MAY 2024

We are thrilled with the fantastic turnout at this year's event themed "Building Strong Roots for Success: Cultivating a Continuum of Care for Children, Youth & Families." Each session emphasized our commitment to a holistic approach to health and behavioral services, from empowering family peer support providers to advocating for community wellness. Thank you to all attendees, speakers, and supporters for making this conference memorable.

Please take a moment to share your insights on the 2024 Families Together Conference and any workshops you attended, as your feedback will shape our future events.

Provide Feedback

Attention: New York City Parents

Are you a dedicated parent or caregiver, passionate about improving the mental and behavioral well-being of young individuals?

We invite you to join the Family Advisory Board. As a member, you'll play a crucial role in shaping policies, programs, and services offered by the New York State Office of Mental Health specifically tailored to meet the needs of children, youth, and families in our city. Your voice is important, and together, we can make a significant impact on countless lives. Apply now and contribute to building a brighter future for our community.

Apply Here

Families Together is hiring!

Families Together in New York State (FTNYS), in partnership with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), is seeking to employ a FPAs across the state to assist OCFS in developing policies and procedures that promote the voice of parents throughout the child welfare system.

Learn more & apply

A Comprehensive Guide to Upcoming Events and Opportunities for Community Empowerment

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.

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University of Youth Power

July 13-15, 2024

Learn more & register

More information below.

Upcoming Events

FANS Basic Training

May 20, 21, 22 & 23, 2024

10:00AM-12:30PM

Learn more & register

FANS Technical Assistance Office Hours

Multiple Dates

Life rarely feels normal when your child struggles with emotional, behavioral, or mental illness. It can be lonely and discouraging, especially after years of disrupted schooling and limited in-person support.

Camp Get-A-Way offers a safe camp experience where families can be themselves, free from discrimination and stigma. Enjoy traditional camp activities like archery, swimming, fishing, and canoeing. Share laughter around the campfire, make crafts, and play games. Find hope through family resources and training, and build lasting friendships with others facing similar challenges.

Camp Get-A-Way Sessions are:

Summer I: August 18-21 at Camp Bristol Hills in Canandaigua
Summer II: September 27-29 at Camp Comstock in Ithaca
Fall I: October 4-7 at Dorothy P. Flint Camp in Riverhead

Learn more

2024 State Budget Overview!

This year's budget session lasted longer than anticipated with several extenders being passed as negotiations went beyond the April 1st deadline. We now finally have a look at what the final version will look like. Here are some highlights related to our policy priorities!

Big wins!

Commercial insurance rate parity for outpatient mental health that also ties commercial rates to Medicaid
2.84% COLA for human services.
$4M for loan forgiveness for child mental health practitioners
Extended telehealth rate parity for 2 more years
Additional investments in youth mental health, including expansion of school-based services

Some Disappointments, there is no...

Rate reform for youth mental health outpatient, Child and Family Treatment and Support Services, and Home and Community-Based Services (aside from 2.8% COLA)
Funding for the Housing Access Voucher Program
Expansion of the universal school meals program
Guaranteed income for parents of infants
Working Families Tax Credit, though it adds a temporary increase to state child tax credit
Added funding for childcare workforce stabilization fund or decoupling work hour requirements from

If you would like a full analysis of the budget, click the link below!

Carreau Consulting Budget Overview

FTNYS Joins our Allies in Urging Child Welfare Change

FTNYS joins our ally organizations in urging action on key evidence-based child-poverty proposals to boost family incomes, food security, child care access, and housing affordability fell by the wayside. Restoration of the state share of funding for child welfare Preventive Services to 65% was not included in the final budget and neither was funding to raise salaries and reduce caseloads for Attorneys for the Child. The child welfare housing subsidy is still unavailable to young people over age 21 and is missing a cost-of living-adjustment (COLA) that would raise the subsidy amount with housing prices. Additionally, a comprehensive rate increase for home and community-based youth mental health services was not included.

There is still time to take action on these policies in this session. Read the full letter below and utilize the social media toolkit to make your advocacy hear!

Read the Full Letter Here!

Use The Social Media Toolkit Here

Our Issues in the News

May is Mental Health Awareness Month & Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

The term "AAPI" (Asian American / Pacific Islander) encompasses a vast array of countries, ethnicities, nationalities, and identities, each with unique histories and challenges.

May is both Mental Health Awareness Month and Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, highlighting the importance of acknowledging and addressing the mental health challenges within AAPI communities. Recognizing the mental health struggles unique to AAPI individuals is crucial in fostering understanding and support during this month dedicated to both heritage and mental health awareness.

Several issues significantly impact the mental health:

Understanding and addressing these diverse and nuanced challenges is essential in supporting the mental health and well-being of AAPI communities. Recognizing the specific issues they face can help foster a more inclusive and empathetic society.

The Perpetual Foreigner Stereotype: The assumptions that Asian American and Pacific Islander’s are foreign-born or do not speak English can lead to feelings of isolation and being perceived as outsiders. Questions like "Where are you from?" or "How do you say _____ in your language?" perpetuate this stereotype.
Trauma: First-generation immigrants from conflict areas may carry trauma that affects their descendants. Those with long histories in the U.S. often face compounded trauma from ongoing racial discrimination.
Stigma: Asian Americans are the least likely racial group to seek mental health support, often relying on friends and family. However, not all have a robust support system and may struggle to express their challenges due to guilt, shame, or language barriers.
Expectations: Children of first-generation immigrants frequently bear the pressure of serving as cultural and linguistic intermediaries while managing their education and caregiving roles. Criticism of appearance and comparisons of success can exacerbate feelings of not being "enough."
Religious Intolerance: Religious minorities, such as Muslims and Sikhs, face discrimination and racial profiling. It's crucial to distinguish between Sikhism and Islam, yet both groups endure Islamophobia and assumptions of criminality based on their appearance.

Further information:

NYCAAMH improves Asian American mental health care through advocacy, community education, and professional development: https://www.nycaamh.org

The Role of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in Mental Health in the Workplace

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about mental health and encouraging open conversations. In the workplace, mental health is a crucial topic, with anxiety emerging as the number one presenting issue among American workers seeking mental health assistance.

Understanding Workplace Anxiety

Workplace anxiety can stem from various factors, including job performance pressures, interpersonal conflicts, and the ever-present demand for balancing work and personal life. Recognizing the signs of anxiety, such as constant worry, difficulty concentrating, and physical symptoms like increased heart rate, is the first step toward managing it.

DEI-Focused Mental Health Strategies

A supportive and inclusive workplace is essential for addressing mental health effectively. Workers from diverse backgrounds might experience anxiety differently due to unique stressors, such as discrimination, microaggressions, or cultural misunderstandings. Suggestions:

Cultural Competency Training: Employers should provide training at least twice a year to help staff understand and respect diverse cultural backgrounds, which can reduce anxiety related to discrimination or cultural insensitivity.
Inclusive Policies: Develop and implement policies that promote equity and inclusivity, ensuring that all employees feel safe and valued.
Support Groups/Affinity Spaces: Facilitate support groups for underrepresented employees, providing a safe space to share experiences and coping strategies.

Tips for Managing Workplace Anxiety

Take Breaks: Short, regular breaks can help reduce stress and improve focus.
Stay Organized: Prioritize tasks and set realistic goals to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Practice Mindfulness: Techniques like deep breathing and meditation can help calm anxiety.
Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to reach out to mental health professionals or use the resources mentioned above.

Final Thoughts

Addressing anxiety and mental health in the workplace is essential for creating a supportive and productive environment. By recognizing the signs and utilizing available resources, we can work towards better mental health for everyone. Embracing DEI principles in mental health initiatives ensures that support is inclusive, equitable, and effective for all employees.

New York State Resources for Workers

If you're a worker in New York State experiencing anxiety, several resources are available to help you manage your mental health:

New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH)
OMH Emotional Support Helpline: 1-844-863-9314
Provides free and confidential support, helping callers with anxiety, stress, and other emotional challenges.
NYS Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
EAP offers confidential assessments, short-term counseling, and referral services for New York State employees dealing with anxiety and other mental health issues.
For more information, visit NYS EAP.
Mental Health America of New York State (MHANYS)
MHANYS provides educational resources and advocacy to promote mental wellness in the workplace. They offer training programs and materials for both employees and employers to foster a supportive work environment.
Visit MHANYS

Join us for the "Amplifying Equity across the Peer Support Profession" summit on May 22-23, 2024, in Niagara Falls, NY. This affordable professional development event will gather organizations from New York and North America, featuring speakers with expertise and lived experience in Adult, Youth, Family, and Recovery Peer services. The summit will include discussions, workshops, and research focused on amplifying the voices of BIPOC Peers, aiming to transform systems and services through equity. The event will also address the intersectionality of cultures, identities, generations, communities, and geographic locations.

Learn more & Register

UYP is a youth-led peer leadership conference that provides Youth Peer Advocates and change agents the opportunity to build skills and expand their professional network.

Young people 18 to 30 years old

can major in the following:

• Peer Advocacy

• Systems Advocacy

• Recovery Advocacy

Learn more & register

SCHOLARSHIPS ARE LIVE!

We encourage the education and empowerment of young people with social, emotional, behavioral health, and cross-system challenges by offering scholarships to the University of Youth Power (UYP). Youth, young adults, and Youth Peer Advocates, ages 18-30, that exemplify leadership qualities are encouraged to apply for a scholarship.

If selected for a scholarship, you can attend UYP for FREE.

Apply Now!

Submit your presentation

Call for submissions close May 26, 2024.

Apply here

Your Input is Needed for the Youth 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

This guide highlights the prevalence of mental health issues among New Yorkers and nationwide, emphasizes the importance of prioritizing mental well-being, and provides a comprehensive list of crisis resources and hotlines for those in need.

View and share

Become a Credentialed Family Peer Advocate (FPA-C)!

Family Peer Advocates have ‘lived-experience’ as the parent (biological, foster, adoptive) or primary caregiver of a child/youth with a social, emotional, behavioral, mental health, or developmental disability). They receive training to develop skills and strategies to empower and support other families. They foster effective parent-professional partnership and promote the practice of family-driven and youth-guided approaches.

Family Peer Support Brochure

Learn More

Become a Credentialed Youth Peer Advocate (YPA-C)!

Youth Peer Advocates are individuals between 18-30 years of age who self-identify as a person with first-hand experience with a social, emotional, medical, developmental, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges as a young person or have received services in any one of the child-serving systems (juvenile justice, foster care, special education, or addiction recovery). YPAs use their lived experience to promote resiliency, recovery, wellness, and self-efficacy in young people and promote the practice of youth-guided and family-driven approaches.

Youth Peer Support Brochure

Learn More

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

Exploring Healing & Recovery Journeys

June 20, 2024 12:30pm – 2pm

Presented by: Meghann Simpson

Healing and recovery are unique for everyone, with many strategies and paths available. As YPAs, we must honor and support each youth's individual journey by understanding different stages, service options, and coping skills. This training will explore various healing methods from trauma and stress, covering coping strategies, recovery services, and stages of change. Participants will learn to effectively support a youth’s unique healing process.

About Meghann: Meghann Simpson is a dedicated leader focused on improving support services for youth and adults. Her own experiences with trauma and mental illness drive her passion for helping others. She has worked with diverse groups, including those with serious mental illness, re-entry felons, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and children with behavioral challenges. Co-founder of Now She Speaks, a nonprofit for those facing interpersonal violence, Meghann aims to inspire youth to believe they can lead happy, successful lives despite their challenges.

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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