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Registration OPEN for YOUTH POWER!'s Mental Health Waiver and
Youth Peer Advocate Training!
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YOUTH POWER! is pleased to offer the Mental Health Waiver Youth Peer Advocacy Training for Youth Peer Advocates working in the OMH Waiver. This training will provide information about the waiver, its core services, and how they intersect and compliment the services of Youth Peer Advocates.
Over two days, this training will address key principles of the waiver -- peer support and advocacy -- and explore and practice competencies Youth Peer Advocates will need for their work with young people in their local communities.
Important information about the training:
* This training will include an overview of HCBS Waiver, Youth Peer Advocacy, Cultural Competence, Building on Strengths, Building Relationships, Mentoring and Coaching, Professional Expectations, and Documentation.
* Participants will receive a completion certificate.
* Participants will also be expected to complete four online training components to be completed after the in person training. Login credentials will be provided following registration.
* This training is free for young adults who meet the YPA qualifications.
* An hour lunch break will be allotted each day.
* Registration information below. Limited spots available! *Each training will be conducted for up to 20 Youth Peer Advocates per training.
Questions? Contact Joanna Ahlatis at [email protected] or 518-432-0333 ext. 18
Stay tuned for additional training dates.
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WE HAD A GREAT TIME AT UYP18! DID YOU?
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University of YOUTH POWER!
Class of 2018
On June 23-26, 2018, YOUTH POWER! hosted their fifth annual University of YOUTH POWER!
(UYP), a for-youth-by-youth social justice conference that is modeled after a college experience. UYP is the premier youth peer leadership conference that provides Youth Peer Advocates and change agents the opportunity to build skills and expand their professional network. Young people ages 18 to 30 attended with a major of Peer Advocacy or Systems Advocacy. UYP took place in Albany, New York, at the College of Saint Rose.
The students at UYP learned topics ranging from mindfulness, to disability history, to suicide prevention, and more!
Quotes from a few UYP18 students are:
"UYP18 has inspired me to share the amazing stories I heard."
"I love the classes."
"I learned a lot from UYP, I am thankful for this experience."
"UYP18 helped me to improve how to communicate more."
"Made me feel more inspired to get involved with YOUTH POWER! and advocacy."
YOUTH POWER! is proud and inspired by the young people that attended the University of YOUTH POWER! Class of 2018 this year! May we always remember to advocate for what you believe in, listen to other people's stories, and speak up and speak out.
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Last Chance to Apply for the New York Institute For Self-Advocacy!
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Last chance to apply for the, New York Institute for Self-Advocacy (NYISA) event. This 4-day, 3-night conference, is taking place August 4th-7th, and teaches young adults (21+) with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities self-advocacy skills.
Applications are extending for this event and are being accepted on a first come, first serve basis as there are a few slots open. The need for a letter of recommendation will be waived. If you meet the basic qualifications and fill out the application ASAP, you are very likely to be accepted to this free event.
Contact Zack Kilmer, NYISA Coordinator, at
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Central Regional Forum Coming Soon...
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Are you looking for a day of self-advocacy and empowerment?!
Saturday, August 18th
11:30 am- 4:30 pm
210 Court Street
Watertown, NY
Young people age 12-29 are invited to learn about self-advocacy, enjoy food, and have fun!
Adult allies are welcome to join the adult breakout session!
Registration and details at:
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CHAMPS-NY and YP! celebrate Foster Care Month
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CHAMPS-NY wants to t
hank those who were able to join them as the Assembly recognized National Foster Care Month in Albany, NY. CHAMPS, as well as YOUTH POWER!, had a great time hearing the line-up of speakers (including a young woman who participated in the Foster Youth College Success Initiative, and a young man who benefited from the AGAPE program). CHAMPS also had the opportunity to take a group of young people to the Assembly floor where they were recognized (by name!) by the Majority Leader.
CHAMPS-NY also had an op-ed published in the Syracuse Post Standard, including introducing the organization. To read the op-ed, click
here
!
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NY Launches
Suicide Prevention Program
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The New York Governor's Office announced a pilot program to help prevent suicides in the state.
To read more of the article, click here!
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Mental Health Education in
New York State Schools
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While most states have laws addressing the teaching of health education in primary and secondary schools, few have passed laws requiring the teaching of mental health. However, California and Minnesota have passed legislation pertaining to mental health instruction in schools but these laws do not mandate the teaching of mental health and only "encourage" or "recommend" that it be taught to students. After five years of persistent legislative advocacy, New York lawmakers responded to the call of the inclusion of mental health instruction in the health curriculum of New York's schools.
The purpose behind having a health curriculum to instruct young people about important public health topics such as the early detection of cancer and instruction about alcohol, tobacco and substances. These important elements of the school health curriculum have long been recognized as crucial knowledge for young people and have been specifically named and included in the State's education law for decades. It is long overdue that instruction in mental health should accompany these crucial areas of instruction and made available to the young people of New York.
Assembly member Catherine Nolan and Senator Carl Marcillino represented New York legislation to pass both houses of the Legislature in June 2016. The legislation was signed into law on September 30th, 2016 by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo as Chapter 390 of the Laws of 2016, which upon is affective July 1st, 2018. This mandation will REQUIRE all New York State elementary, middle schools and high schools to provide instruction about mental health to all students as a part of the school health curriculum. Secion 1 of the law adds a new paragraph to Section 804 of the New York State Education Law to declare mental health, as well as physical health, be included as a part of health education. These amendments to the Education Laws do not specify curriculum content.
The Mental Health Association in New York State, Inc (MHANYS) is a non-profit organization with 26 local affiliate Mental Health Associates serving 50 counties in NYS. MHANYS offers innovative and effective programming that addresses a wide range of mental health challenges and increases mental health knowledge. MHANYS is an agency of support, education and advocacy for mental health issues and has been for over fifty years. As a part of its mission, MHANYS advocates for change in the mental health system ensuring access for all New Yorkers, fights stigma through community based partnership programming and provides information on mental health issues and services. MHANYS also creates and maintains projects that in the past and present, share the common theme of education the public about mental health challenges and reducing stigma of the challenge.
For more information, click
here!
For more information, check out these resources
here!
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Boldly Crowned Launch Celebration!
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A newly formed 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, Boldly Crowned, is hosting a launch party! The Founder and President, promises to commit to the mission of supporting young woman ages 16-30 who have experienced trauma, or at risk of experiencing trauma. Many young women are struggling with unresolved emotional reactions to traumatic events. In their efforts to support, they will provide expressive arts programming, self- empowerment workshops, and peer support all while creating a safe space, and connecting them to a support system that encourages healing. In order to support their mission and help bring awareness to Boldly Crowned, they would greatly appreciate it if you attend their launch celebration on July, 25th.
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Y-TAC Offers WIOA Webinar Series
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The legal landscape around serving transition-age youth has changed dramatically in the last few years. The Vocational Rehabilitation Youth Technical Assistance Center (Y-TAC) is conducting a series of webinars to assist youth service professionals in understanding the intricacies of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and other legal changes related to serving transition-age youth. The webinars are designed for Vocational Rehabilitation counselors, school personnel, community-based organizations, and other youth service professionals working with transition-age youth as well as family members and advocates. Register for each of the entire series:
All webinars will be held from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm EDT. All webinars will be open captioned, recorded and posted to the Y-TAC website. The Y-TAC is a sister technical assistance center of the NCWD/Youth, housed at the Institute for Educational Leadership and supported by the U.S. Department of Education's Rehabilitation Services Administration.
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NCWD/Youth Sponsors
"What School Leaders Need to Know" Webinar
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The National Collaborative on Workforce & Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth) will host an important webinar on
July 26th from 2:00 - 3:30 EDT entitled "What School Leaders Need to Know" about the changing legal landscape for preparing transition-age youth for employment. The webinar will be open-captioned, recorded and posted to the NCWD/Youth website at
www.ncwd-youth.info.
Register
here
.
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Mohawk Valley Community College hosts
emPower Up! Program
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July 31st- August 2nd, 2018
10:00 am- 3:00 pm
Mohawk Valley Community College | Utica, NY
Utica Campus, IT 225
Mohawk Valley Community College is pleased to host the first annual emPower Up! Program, a summer empowerment program for LGBTQIA+ identified youth in grades 9-12.
General topics of the program will include community building and confidence, identity, empowerment, setting goals/action items, college life, etc.
The program is FREE for up to 15 students, first come, first served.
For more information on the emPower Up! Program, click
here!
For an application, click here!
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2018-2019 Disability Rights
Storytellers Fellowship Opportunity
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The Disability Rights Storytellers Fellowship managed by Rooted in Rights and AAPD provides the opportunity for individuals with disabilities to learn and apply skills in digital media storytelling, and to connect with media professionals to prepare participants for advanced careers in media production, journalism, online advocacy, or digital design. The project combines hands-on training in cutting-edge technologies with a strong foundation in developing each individual's voice and using story-driven videos in advocacy.
Applications for the 2018-2019 Disability Rights Storytellers Fellowship are due by September 4, 2018.
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Get Involved with National Campaigns!
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Social media is a great tool to bring awareness in our advocacy efforts.
Together, we can amplify our voices!
Below are the awareness campaigns for July and August. Team up to Speak Up and Speak Out!
Disability Pride Month
Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
National Disability Voter Registration Week (7/17-21)
National Health Center Week (8/13-19)
National Immunization Awareness Month
Want to get more involved in YP!'s Advocacy efforts?
You can submit advocacy tips, articles, and more on topics that affect YOU! Team up with monthly, weekly, and national day campaigns and email submissions to [email protected]!
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The views and opinions expressed in third party messages and external links included in this eNews are those of the organization or individual mentioned. They do not necessarily reflect the official positions of YOUTH POWER!.
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