July 2023
'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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July is Minority Mental Health Awareness& Disability Pride Month |
In July, we celebrate both Minority Mental Health Awareness Month and Disability Pride Month, recognizing the significance of promoting mental health and disability awareness in marginalized communities. By honoring these observances, we foster empathy, understanding, and inclusivity, as we strive to dismantle stigma and advocate for equitable access to resources and support for all individuals, regardless of their background or abilities. Let us stand together to create a more compassionate and supportive society for everyone.
Learn more in the DEI section!
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FANS Technical Assistance Office Hours
Multiple Dates
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Families Together Focus Group
July 29, 2023
11:00AM-2:00PM
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FANS Basic Training
August 14, 15, 16 & 27, 2023
10:00AM-12:30PM
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It's time to #RethinkRegents Exams |
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Families Together in NYS has been a long-time participant in the Coalition for Multiple Pathways to a Diploma. Exit exams do not enhance student learning and often serve as a barrier for graduation.
There are two actions you can take right now to help the evolution of the New York State education system away from regents exams.
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Tell the Blue Ribbon Commission to Rethink Regents:
The Graduation Measures Blue Ribbon Commission is meeting next week in Albany to develop recommendations. Please take a few minutes this week to reach out to the Blue Ribbon Commission to urge them to recommend decoupling Regents exams from graduation requirements. Linked here is the coalition's latest research brief. and the contact information for the members of the Blue Ribbon Commission. Make your voice heard!
2. Amplify the need to Rethink Regents on social media:
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Behavioral Health Provider Survey |
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Do you work for a behavioral health provider?
Have you been experiencing vacancies and turnover at your workplace?
We want to hear from you!
Together with other statewide organizations representing adult and children mental health and substance use disorder providers, we are asking your organization’s CEO to complete a brief survey below to assist us in gathering needed data to support our joint advocacy efforts. As we collectively prepare for the SFY 2024-25 budget session, the importance of workforce data is critical to our advocacy efforts needed to sustain our operations, services, and programs.
The information collected will only be used in the aggregate, and no individual providers will be identified. We are collecting organization names solely for internal purposes.
Please note: You may receive this link from multiple associations/coalitions; please have your organization complete it only once.
DEADLINE AUGUST 1st
Questions? Email negrimanagementllc@gmail.com
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Commentary: A missed opportunity to battle racial injustice in schools
A lot happened with the Solutions not Suspensions bill towards the end of the last legislative session. As a review, this is a bill that FTNYS enthusiastically supports which would address inequity in school disciplinary practices.
Johanna Miller, Director of the NYCLU's Education Policy Center, wrote a fantastic opinion piece for the Times Union that summarizes the events that occurred with the legislators and the law. You can read the full article below, but here is a summary and some highlights.
"Legislators watered down, then abandoned bills that would have made the curriculum more inclusive and curbed the use of suspensions," writes Miller. The bill, after being in legislative limbo for eight years, was changed last minute to replace "mandates with voluntary options."
The Solutions not Suspensions Coalition, of which FTNYS is a part, is disappointed in the direction this legislation took. The changes made take away the ability of the law to enforce anti-racist and disability-positive components that reduce learning loss and system involvement. We stand with advocates and hope that the bill, in its original intended form, can be passed in the near future.
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New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy Unveils Playbook For Governors To Address Nation’s Youth Mental Health Crisis |
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Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey has released "Strengthening Youth Mental Health: A Governor’s Playbook.” As the director of the National Governors Association, Murphy seeks to capture the current focus on youth mental health and guide the nation in a direction to address the behavioral health crisis facing young Americans. This is also in conjunction with Govenor Hochul, who has been focusing on youth mental health through the NYS speaking tours and first annual summit.
To create the Playbook, Governor Murphy brought together 500 stakeholders — including youth, Governors, and other experts — at four convenings across the country to discuss the current state of youth mental health systems, best practices, and implementable, impactful solutions for all states.
The full summation is linked below, but the playbook is guided by "4 pillars."
- Addressing prevention and building resilience by supporting youth with the necessary tools to respond to stressors and challenges, reducing the risk of mental health conditions, and proactively identifying and managing existing conditions to prevent crises.
- Increasing awareness and reducing stigma by promoting awareness of mental health knowledge and resources, and decreasing the social, self, and structural stigma around youth mental health challenges.
- Ensuring access and affordability of quality treatment and care by removing the barriers to care, including unaffordable costs, lack of insurance coverage, and a depleted workforce to ensure that high-quality, trauma-informed, and culturally relevant care is accessible to youth in appropriate places, spaces, and timeframes to meet their needs.
- Training and supporting caregivers and educators by expanding training and supports so that those caring for and interacting with youth daily have the understanding and tools to identify mental health needs to access relevant supports.
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National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month is of paramount importance as it shines a spotlight on the unique challenges faced by marginalized communities, fosters understanding, and promotes equitable access to mental health resources, ultimately striving to create a more inclusive and compassionate environment for mental well-being in all communities.
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In recognition of Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, a series of Symposiums will be held in July (Syracuse on July 21st, and Binghamton on July 26). These events aim to address Mental Health in Communities of Color, discussing diverse needs for children and families and developing strategies to improve care. Experts, faith leaders, parents, youth, and community stakeholders will tackle various topics, including stigma, bias, violence, suicide, and the need for more black mental health professionals. |
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Reach out to the
DEI Department
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Kim D. Kaiser
Simcha Weinstien
Justice Walcott
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NYS has Launched a New Youth Mental Health Listening Tour!
Tackling the youth mental health crisis starts with listening to what our young people have to say about the challenges they’re facing. That’s why NYS has launched a Youth Mental Health Listening Tour.
Listen to Kay-Danielle tell her courageous story to Governer Kathy Hochul.
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VOYA (Voices of Youth Advisors) is the youth advisory council of Rensselaer County. As a part of VOYA, you become a part of the Youth Power network, the New York State network of young people who have been labeled and who are seeking change.
Who can join?
- Any young person that wants a chance to make a difference
- Young people between the ages of 14 and 28 who live in Rensselaer County
- Have experience(d) in foster care or have received mental health, juvenile justice, substance abuse, and disability and/or special education services or identifies with an at-risk community in Rensselaer County
- Any young person who wants to get $25 for attending county committee meetings
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Youth Peer Meetings Are Here for You |
Join Our Peer Supervisors Meetings |
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FPA Level 2, 4-Day Virtual Training:
1-hour orientation
November 27 @ 9:30am - 10:30am
plus 4-day training:
November 30 & December 1, 4-5
9:30 AM to 3:00 PM each day
A few spots remain!
Email FPACredential@ftnys.org to register today!
YPA Level 2, 4-Day Virtual Training:
November 16-17 & 20-21, 2023
12:00 PM to 4:00 PM each day
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Invitation for MHOTRS Regional Events: Registration Now Open |
Attention CEOs and/or Program Directors of Family-Run Organizations:
The Managed Care Technical Assistance Center (MCTAC) and Peer Support Services Technical Assistance Center (PeerTAC) are pleased to announce upcoming in-person, regional gatherings for New York State Mental Health Outpatient Treatment and Rehabilitative Services (MHOTRS) Programs.
Participants will have an opportunity to connect with fellow MHOTRS providers as well the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH).
These events will be interactive and attendees should come prepared to actively engage and share their experiences. Discussions will focus on the implementation of Part 599 regulation changes, peer support services, off-site services, and if available, updated programmatic guidance.
July 26 - NYC, NYU
Aug. 2 - Long Island Region, Melville
Aug 8 - Hudson River Region, Albany
Aug 15 - Central Region, Syracuse
Aug 23 - Western Region, Buffalo
Click the "Register" link below and select the preferred training from the Training & Events Calendar.
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Credential Verification Tool for Youth and Family Peer Advocates |
Do you know your 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!
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The New York State Office of Mental Health is excited to share the newest educational resource about 988 in New York. The Just the Facts infographic includes several key facts about 988, such as details on who answers 988 calls and how 988 differs from 911.
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Grant Opportunity
Intensive and Sustained Engagement Teams (INSET) are believed to be effective in reaching, engaging and helping people who are experiencing difficulty engaging in care and/or experiencing difficulty accessing care which is equitable, trauma-informed and supportive.
The New York State Office of Mental Health announces the availability of funds for an experienced program administrator, agency or community-based organization to implement Intensive and Sustained Engagement Teams (INSET) in four locations throughout New York State.
A total of four awards will be made in the amount of $800,000.00 per year, per program, for each of five years. Of the $800,000.00 total per program, $600,000.00 will be allocated from the General Fund and $200,000.00 will be provided from the federal Community Mental Health Block Grant.
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Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood |
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EMPOWERING FAMILIES. COORDINATING SYSTEMS.
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