day tour will travel 3,000 miles from the west coast — across the heartland — landing in New York City on September 18th.
End overdose. End addiction.
Inspire solutions for recovery.
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EMPOWERING FAMILIES. COORDINATING SYSTEMS.
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