On July 14, 2015, many people gathered in the headquarters of the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, and this meeting is one of many all across the state. The issue at hand is a possible merger of the Office of Mental Health and the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services. Many different types of people were at the meeting, and many had important things to say about if merging the two state agencies would better serve the public, including youth and families.

Directors of addiction and mental health clinics shared stories of their agencies and direct service providers gave input based on experience with their clients. Even YOUTH POWER! spoke to give some youth perspective to the meeting. A common theme in people's comments was that consumers are often stretched in different directions when involved in both systems, having two different service plans and two different sets of doctors. A merger of the two agencies could streamline services considering this dilemma.

What was also brought up was how intertwined mental health and addiction recovery are, and how often they occur together.  Some even say that addiction is itself a mental health challenge, and thus the two agencies belong together.

There was a very big sense of care as everyone at the meeting was there because they want what's best for mental health and addiction involved people. No matter what the state agency structure or bureaucracy is like, what matters most is the people, and taking care of the needs of those with addictions and mental health challenges. Hearing everyone's perspective, no matter what is was, gave you the sense that everyone is looking out for the good of the public, and that's exactly what a merger would be for: public gain.

While the Albany meeting was great, what these meetings need is more youth voice. When young people come to these meetings, they can provide input and perspective that no one else can.   YOU have the power to make a difference by attending your region's meeting and stating how you really feel about these two state agencies coming together.  Below is a list of remaining times and locations.

Molloy College, Suffolk Center

August 18th 3:00 - 5:00 pm; 5:30 - 7:30 pm

7180 Republic Airport

Farmingdale, NY

Buffalo & Erie County Public Library

August 20th 3:00 - 5:00 pm; 5:30 - 7:30 pm

The Mason O. Damon Auditorium, 1 Lafayette Square

Buffalo, NY

Click here for more information or to register.

Youth and Families are invited to attend this free event!

Monday, August 24, 2015

4:00 to 7:00 pm

CEO Third Floor Conference Room

2331 Fifth Avenue, Troy, NY 12180

The NorthEast New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (NENYCOSH) is a non-profit membership organization of workers, unions, community-based organizations, and health and safety professionals.  We use training, education, and advocacy to improve health and safety conditions for ALL workers throughout the Capital District.  

This training will equip young workers to look at their workplace, to identify potential hazards, and to know what prevention measures can be taken.  Additionally, we will inform young workers that they have the same legal rights to a safe and healthy workplace as do adults, and class attendees will be told how to exercise those rights. 

Participants will receive a certificate at the end of the training. Food will be served. 

To register for the training, please visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/nenycosh

If you have any questions, please contact Elijah Fagan-Solis, Mentoring Coordinator, at efagan@youthpowerny.org or by phone at 518-432-0333 ext. 19 

Join Youth in Progress for the 3D Me: Youth Development Day! 

Youth in care ages 14-21 are encouraged to attend and will have the opportunity to explore three dimensions of self: Self-Expression, Self-Identity, and Personal Independence.

Workshops will be facilitated by FosterClub All-Stars (youth in care). Lunch will be served.

When: August 25th, 2015, 9 A.M. - 3 P.M.

Where: Albany Marriott, 189 Wolf Road, Albany, NY 12205

Deadline for registration is August 12th, 2015. If you have any questions, please contact Erika Leveillee at (518)320-3743 or eleveillee@albany.edu.

Click here for the flyer.

Click here to register for the event. 

Applications are being accepted for the Juvenile Diversion Certificate Program, which will be held from December 15-18, 2015 at the Georgetown University Hotel and Conference Center in Washington, DC.  

The founding vision of Camp Get-A-Way is clear and simple:

• Offer whole family opportunities for recreational and skill building activities while living with a child with an emotional, behavioral, or mental illness disability.
• Offer families the chance to rediscover the joy of being a family without worry of discrimination or the stigma of being associated with mental health issues.
• Allow parents to connect with and support other parents faced with the same challenges.
• A celebration of yesterday, today, and tomorrow!

• Working with people in both one-to-one and group settings, facilitating peer support groups, events and activities
• Helping people establish creative community connections and assisting them to develop natural supports;
• Establishing connections to community based activities that enhance wellness, recovery and social engagement.
• Providing individualized peer-to-peer outreach and support in their homes and other settings to people who may find it difficult to reach out and connect to their communities.
• Engaging people in one on one recovery planning, using tools such as Wellness Recovery Action Planning and Intentional Peer Support; Assisting people to choose, record and achieve wellness goals;
• Offering individualized advocacy and support services to help a person learn about and protect their rights and interests.
• Organizing and coordinating wellness/recovery events and activities.

• Resources to aid those working in the areas of youth development and adolescent sexual health: publications and presentations, the e-letter ACT for Youth Update, and the websites actforyouth.net and nysyouth.net.
   
• Technical assistance and training for initiatives funded by the New York State Department of Health, including Comprehensive Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (CAPP), Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP), Successfully Transitioning Youth to Adolescence (STYA), and Pathways to Success.
   
• A home base for the ACT Youth Network, which connects young people across New York State.