LIFTing Up the Champions for Long Island Families!

What a great success at the 20th Annual Legislative Breakfast! Community members and legislators came together to address challenges and share solutions for improving children’s mental health services on Long Island and beyond.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in supporting families and youth!

Families Together in New York State (FTNYS) is seeking passionate individuals with lived experience for several positions across specific locations.

Family Policy Advisor – Help develop child welfare policies (Long Island, NYC).
Apply for Long Island Position
Apply for NYC Position
Family Peer Engagement Advocate – Bring your firsthand Child Welfare experience to Erie County.
Apply for Erie County Position (Per diem)

Each of these roles requires candidates to be based in the specific listed locations.

Learn more & apply

Seeking New York City Parents

Apply Now

2024 Voter Information

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Upcoming Events

Equity Empowered Training Series

Oct. 29 & Nov. 19, 2024

FPAs The Power of Gratitude

Nov. 15, 2024 12:30-2:00 PM

FANS Basic Training

Nov.13 & 14 10AM - 3:30PM

Learn More

Systems Advocacy 101

November 14, 12 or 6:30 PM

12 PM Registration

6:30 PM Registration

Learn more & register below.

Family Empowerment Day

March 3, 2025

Registration coming soon.

FANS Technical Assistance Office Hours

Multiple Dates

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!

FPA Credential Verification tool

YPA 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

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)!

A Youth Peer Advocate is an individual between 18-30 years of age who has self-identified as a person who has first-hand experience with emotional (mental health), behavioral challenges, and/or co-occurring disorders as a young person or has received services in any one of the child-serving systems (juvenile justice, special education, substance use disorder, or foster care). YPAs use their lived experience to assist in supporting youth in their resiliency/recovery and wellness.

Youth Peer Support Brochure

Learn More

DEI at Families Together in NYS: Out and About

DEI Director, Kim Kaiser, participated in a panel discussion at the October 10th World Mental Health Day Symposium held at the University of Albany.

The panel focused on how social media is impacting the mental health of diverse communities, highlighting both its benefits and challenges. The event was organized by BIPOC PEEEEK, an international movement founded by Sara I. Taylor. BIPOC PEEEEK is led by BIPOC parents and caregivers working together to amplify their voices, educate each other, and address disparities in mental health services for children. Their mission is to connect families with the right support and advocate for systemic change.

A Workshop Series on Culture, Identity, and Mental Health

We are excited to offer a series of empowering workshops designed to support and uplift families by focusing on key aspects of culture, identity, and mental health. Join us on October 29th, for our "Shattering the Stigma" session that will provide strategies to reduce stigma around mental health and autism. Finally, on November 19th, learn how to engage and integrate family voices through highly participatory processes. Don't miss these opportunities to deepen your understanding and enhance your ability to support families. Register today and be part of the change!

For any questions, please contact YWynter@ftnys.org. Continuing education credits are available!

Mental health in Indigenous communities is a vital and evolving conversation that underscores the remarkable resilience and strength these communities embody. As they navigate the complexities of mental health challenges, Indigenous leaders and initiatives are emerging as beacons of hope, showcasing the power of community support and collaboration. By respecting cultural nuances and promoting tailored resources, we can work together to create an inclusive environment where every voice is heard, and every story matters. This journey towards mental well-being is not just about individual healing; it's about families and communities uniting to advocate for systemic change and equity. Together, we can inspire a brighter future where mental health is prioritized, and every member of the community feels supported and empowered.

DEI Coordinator, Simcha Weinstein Mentors at NYS Advocacy Institute

On September 18-19, 2024, Simcha Weinstein, DEI Coordinator at Families Together in NYS, served as a table mentor at the NYS Advocacy Institute in Albany. The event, organized by the New York State Council on Developmental Disabilities, The Arc New York, and the New York Alliance for Inclusion & Innovation, focused on empowering advocates to share their stories and drive change for individuals with developmental disabilities. Simcha played an active role in guiding participants, helping them develop advocacy skills and promoting inclusion across communities.

Youth Input is Needed!

Share your insights and the issues you are passionate about!

Provide Input

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM)

October serves as a crucial time to raise awareness about domestic violence, support survivors, and promote prevention efforts. It’s an opportunity for communities to come together, engage in conversations, and advocate for safety and well-being for all. Let’s use this month to reflect on fostering healthy relationships and breaking cycles of abuse. Join the movement and explore ways to make a meaningful impact.

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Youth Peers Meetings Are Here for You

YPM is a statewide meeting intended for Youth Peer Advocates, Certified Recovery Peer Advocates (CRPA), youth leaders, and others in similar peer-based roles, such as peer mentors, that work with youth. We meet monthly for an open discussion surrounding best practices, challenges, and strategies in peer advocacy. These meetings provide a platform to share experiences, gain insights, and collaborate on innovative approaches to support youth. Topics include effective communication, mental health resources, substance abuse recovery, and community engagement. By fostering a supportive network, YPM aims to empower peers to enhance their skills and impact in their roles.

Nov-Dec 2024 Registration

Youth Mental Health Advisory Board

Youth Highlight:

Blake Rabinowitz

In honor of World Mental Health Day, Blake Rabinowitz from Hills East took the initiative to support her peers' well-being. She designed flyers to raise awareness of mental health resources available both within and outside the school. Additionally, Blake created anonymous slips for students to share commonly experienced emotions, which she tallied on a poster. This effort not only highlighted shared feelings but also helped remind students that they are not alone in their experiences.

Save the Date!

Join family members, advocates, state leaders and youth as we network and discuss issues that impact children and families.

Learn about important policy issues and get involved!
Engage with legislators and government officials.
Hear powerful speakers and awardees.
Network with other families and young people with lived experience.
Discover how you can make a difference in your community.
Food Will Be Served.
FREE transportation with plenty of stops.

12:00 PM Registration

6:30 PM Registration

Healthy Minds Healthy Kids Updates!

The Healthy Minds Healthy Kids campaign recently held a virtual speakout. Youth and families from across the state shared their stories of how mental health inadequacy affect them. Above is the recording!

HMHK also sent a letter to the governor's office requesting a $195 million Medicaid rate investment in the 2026 Executive Budget to stabilize and expand New York’s children’s community-based outpatient behavioral health services. We acknowledging the Administration’s efforts in behavioral health reform, but also wish to highlight the need for additional investment to prevent further strain on the system, reduce waitlists, and ultimately improve care for 26,000 children. We also seek a multi-year commitment of $800 million to address the long-term unmet needs, ensuring that workforce shortages and capacity issues are addressed statewide.

Read the Full Letter Here!

Our Issues in the News:

Do you have a waitlist story? We want to hear from you!

As part of the Healthy Minds Healthy Kids Campaign, we are seeking family and youth who have experience with waitlists in the mental health system. We are hoping to gather these stories in order to demonstrate the effect that waitlists are having on our communities.

Have you had to wait more than 24 hours to receive mental health services? Did you need to travel more than a few hours in order to access care? We want to hear from you and make your voice heard!

Click Here to Take the Survey!

LIFT Legislative Breakfast a Huge Success!

The LIFT Legislative Breakfast was a powerful and emotional event. The focus on children’s mental health and the personal stories shared by families and legislators highlight the urgent need for systemic changes.

The push for more school-based clinics and the inclusion of youth and family peers in schools is a significant step towards providing accessible mental health support. The expansion of the Dash clinic with its “living room settings” and personalized transition plans also seems promising.

The stories shared by the families are heartbreaking and underscore the critical gaps in the current mental health system. The call for better consideration of family input during diagnoses and the need for active case managers who go beyond just reporting refusals of services are crucial points. The proposed bill for re-evaluating individuals with mental health disorders and considering their positive behavior for lower levels of service or release to facilities near their homes is a thoughtful approach to ensuring they receive the support they need.

FTNYS Delivers Testimony During Assembly Hearing

Families Together in New York State (FTNYS) testified at the Assembly Standing Committee on Children and Families hearing on the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment.

We raised concerns about the negative impact of unnecessary Child Protective Services (CPS) investigations, particularly on marginalized families, highlighting how these investigations often cause emotional harm, erode trust in institutions, and are disproportionately triggered by racial and socioeconomic biases.

We also emphasized the importance of peer support and called for reforms such as stricter screening for CPS reports, anti-harassment legislation, and policies that strengthen legal protections and provide social support to families. We recommended addressing the root causes of child welfare involvement, like poverty, and advocated for economic and social policies to stabilize families, including housing support, expanded tax credits, and universal access to affordable childcare and school meals.

Read the Full Testiomny Here!

Watch The Testiomony Video Here!

737 Madison Avenue

Albany, NY 12208

Office Phone: 518.432.0333

Information Email: info@ftnys.org

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