Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), youth who have aged-out of foster care - when they were 18 or older - are now eligible for Medicaid until they turn 26.  And once enrolled, youth will not have to reapply for Medicaid until they turn 26. That means no paper work, no renewals, and no interruption in health insurance. Youth will also not need to provide any income information when applying, as this benefit is not based on how much you earn.

Youth who were in foster care outside of New York State, but now live in New York, are also eligible. New York is one of a few states that have agreed to provide coverage to all former foster care youth, even if they were in foster care in another state.

Schuyler Center has developed materials to help youth and service providers understand and access the benefit.  For more information, and to access these materials, visit:  http://www.scaany.org/scaa-resources/medicaid-to-26/   

Schuyler Center has also launched a survey for young people who are currently in foster care and or have aged out foster care. This survey is to collect data that help to analyze how aware youth in foster care or transition from foster care are of this opportunity. 

If you  identify as autistic there is a great new opportunity for you. A few members of YP! have started up a New York State Chapter of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN).  ASAN's mission is to provide a strong network for autistic self-advocates to build off one another and work together to improve the system for autistics all over the country. This statewide chapter plans to improve autistic voice all over New York State. We are looking to include members from all over the state in this new initiative.

If you are interested in joining this new and exciting chapter, contact Melanie Hecker at mhecker@youthpowerny.org or 518-432-0333 ex. 14

Positive Youth Development 101: A Curriculum for YouthWork Professionals

Authored by Jutta Dotterweich, this brand new curriculum offers an orientation to the youth development approach for professionals just entering the field of youth work. Use this free curriculum to provide professional development to new youth workers, supervisors and administrators, funders, and community volunteers. The 10-hour curriculum is structured in five distinct sections, each of which may be presented as a stand-alone workshop. Topics include:

• Positive Youth Development principles and theory
• Positive Youth Outcomes
• Youth Voice and Engagement
• Youth Development Programming
• Youth Worker Competencies

Black History Month, or National African American History Month, is an annual celebration during the month of February where we as a nation pause to celebrate the achievements of black Americans and a time to recognize the central role of African Americans in U.S. History.  It grew out of "Negro History Week," which was first organized in 1926 by an organization now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). 

In the decades after, mayors across the country began issuing yearly proclamations recognizing Negro History Week.  By the 1960's, thanks in part to the Civil Rights moment, the week evolved into Black History Month on many college campuses;  President Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976 and called upon the public to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history."  Since President Ford, every American president has designated February as Black History Month; even this year in his proclamation, President Obama called upon public officials, educators, librarians, and all people in the United States to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities.

There are numerous individuals whose names may not appear prominently in our history books, but nonetheless were important in shaping our national identity and everyday life.  Individuals like Lonnie Johnson who invented the number one selling toy in 1991, the Super Soaker water gun, or Percy Lavon Julian who invented cortisone which is used to treat arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.  Or perhaps Garret Morgan who invented the gas mask and automatic traffic signal, as well as Alexander Miles who improved the method of opening and closing of elevator doors and access to elevator shafts.  Other inventions such as the air conditioning unit, clothes dryer, the cellular phone, dust pan, typewriter, lawn mower, iron board, lawn sprinkler, street sweeper, guitar and many more were all created by black inventors and very integral to our comfort, health, communication, leisure and everyday life as we know it.

Stay engaged this Black History Month, research accomplishments of African Americans, get involved in events or service projects in your community and make a positive impact!  If you would like to read President Obama's proclamation in honor of Black History Month, you can do so by going to: 

 http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/01/30/presidential-proclamation-national-african-american-history-month-2015