The 2023 Annual Conference
was an incredible success!
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Thanks to every attendee, presenter, advocate, and FTNYS staff member who made the event possible. Each session provided information and updates on all things family, youth, and peer support as it pertains to health and behavioral health service.
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What's Great in Our State 2023
A very special congrats to the Family/Caregiver Honoree, Long Island Regional Parent Advisor, Heather Tafuro, and the Youth/Young Adult Honoree, FTNYS Board Member, Isaiah Santiago.
Keep up the great work!
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May 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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Meet
TAYLOR GOHKLE
Families Together's
Newest Board Member
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Taylor Gohlke is the newest member of the FTNYS Board of Directors. She was recently voted in as a Youth Representative at our April meeting.
Taylor is a young person with lived experience who began working at Families First in August 2022. She started as a direct service provider doing psycho-social rehab. She quickly worked toward getting her peer credential and has been providing YPA services. In the short time that she has worked for Families First, she has gone above and beyond in finding ways of providing meaningful services to youth. She currently has an associate’s degree and is now working toward a bachelor’s degree so that she may become a care manager at Families First. Her co-workers report that she works every day with such enthusiasm, it is contagious! She is a natural leader and we believe she will make a great ambassador on the Board.
FUN FACT ABOUT TAYLOR.....
She is an avid rollerblader!
WELCOME TAYLOR!
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May is Mental Health & Foster Care Awareness Month! |
"Families Together joins the national movement to raise awareness about mental health and shine a spotlight on the critical need to support and uplift children in foster care. By emphasizing the importance of stable and loving homes, we foster understanding, empathy, and support for individuals navigating the complexities of mental health challenges, while encouraging communities to come together and make a positive difference in the lives of vulnerable families and youth."
-Paige Pierce, CEO
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FANS Technical Assistance Office Hours
Multiple Dates
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Problem Solving Workshop
May 31, 2023
10:00AM-1:15PM
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FANS Basic Training
June 5, 6, 7 & 1, 2023
10:00AM-12:30PM
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University of Youth Power
July 22-24, 2023
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The New York State Budget
The Governor and the Legislature reached a "conceptual agreement" on the NYS budget in late April. The Senate and Assembly passed the budget bills in early May after a drawn-out and long-delayed budget negotiation process. FTNYS rates the final product as a mixed bag in terms of our priorities and the needs of youth and families.
The full reports and analysis of the budget can be found below. Some highlights are...
- A 4% Cost of Living Adjustment for eligible human service programs. FTNYS holds firmly that this falls short of the minimum 8% needed and effectively acts as a cut due to inflation and other economic factors.
- OMH, in collaboration with OASAS, is to establish the ten-member Daniel’s Law Task Force.
- OMH is to establish a maternal mental health workgroup.
- The enacted budget did not raise financing for child welfare preventative services to 65%, the 62/38 percent state/county share remains.
- Funding to support the expansion of eligibility for the Child Care Assistance Program raising the income limit to the maximum allowed by federal law.
- $134 million in state support to incentivize qualifying low-income public and nonpublic schools to participate in the federal Community Eligibility Provision program, which allows all students in those schools to eat breakfast and lunch at no charge regardless of their family's income.
- $10,000,000 for student mental health support grants for schools
Although there are some historic wins and emphasis on mental health improvements in this budget, there are many improvements that must be made that boil down to improving the state of the service provider workforce and reducing waitlists for youth and families.
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Solutions Not Suspensions Hearings and Rallies
Several hearings were held on the Solutions Not Suspensions bill in the last month in both Albany and New York City. These hearings were held by the Senate Education Committee and included testimony from teachers, students, and other stakeholders.
Youth and families from all over New York made their voices heard during the NYS legislature hearings on this historic and crucial legislation. Rallies were also held before each hearing to show legislators how passionate advocates are about this bill and the need to pass it. FTNYS also submitted written testimony which you can find below. In addition, the full hearings are available on the NYS Senate YouTube channel which are also listed below.
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The May 3, 2023 hearing on examining school disciplinary practices, as it relates to the Solutions Not Suspensions Act, features testimony FTNYS Board Member, Isaiah Santiago.
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U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory on Social Connection |
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Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month |
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have contributed significantly to many facets of American culture and society, including science and medicine, literature and art, sports and recreation, government and politics, and activism and law. In 2021, Kamala Harris became the first Asian American Vice President of the United States. In film history, AAPI people, stories, and traditions have become more visible with South Korean director Bong Joon Ho’s Parasite winning the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2019 and the release of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings in 2021, debuting Marvel’s first Asian superhero.
AAPI people have a long history in the United States, despite the stereotype that they are “perpetual foreigners,” the idea that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are inherently foreign, other and not truly American. According to the Bering Land Bridge Theory, Asians first migrated to what is now known as North America over 15,000 years ago through a land bridge between Asia and North America.
Japanese and Koreans began immigrating to the United States by 1885 to replace Chinese labor in railroad construction, farming and fishing. However, in 1907, Japanese immigration was restricted by a “Gentlemen’s Agreement” between the United States and Japan. The civil rights movement assisted the liberalization of immigration laws. The 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act changed restrictive national origin quotas and allowed for the large numbers of Asians and Pacific Islanders to come to the United States with their families. In the mid-1970s, refugees from Southeast Asia like Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos came to the United States to flee war, violence, and hardship.
Today, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are the fastest growing racial group in the United States. AAPI Heritage Month celebrates the unique journey of all AAPI immigrants and citizens in the United States and their unique life experiences, traditions and cultures.
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Click each image to enlarge. |
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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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University of Youth Power Call for Professors Has Been Extended! |
Individuals are not limited to one proposal. We encourage you to consider proposals that address the specific needs of each major or provide advanced and beginner courses to fit the diverse needs of students. Proposals can also include creative and engaging activities for all students to participate in.
Submissions are due April 25th, 2023.
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UYP Scholarships are Open! Apply Now! |
Apply now for a chance to attend
UYP for FREE!
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Sponsor Youth & Exhibit at UYP |
Exhibit at UYP's Student Resource Fair
The resource fair is an opportunity to network and interact with UYP students and share your resources. The Resource Fair will take place on July 23rd at Siena College in Loudonville, NY
There is NO COST to table.
Exhibitors are encouraged to join UYP Graduation!
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Support Our Youth & Become a Sponsor!
Your sponsorship will underwrite the registration fee for youth to attend UYP, transportation, meals, boarding, activities, swag bags, and more. Your logo will also be on all materials and here on our webpage!
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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 aYouth 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
September 27 @ 9:30am - 10:30am
plus 4-day training:
September 28-29 & October 2-3
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:
September 14-15 & 18-19, 2023
12:00 PM to 4:00 PM each day
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Facilitating Support Groups for YPAs
Thursday, May 25, 2023
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
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Youth Peer Advocates are supporting youth and young adults in many areas of their lives through a variety of healing modalities, including one-on-one meetings and groups. One of the many ways organizations and clinics are utilizing youth peer support services is by hosting YPA facilitated support groups. Throughout this presentation we will review the role of a YPA facilitator and acknowledge the strengths and characteristics of youth peer support. We will also review essential communication skills for YPA facilitators, examine how to structure a support group, address how to foster youth engagement, and more!
The goal of this webinar is to offer YPAs the tools and skills that are needed in order to facilitate engaging and effective support groups for youth and young adults.
Presented by Robbie Lettieri, Director of Youth Training
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FANS Office Hours!
Technical Assistance and Learning Community
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Do you have questions about how to introduce the FANS?
Are there challenges engaging families in using the FANS tool?
Do you just have questions on how to create goals and plans using the FANS?
Is it time for Recertification?
Join Office Hours on the 2nd Wednesday of each month via Zoom!
June 14, 2023
July 12, 2023
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
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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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EMPOWERING FAMILIES. COORDINATING SYSTEMS.
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