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

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

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

Learn more & apply

Seeking New York City Parents

Apply Now

Upcoming Events

Equity Empowered Training Series

Sep. 25, Oct. 29 & Nov. 19, 2024

FPAs Facilitating Support Groups

Sep. 30, 2024 12:30-2:00 PM

Strategic Sharing

Sep. 30, 2024

4:30-6:00 PM

LIFT Legislative Breakfast

Oct. 17, 2024

12:30-2:00 PM

FANS Basic Training

Oct. 21 & 22, 10AM - 3:30PM

Learn More

FANS Technical Assistance Office Hours

Multiple Dates

Empowering Leaders of Family Peer Support

Dear CEOs, Directors & Managers,

Leading Family Peer Support is challenging and Families Together is here to help you succeed.

That is why we’re thrilled to invite you to our upcoming Empowering Leaders of Family Peer Support meetings, a platform where your needs and requests will shape the agenda.

These inclusive sessions will involve dynamic discussions, training, program and workforce development, networking opportunities, and more. As leaders you recognize that growth begins with identifying the evolving needs of your program or organization, nurturing potential and committing to continuous development. We will support you in that journey.

Start shaping the future today with a brief survey. Please click the link below to complete. The survey is due September 27, 2024.

Questions? Please email Kim D. Kaiser, Kkaiser@ftnys.org. Thank you and we look forward to your input and participation.

Learn More

Thursday, September 26, 2024 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Albany Marriott, 189 Wolf Road

Caregivers, Advocates to be Honored at Kinship Care Month Celebration

On Thursday, September 26, Kinship Care professionals, advocates and providers will gather in Albany for a celebration of Kinship Care Month. The luncheon will be held at the Albany Marriott at 189 Wolf Road from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

“During Kinship Care Month, we celebrate the treasured natural resource of kinship caregivers statewide, and highlight the important contribution that kin make in supporting and raising children, along with the advocates who fight so fiercely for them,” said Rae Glaser, Director of the NYS Kinship Navigator, an information, referral, and advocacy program for kinship caregivers in New York State.

There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. We'll be sharing more information in the weeks to come, but hope you will sign up soon!

Learn more

A Comprehensive Guide to Upcoming Events and Opportunities for Community Empowerment in September

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.

Learn More

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:

Central Region Sep 27 - 29, 2024 Camp Comstock Ithaca, NY
Long Island Region Oct 4-7,2024 Dorothy P. Flint Camp Riverhead, NY

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!

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

Empowering Youth Peer Advocates: Strengthening Connections and Civic Engagement Across NYC

This summer, Ruth Nava, Youth Advisor at DOHMH, invited Yaniel Wynter, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity Youth Engagement Coordinator from FTNYS, to connect with Youth Peer Advocates across NYC. The aim was to boost professional development, encourage in-person collaboration, and enhance civic engagement. Through this partnership, they facilitated meaningful discussions and networking opportunities, strengthening community ties and empowering YPAs. The initiative provided a valuable platform for YPAs to explore additional active participation in civic engagement and advocacy throughout the city. By facilitating these connections, the effort not only advanced the skills and engagement of YPAs, but also set a new standard for using strategic connections to drive meaningful growth and engagement among YPAs.

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 September 25th, discover the valuable role faith-based communities can play as natural supports. In October, our "Shattering the Stigma" session 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!

September is National Literacy Month, and this graphic emphasizes the importance of mental health literacy from a Youth Peer Advocate (YPA) perspective. Mental health literacy means recognizing signs, knowing available resources, and supporting both yourself and others. By encouraging early intervention, breaking stigma, and empowering one another, we can create a more supportive environment. This month, let's focus on learning, sharing, and supporting mental health awareness in our communities while promoting self-care and advocacy. Use local resources and join initiatives to help make a difference!

Amplifying Mental Health Wellness through the Lens of Equity: Technology and Human Rights

World Mental Health Day Symposium

Thursday October 10th, 2024 University of Albany

9:00am-3:00pm

(In- person and virtual options)

Continuing Education Credits

Join the University of Albany's BILPOC Faculty Advancement Initiative, the Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities (CEMHD), and Partners in Community Development Inc. for a one-day symposium on World Mental Health Day, Thursday, October 10, 2024. This event will explore mental health in communities of color, focusing on equity, technology, and human rights. Attendees will engage with local, regional, and national experts through panels, discussions, and interactive exercises to address mental health disparities and advocate for mental health as a basic human right. CEUs are available for social workers and psychology professionals. Registration includes a continental breakfast and lunch.

Learn More & Register

Your Input is Needed for the Youth Power 2025 Priority Agenda

Share your insights and the things you are passionate about advocating for.

Provide Input

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, a critical time to raise awareness about mental health and the importance of seeking support. Did you know that 1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year, and that 1 in 6 youth aged 6-17 face a mental health disorder annually? Suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth aged 10-14, highlighting the urgency of these issues. But there is hope and help. The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available by dialing 988, and specialized support exists for those in the LGBTQ+ community and others in need. Remember, reaching out can make a life-saving difference.

View and Share

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.

Sep-Dec 2024 Registration

The Alliance for Rights and Recovery-2024 Annual Conference

Families Together in NYS, Inc. is excited to sponsor an opportunity for youth peers to attend the Alliance for Rights and Recovery Conference on September 25-27, 2024 in Callicoon, NY!

If you are interested in this opportunity, please don't delay! Contact Justice Walcott, Director of Youth Power, at jwalcott@ftnys.org or (518) 432-0333 x 43 today.

The Annual Conference is just two weeks away, and limited bus transportation is available from New York City and Long Island. Reserve your spot today!

NYC Bus Pickup Locations:

Fountain House (425 W 47th St.)
Union Square Park (32 Union Square E)

Departure: 7 am on Wednesday, September 25th

Return: 1 pm on Friday, September 27th

Seats are limited and registration is first-come, first-served. Don't wait—click here to sign up for NYC buses and secure your spot!

Long Island Bus Pickup Locations:

Riverhead (5:30 am)
Ronkonkoma (6:30 am)
Hempstead (7:30 am)

For the Long Island bus, contact Brent Russell at brussell@mhanc.org for reservations.

Statewide Ban on Cell Phones in Schools: Share your thoughts!

Govenor Hochul's administration is exploring the possibility of banning phones in schools statewide with standardized legislation. The Governor plans to use the next few months to meet with stakeholders including school officials, teachers, parents, and school aged youth the gather information to inform a statewide policy her administration plans to announce before the end of the year.

Although the administration acknowledges some practical and safety concerns of this proposal, they do point to evidence that overuse of "digital distractions" has having a negative impact on the mental health and learning outcomes of school aged youth.

As part of that effort, we want to hear from you! Below is a survey to evaluate how our members feel about this proposal. We will share our findings with key leaders and stakeholders.

Share your thoughts 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!

Pre-registration is Now Open for the Healthy Minds, Healthy Kids Community Speakout

Join us Tuesday, October 8 from 6:30-7:30pm, for this important virtual event and learn more about mental and behavioral health advocacy, HMHK’s priorities, and what community members can do to help the cause.

In New York, our health system doesn’t have the capacity to treat the skyrocketing number of young people desperately in need of mental health support. Right now, children and youth have to get really sick to get help, and that help is too often delivered in emergency rooms and hospitals, rather than through the ongoing, high quality services they need to stay healthy. Providing quality care to children – particularly those with complex needs – requires close collaboration between parents and physicians, care coordinators and social workers, therapists and insurers, and so many others.

During Our Event You Will:

Learn About the mental health crisis impacting children, youth, and families
Meet the Healthy Minds, Healthy Kids campaign organizers, youth and parents like you who are leading this movement
Advocate With Us on policies that will address our mental health crisis
Take Action by contacting your state leaders

Join our movement as champions fighting to ensure youth and families receive the critical support they need to end our mental health crisis and make a future where children and families can grow and thrive.

New York Leads the Charge in Protecting Kids Online

Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James recently released a joint statement following Instagram's announcement of new safety features for minors. These changes, including disabling late-night notifications and enhancing parental supervision tools, align with New York's SAFE for Kids Act, passed in June. The law, which restricts addictive social media feeds and late-night notifications for minors, is already influencing national policy. Governor Hochul and Attorney General James emphasized that while these changes mark progress, the fight to protect kids online continues. Through the SAFE for Kids Act and the Child Data Protection Act, New York is setting a powerful precedent to safeguard children from harmful online practices.

Read the Full Statement

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Office Phone: 518.432.0333

Information Email: info@ftnys.org

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