Join families and young people across New York State for a week of advocacy about topics and issues that are important to you! FTNYS will be hosting training sessions and town halls where families and youth will be able to speak directly with important legislators and change-makers in New York State government. These events will take place throughout the week. Sign up to attend or even participate as a speaker and ambassador in these town halls. Let your voice be heard about the issues that matter most to families and youth!
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You may register as a general audience member or an ambassador.
An ambassador is someone who will be participating in the town halls as someone who will be publicly asking questions and speaking with lawmakers and state agency commissioners. Please note: in order to be considered as an town hall ambassador, you MUST participate in the general session on Monday. Anyone can register to attend the town halls as an audience member.
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You're voice matters. Share your stories to help shape policy in New York. Have a personal experience in mental health and cross systems challenges? Please describe your experience with the selected town hall topics so we can carry message to legislators.
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February, 2021
The Voice is Families Together in New York State's Newsletter. We will continue to update you on a monthly basis 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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Resources for families affected by COVID-19; Prioritizing mental and physical health while staying home.
Families Together is here to help.
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Allow us to introduce you to...
Board Treasurer
Robin Nelson
Robin Nelson has been serving families of children with special, emotional, and/or behavioral needs since 2003 in NY’s Adirondack region. She is also a parent of a daughter with SED. Having a child with special needs caused her to have to “learn the ropes” of the child-serving system. Robin worked as an advocate for both children and parents, moving to the role of supervising parent advocates. She has been with her agency for 16 years and currently works as the agency’s Chief Compliance Officer. She is truly dedicated to the Family Support Movement and passionately believes that parents and caregivers can make the biggest difference in helping struggling families. She is the parent of three grown children and is now raising her daughter’s son, who is a rambunctious 13-year-old with a wicked sense of humor and the apple of her eye.
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Families Together CEO, Paige Pierce, testifies before the New York State Senate & Assembly Human Services Committee on the importance of investing in emotional wellness for all families and youth in the State of New York.
Watch the Testimony Below
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Hidden Dangers: The Impact of Human
Trafficking
Wednesday, February 24th
1:00pm - 3:00pm
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A Human Trafficking Panel Discussion and Q&A
Wednesday, March 3rd 1:00pm
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Family EmPOWERment Week
March 1st - March 5th
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Understanding Gender
Thursday, March 11th,
2:00pm - 3:00pm
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Foundations for Leadership
Monday, March 15th & Thursday, April 1st
6:30pm - 8:00pm
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Virtual Youth
Leadership Forum
March 22nd-24th &
29th-31st
12:30pm - 3:00pm
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Ernie & Joe: Crisis Cops Panel Discussion
Tuesday, May 4th
2:00pm - 3:30pm
More information coming soon
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2021 Annual Conference
Wednesday, May 5th
More information coming soon
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Family Empowerment Week is coming soon! Feel free to share our website and registration along with the poster to help promote registration: |
Family Empowerment Day Presentation:
Monday March 1st: 11:00 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.
This will be the general session where we will meet with our members, discuss our policy priorities, recognize prestigious awardees, and host a workshop for how to effectively participate in the town halls.
Family Empowerment Week Townhalls:
Tuesday, 3/2- Friday, 3/5
Join State Agency Commissioners, Legislative Committee Chairs, families, and young people for structured virtual townhalls on the topics you care about!
Developmental Disabilities Townhall
Tuesday, 3/2, 10:00 A.M.-10:45 A.M.
Child Welfare Townhall
Wednesday, 3/3, 3:00 P.M.-3:30 P.M.
Youth Justice Townhall
Thursday, 3/4, 9:30 A.M.-10:15 A.M.
Youth Mental Health and Addiction Townhall
Thursday, 2:45 P.M- 3:30 P.M.
Education Justice Townhall (Pending)
Friday, 3/5 11A.M.-11:45 A.M.
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2021 FTNYS Human Services Budget Testimony
This week we testified at the Human Services budget hearing on all things children and families. Read our testimonies and learn more about this year's policy priorities.
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Watch our very own Kim Kaiser and Amanda Davidson speak out about cuts to crucial children's behavioral health services as part of the Campaign for Healthy Minds Healthy Kids press conference. |
2021 FTNYS Digital Advocacy Center. Stay home. Stay Healthy. Take action.
Stay up-to-date with all our advocacy efforts and use emails, social media, and phone calls. We might have to stay home, but our advocacy doesn't have to.
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Family & Youth Headline Highlights
(STAFF HIGHLIGHT)
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Watch Our Video below on How NYS Families and Youth say No to Behavioral Health Cuts! |
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Which Parent Advisor
is considered a
Style Fashionista?
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Cheryl R. Williams is an Immigrant of Guyana, South America, a proud parent and grandparent. Her journey in advocacy begun over 27 years ago. Ms. Williams had experienced many years of frustration trying to access services within the various systems, lots of unanswered questions, and the challenges she had encountered. Ms. Williams allowed that frustration to become the passion and fuel that ignited her to get involved in all cross-systems services at all levels to ensure that all families have access to meaningful care for their children.
Ms. Williams has dedicated her life’s work to improve outcomes for children and families in all communities within the Long Island Region, her commitment is unprecedented. She believes that all children, especially those that have other abilities or are disadvantages have the right to access mental, physical, and emotional health care. According to Ms. Williams, we are dealing with a “National Health Crisis”, and our responsibility is to enlighten society to the benefits of leveling the playing field for all, especially children and their families Ms. Williams focuses on collaboration in all systems, communities, and families. As a dynamic advocate, speaker, collaborator, results-oriented professional, and a Regional Parent Advisor with a broad network of contacts, she has worked on national, statewide, and regional levels as a Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports School Focus Trainer (PBIS) which was a collaboration with NYS Education, Office of Mental Health and Families Together. New York State NYS, Inc.
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Nominate Someone
Who is Great in Our State!
As part of the 2021 New York State What's Great in Our State (WGiOS) celebration on May 4, 2021, the planning committee for the Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day event is seeking nominations to honor individuals, communities, schools, and organizations across New York State that are making a difference in the field of children and youth mental health.
The last year has been one of extraordinary challenges. It is even more important this year to recognize the individuals, programs, and organizations who have worked to meet those challenges and who are creative, passionate and dedicated in supporting the mental health of children, youth and families.
Here’s your opportunity to recognize those who are doing outstanding work!
Our annual recognition focuses on the following six categories:
- Youth/Young Adult
- Family/Caregiver
- Lifetime
- Systems of Care Community
- Organization or Community Group
- School
All nominations will be reviewed by the inter-agency planning committee and notifications will be made by March 31, 2021. Awardees will be recognized at the WGiOS celebration virtual event on Tuesday, May 4, 2021.
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SCAA presents: State of the New York's Children. |
Watch our friends at the Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy provide their annual data overview outlining the key metrics around the health and well-being of New York's children that policymakers need to consider when deciding on this year's budget. |
Families Together in NYS, Inc., in partnership with NYS Office of Mental Health is looking for a Western Region Parent Advisor to join the Community & Systems Engagement Department.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Regional Parent Advisor (PA) promotes the lived experience perspective across all child & youth systems. Actively champion the mission and vision of Families Together and Office of Mental Health. The Parent Advisor role is paramount to assist and support the sustainability of Family Peer Support Services (FPSS) in New York State.
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For the month of February, Youth Power of Families Together in New York State would like to take the time to highlight the wonderful work that Kaleigh “Tazz” Hanna, Youth Peer Advocate at ICan, located in Utica, NY.
Thank you Tazz for all the hard work and dedication you continue to do for yourself, your community, the Mohawk Valley region and your friends at Youth Power. We are excited to see what great things you accomplish in the future!
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Join the FTNYS Team!
Long Island Regional Youth Partner Position
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There is an opening in Families Together in NYS, Inc., Youth Power, which is the statewide network of young people who have been labeled and are seeking change.
Applicants must send a resume with a formal cover letter to employment@ftnys.org in order to be considered.
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Missed Our Previous Events? |
Youth Power Overview- An introductory presentation about Youth Power of FTNYS and ways YOUth in the community can get involved with us!
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Navigating Mental Health in the LGBTQ+ Community- This workshop includes a full review of the "do's and don'ts"; Questions clinicians can and should ask to explore a person’s identity in a helpful way. The objectives of this presentation are to help mental health providers understand the ways in which sexual orientation and gender identity impact mental health, including gender dysphoria, and gain a greater understanding of Gender Dysphoria and how to help people identify coping skills to manage it.
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Join the Youth Power Advisory Council |
Join Our Peer Supervisors Meetings |
Youth Peer Meetings Are Here for You! |
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PEP 4-Day
Virtual Training
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Don't miss the next Parent Empowerment Program training of 2021!
Orientation: March 8 @ 10:00am
4 days of training: March 15-18 9:30am – 2:00pm
Pre-register only if….
- You hold a FPA Provisional Credential.
- You completed all of the PEP Level 2 online modules.
- You are employed as a FPA providing FPSS.
Availability is limited to the first 12 eligible pre-registrants. This training satisfies "step 4" of the pathway to a FPA Professional Credential.
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Hiring and Inspiring! Creative Recruitment of YPAs
Wednesday, February 24 12:30pm - 2:00pm
Youth Peer Support is a relatively new service and organizations face a collective challenge to find young adults qualified to fulfill these roles. Come join us as Families Together in NYS shares their ideas on the steps you can take to recruit Youth Peer Advocates for these roles. You will also hear from three agencies across the state that have taken creative steps to both hire and inspire the next generation of Youth Peer Advocates.
Moderator: Azaria Georger Panelists: Youth Peer Advocates & Supervisors
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Integrated Care 101:
Overview & Best Practices within Youth-Serving Organizations
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Thursday, February 25 1:00pm - 2:00pm |
Integrated Care is the act of blending behavioral health and medical services, but it is often complicated to achieve. Organizations and practitioners often find themselves with questions regarding what works, how to fully integrate all of their services, and how to involve youth and families throughout the process.
This webinar will provide an overview of integrated care within youth-serving organizations, review examples and best practices, and provide tips for individual practitioners and organizations to get started with integrated care.
Presenter: Michelle Duprey, LMSW is the Director of Integrated Health Care at Starfish Family Services.
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Community Technical Assistance Center of New York - Upcoming Webinars
Tuesday, Feb. 23rd, 1-2 PM
- Partnering with Families to Enhance Family Driven Practice
Thursday, Feb. 25th, 1-2 PM
- Integrated Care 101: Overview and Best Practices within Youth-Serving Organizations
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MHAW Job Posting: CRW Outreach & Training Specialist |
MHAW’s Part-Time Outreach and Training Peer Specialist is an agency leader in the facilitation of services designed to support aspiring/working peer specialists to obtain and sustain employment through outreach, training, internship, support, and advocacy services. The Part-Time Outreach and Training Peer Specialist is a key team player in several projects of our Careers in Recovery and Wellness (CRW) Training Center and Healing Connections (HC) Peer Support Services. View the full posting here. |
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MINDFULNESS: A YOUNG ADULT'S GUIDE TO MEDITATION
Mindfulness is a helpful tool for so many mental health challenges. There are often simple techniques and practices that participants can use in their everyday lives to help regulate, relieve stress, and even take control of their lives. This guide has been developed from CTAC to help participants and providers alike to learn or practice meditation and mindfulness skills. Developed by CTAC's NYAPRS partner Ruth Colón-Wagner, it can be used as-is or it can be used as an interactive guide, by listening to the recorded meditation exercises. Listen now.
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NY Project Hope - New York's FREE and confidential COVID-19 Emotional Support Helpline
1-844-863-9314
8:00am - 10:00pm / 7-Days a week
The Emotional Support Helpline is staffed by trained crisis counselors who help callers talk through their emotions and find resources to help them with the challenges of COVID. NY Project Hope also has a website filled with resources that folks can access anytime at www.nyprojecthope.org, as well as a supportive social media presence.
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5 Things Digest: COMMUNITY WELLNESS & PEER SUPPORTS
- Peer support is not a clinical service.
- Peer support providers are members of the team and fulfill many roles
- Evidence demonstrates the positive benefits of peer support services.
- Supervision of peers is unique from supervision with other professions.
- Self-care is a critical component of peer support.
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Join Rise in Developing a Parents’ Platform: Sign up for a Community Conversation!
Participatory Action Research Project to Develop a Parents’ Platform
As parents impacted by the child welfare system, we are developing a Parents’ Platform to amplify the experiences of families targeted, surveilled, and separated by ACS and to advocate for real community-based support.
Community Conversations will be held via Zoom on the following dates/times:
- Wednesday, February 24th, 3:00-5:00 pm
- Wednesday, March 17th, 3:00-5:00 pm
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Wednesday, April 14th, 3:00-5:00 pm
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NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and will save lives. If someone you know thinks it might be better to catch COVID-19 than to get a vaccine, help us spread the word that getting the vaccine is far safer than risking getting sick with COVID-19.
When you get vaccinated, you are helping to protect yourself and your family and friends. You are also helping to make your community safer.
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Gender Inclusive Facilitation Skills for
Peer Specialists
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Tuesday, February 23
2:00pm - 3:00pm
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Creating a safe learning environment for support groups and educational workshops is an important job for peer specialists.
In this presentation Ari Dennis introduces attendees to the concept of gender inclusion and how it applies to facilitation for peer specialists. Practical skills will be the core of the talk interwoven with personal narrative and statistics. The skills they will address are categorized broadly into personal inclusive practices, facilitation of groups with mixed gender or sexual orientation, and awareness and deconstruction of gender associations.
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Peer Employment Support Group
Virtual Community Networking
Fridays
12:00pm - 1:00pm
A weekly support meeting for those seeking employment in the peer support workforce. Participants will explore a variety of topics for choosing, getting, and keeping good peer support jobs.
Led by the Academy of Peer Services and the NYC Peer and Community Health Worker Workforce Consortium.
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EMPOWERING FAMILIES. COORDINATING SYSTEMS.
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