Aboutthis Agenda

YOUTHPOWER!

2016PRIORITYAGENDA

AboutThis Agenda

In2015,YP!heldregionalyouthforumsandfocusgroups throughoutthestatetogaininsightintotheissuesofimportance toyoungpeoplewithdisabilitiesand/orinvolvementinsystems suchas:FosterCare,AddictionTreatment,MentalHealth, JuvenileJustice,andSpecialEducation.YP!alsoconducted surveysandfocusgroupstodigdeeperintofrequentlyraised issues.

ThisagendarepresentsthemajorissuesYP!supportsand regularlyworkstoaddress.Notalloftheitemsontheagendaare legislative.AgoodmajorityoftheworkYP!doestobring youth voicetogovernmentisthroughcommitteesandregularmeetings withgovernmentemployees.

AboutYOUTHPOWER!

YOUTHPOWER!istheNewYorkStatenetworkofyoungpeople whohavebeenlabeledandareseekingchange.Together,we havedecidedto speakupaboutourexperiencesbecausenoone knowswhatitis likeforusbetterthanwedo.Throughpeer-to- peermentoring,weempoweryoungpeopletobeactivecitizens whoareawareof governmentoperations,theirrightsandthe abilitytousetheirvoicestoinfluencepolicies,practices, regulationsandlaws.

Weareyoungpeoplehelpingotherpeople,ensuringavailability ofself-helpandpeersupportwhilechangingsystemssothat

youngpeoplegetthesupporttheyneedwiththerespectand dignitytheydeserve.

“Thisagendawascreatedforyouth,byyouthcoveringissuesthat arerealandrelevanttousandourexperiences-encompassing ourmissionandfuelingourpassiontoworktowardspositive systemredesign.”-CaitlinNeumann,BoardPresident

“ThePriorityAgendahighlightstheissuesofmostimportanceto theYP!Network.Wetrytousegovernmentlingowhilecapturing thethingsweheardirectlyfromyoungpeople.”-Stephanie Orlando,ExecutiveDirector,Founder

AmplifyingVoiceOn:ThePeerWorkforce,Rightsand Protections,Education,Employment,Transportation,Health Care,Housing,Justice,FosterCare,MentalHealth, DevelopmentalDisability,andAddiction

EXPANDTHEFAMILYANDYOUTHPEERSUPPORT WORKFORCE:

ExpandandintegrateFamilyandYouthPeerSupport

AdvocacyServicesintoallchildren’sservices.Familyand YouthPeerSupportservicesareeffectivebecausetheyare family-driven,youth-guided,cross-systems,andcommunity- basedservicesthatutilizethelivedexperienceof familiesand youthtosupportotherchildrenandtheirfamilies.Researchhas shownthatchildren’sservicesthatintegrateFamilyand Youth PeerSupportprofessionalsintotheirprogramsaremore engaging,increaseoverallrecipientsatisfaction,andultimately createbetteroutcomesforchildrenandfamilies.Statefunding shouldbemadeavailabletosupport,expand,integrateand

maintaintheseprogramsandagenciesthatutilizethemas children’sservicestransitionintoIntegratedMedicaidManaged Care.

Expandtheavailabilityoftransitionageyouthandyoung adultpeersupportadvocacyservices.Thereareavery smallnumberof youngadultpeersupportprovidersthroughout thestate.Additionally,youngadultshaveaccesstoveryfew programsthataredesignedfortheiragegroup.Weaskall servicesystemsincluding,DOH,OMH,OASAS,DCJS,OCFS, OPWDD,DOL,ACCES-VR,NYSED,SUNY,andCUNYto increasefundsforPeerAdvocacyprograms.Theseprograms shouldnotbelimitedtoMedicaidbillableservices.Thestate shouldinvestincommunityprogramsthatareopentothepublic

andfocusonempowerment,suicideprevention,substanceabuse prevention,health,wellness,self-determination,independent

livingskills,post-secondaryeducation,andemploymentfor

transitionageyouthandyoungadults.

Increasecross-systemsfundingforcross-systemswork.

Familyand YouthPeerSupportServicesneedspecificfundsto

docross-systemswork.Thecomplexneedsof youthwillneverbe addressedbyonesystemalone.Wecallupontheagenciesto braidtheirfundingintocross-systemspeerservicesforfamilyand youth.Fundsmustbereservedfortrainingsandthecertification

ofcross-systempeerserviceproviders.

Fundacross-systemsYouthPeerServicesAdvisory Council:In2015,withthesupportoftheOfficeofMental HealthandtheMedicaidRedesignTeamYP!formedthe YouthPeerServicesAdvisoryCouncil.Weurgethestateto

fundthiscouncil’sactivitieswhichincludeadvisingthestate

onthedevelopmentofcross-systemsyouthpeersupportand trainingservices.Wealsoaskthestatetoempowerthis counciltoplaya majorroleinthe credentialingofYouthPeer AdvocatesintheStateofNewYork.

YouthQuotes:

“Itis helpfultohearfrompeoplewhoyouknowwhohavebeen throughitversessomeonewhohasnoidea”-CentralRegion

“Iwantayouthadvocatein supportivehousingandapartment

buildings.”–NewYorkCity

“Iwanttoseepeerseducatingpeersonindependentliving.”- CentralRegion

“WeneedPeerAdvocatesineveryacutecarewingtohelpnew patientsunderstandthesystem.”-WesternRegion

RIGHTS ANDPROTECTIONS:

Strengthenanti-bullyinginitiatives:Bullyinganddiscrimination mustnotbetoleratedandvictimsdeservethehighestlevelof respectandprotection.Furthermore,wefeelbulliesneed youth- drivensupportandpositiveinterventions.Wecalloneveryperson inNewYorkStatetoaddressthisimportantcommunityproblem.

Supportbullyingpreventionandinterventionprogramsnot onlyinschoolsbutacrossstatesystems,inlocal communitiesandontheinternet.Theseprogramsshould includepeermediatorsandensurethecurrentbullyinglaws arefullyimplemented.

Schoolsneedtobeheldaccountableforfollowingcurrent bullyinglawsincludingtheDignityforallStudentsAct.

Incentivesforhighperformingschoolsshouldbeoffered alongwithaccountabilitymeasuresforlowperforming schools.

Peermediationprogramsshouldbeavailableinallschool settings.

Wecalluponlawenforcementto domoreto addresscyber bullying.Increaseeducationforyoungpeopleandtheir familiesoftheirrightsandhowtoreportcyberharassment.

Strengthenanti-discriminationefforts:Wesupportcommunity andgovernmentsponsoredeffortstocombatdiscriminationand educatethepublicespeciallyinregardto:disability,sexual orientation,gender,raceandethnicity,mentalhealthstatusand personalexperienceinstatesystems.

Culturalcompetencytrainingmustberequiredofall employeesinhumanandsocialservicesettingsincluding thosewhoarenotdirectserviceproviders.

Addressdisproportionality:NYSmustworktoaddressracial disparitiesanddisproportionalrepresentationofpeopleofcolorin institutionalsettings.Servicesmustbeofferedequallytoall people.

AddressdisproportionalityintheChildWelfareSystem: Childrenofcolorcontinuetomakeupadisproportionate percentageof thetotalchildwelfaresystem.Weurgethe Statetotakeadata-drivenapproachtodisproportionalityto trackimprovements,publishresultsandsharebestpractices acrosscounties.Countiesthatstruggletoaddress disproportionalitycouldlearnfromtheeffortsofthosewho haveseensomesuccess.

Assureinformedconsent:Asthechildren’ssystemexpandsto serveindividualsuntiltheageof21itisimportanttoensurethat youngadult’srightsareprotected.

Ensuretransitionageyouthareinformedoftheirrightsina mannerthatisdevelopmentallyappropriate.

Ensureyoungpeopleareprovidedphonenumbersand websiteaddressesforadvocacyandprotectionagencies.

Ensureyoungadultscanexercisetheirrightswithoutfearof retaliation.

WeurgetheUnitedStatestoRatifytheCRPD.TheConvention ontheRightsofPersonswithDisabilities(CRPD)isan internationaltreaty—anagreementamongnationsthatsignand ratifyit.CountriesthatratifytheCRPDareagreeingtoprovide peoplewithdisabilitiesthesamerightsandopportunitiesthat

otherpeoplehave.WeurgetheUnitedStatesSenatetovotein favoroftheresolution.TheUSmusttakeaseatat this internationaltable.

YouthQuotes:

“Thebiggestlieschoolstellyouisthatbullyingwillnotbe

tolerated.”–HudsonRiverRegion

“Bulliesareinsecuresotheytakeitoutonotherpeople.Teach

themnottobehatefulandtobeaccepting.”–LongIsland

“Youcan’tgeneralizesomeone’sdisabilityandwhattheyare

goingthrough.Differentisokay,andshouldbeadmired.”–Central

Region

“Idon’tknowmyrights.I’dprefertohaveaclass(tolearnthem).”- LongIsland

Reduceandeliminaterestraintandseclusion:Webelievein theuseofcalmingtools,healingenvironmentsandtrauma informedcare.We will worktoensurethatrestraintandseclusion reductionandeliminationisapriorityacrossALLsystems.These traumatizinganddangerouspracticesmustend.

 Supporttheuseofcomfortandsensorytoolsinallchildren’s

settings.

Standardizetrainingandreportingrequirementsacrossall systems.

Mandatereportingandmonitoringofrestraintandseclusion instancesinallstatelicensedprograms.

 Ensureallchildren’sservicesaretraumainformed.

Continuecross-systemspartnershipstoaddressthe systemicissueslendingtoinstancesofrestraintand seclusion.Ensureself-advocacygroupsandalllevelsof governmentandserviceproviderleadershipareengaged.

StrengthenLGBTQAIrightsandpubliceducation:Community centersfocusedonLesbian,Gay,Bisexual,Transgender,Queer orQuestioningAsexualandIntersex(LGBTQAI)areanessential resourceforyoungpeople.However,supportshouldnotbe

limitedtothesecenters.Allhealthandhumanservicesshouldbe equippedtosupportandintegrateLGBTQAIyouthwiththe highestlevelofrespect.

Ensuretransgenderyouthareabletoidentifybythename andgendertheychooseincommunity,residentialand hospitalsettings.

Increaseopportunitiesforyoungpeoplewhoidentifyas LGBTQItoparticipatein workforcedevelopmentandtraining eventsaseducators.

Wesupporteffortstoincreasetraumainformedpracticein NewYorkState.Supportfundingfortrainingintraumainformed practicesthroughoutthefollowingsystems:DOH,OCFS,OMH, OASAS,OPWDD,NYSED,SUNY,CUNY,ACCES-VR,andDOL.

ImplementationoftheADAandOlmstead:Peoplewith disabilitieshavetherighttoreceiveservicesandsupportsin settingsthatdonotsegregatethemfromtheircommunities.We supportincreasingeffortstosystemicallyaddressthe implementationandenforcementoftheselaws.Includemore socialmarketingandpubliceducationofavailableadvocacyand reportingresourcesforindividualswithdisabilitiesandtheir families.

 SupporttheDisabilityIntegrationAct

YouthQuotes:

“I’mtotallyagainstrestraints.I feellikeananimalwhenthey

restrainme.I felt likeaprisonerandworthless.”–LongIsland

“Servicesaren’talwaysculturallycompetentwithLGBTQinthese

smalltowns,mostpeopledon’tevenknowitisaculture.”–

CentralRegion

“IfI tellyoumynameisJessicaI shouldbeableto usethe women’sroom.”–NewYorkCity

(Whathelps?)“Beingabletobereleasedonyourowntocryand feelyourfeelingswithoutsomeonestaringatyouthrougha window.”(seclusions)-CentralRegion

“WeneedliteracyonwhatLGBTQis,thatitisnotjustatermbut

relateittoapersonandexperience.”–NewYorkCity

RIGHTS ANDPROTECTIONSCONTINUED:

Medicationpracticesacrosssystems:Toofrequentlyyoung peoplespeakaboutthefeelingof beingover-medicated.We deservetobeeducatedandinvolvedinmedicationdecisions.We believetherearemanymisusesandabusesofpsychiatric medicationsinchild-servingsystems.Inmanycases,theseare directviolationsofhumanrights.Wemustincreasemonitoringof prescribingpracticesandtheiroutcomes.

Createsystemicapproachestoaddresstheuseof prescribedmedicationstocontrolbehaviorininstitutional andcongregatecaresettings.

Ensureeducationandinformedchoiceforyouthabout medicationsandtreatmentplanning.

Monitorprescribingpracticesinstateoperatedprograms especiallyinregardtomedicationsthatarenotapprovedfor usewithchildren.

StoptheflowofNewYorkStatetaxdollarstotheJudge RotenbergCenterandensureaversiveinterventionsarenotused onyoungpeople.TheJudgeRotenbergCenter’s(JRC)practices havebeencondemnedastortureU.N.SpecialRapporteurson Torture,ManfredNowakandJuanMendez.NewYorkState

financiallysupportstheplacementofalargepercentageof studentsatJRC.

Ensureparentsarefullyeducatedonalternativeoptionsfor support.

 AddressthelackofsufficientservicesinNewYorkState.

WesupporttheCouncilonChildrenandFamilies’workto reduceoutofstateplacements.Theseeffortsshould maintaintheExecutiveOffice’sattentionandsupport.

WecallupontheFoodandDrugAdministration(FDA)to bantheuseofGraduatedElectronicDecelerator(GED) devices.

YouthQuotes:

“Theyforcedmetogoon medswithouttalkingtome.”-Central

Region

Weneed“educationaboutmedsfrommorethanonesource, includingasourcethatisnotfundedbypharmaceutical corporations.”–WesternRegion

“Knowingthatyouareallowedto speakupandaskques-tions. Thatnoquestionisstupidandyouhavearightto know.I have beeninsomanysituationswhereI thoughtI justhadtogoalong withthingsorthoughtI shouldnotaskastupidquestion.”–Long Island

“Idon’tevenknowwhatitisforbutit’sgoinginmybody.I have therighttoknowwhatitisfor.”–NewYorkCity

“Ishouldnotneedtoaskwhatthesymptomsare,theyshouldtell me.”–HudsonRiver

EDUCATION:

Developperformance-basedassessments.Inlieuofeach Regentsexam,studentsshouldbeallowedtodemonstratetheir knowledgeandskillsthroughState-developedand/orapproved performance-basedassessments,completingaseriesof tasks/projectsincontextsthatarefamiliarandrelevanttotheir highschoolexperiences.WerecommendthattheStatereview theexperiencesofMaryland,WashingtonandNewJersey,allof whichhaveprovidedstudentswithperformance-basedoptionsin lieuofstandardizedtests.

Supportinitiativestoenhance“DeeperLearning”inNewYork State(NYS)includingthedevelopmentofaportfoliobased graduationoption.Deeperlearningpreparesstudentstobe college and21stcenturycareerready.It teachesstudentstothink criticallyandsolvecomplexproblems,workcollaboratively, communicateeffectively,andbeself-directedandableto incorporatefeedback.

Changethenumberofexitexamsrequiredtograduatefrom

5to3.Thefederalgovernmentdoesnotrequirestudentstopass exitexamsinordertograduatefromhighschool.Infact,only24 statescurrentlyrequirestudentstopassexitexamstograduate. Of thosestatesthatrequireexitexams,NewYorkStatehassome ofthemostoneroustestingrequirements.Werecommendthat

theStaterequirenomorethantheEnglishRegents,oneMath Regents,andoneScienceRegentsforgraduation.Maintaining examrequirementsinthesesubjectswouldgivetheStatethe flexibilitytousetheseassessmentstocomplywithfederaltesting requirements.AllotherRegentsexamswouldremainoptionaland availableforstudentswhochoosetotaketheminorderto

graduatewithaRegentsDiplomawithHonorsorAdvanced RegentsDiploma.Thenumber,types,andsequenceofcredits requiredto graduatewouldnotbeaffected.Studentsstillwould havetofulfillthesamecourserequirementstoreceiveahigh schooldiploma.

Disabilitycivilrightshistoryshouldbetaughtinschools: SupportlegislationrequiringthatDisabilityHistoryAwarenessbe taughtaspartoftherequiredNYScurriculum.

Increaseaccess,availabilityandawarenessofassistive technology.Assistivetechnologycanmakeasubstantial differenceinayoungperson’sabilitytodotheirschoolwork. Manyyoungpeoplewithdisabilitiesarenotawareoftheirability torequestassistivetechnologydevices.Studentsshouldbe educatedontheirrightsandprovidedwithcurrentassistive technology.

Increaseself-advocacyresourcesandeducationinschools. YoungpeoplewithIndividualizedEducationPlans(IEP)and504 plansshouldbetaughthowtoadvocatefortheaccommodations theyneedinpost-secondaryeducationandemployment.The NYSEDshouldprovideeducationalsessionsforstudentswith IEPsonbuildingself-advocacyskills.

YouthQuotes:

“Ipassedall myregentsexamsexceptforTrig.BecauseI didnot

passTrigI didnotreceiveaRegentsdiploma.”–CentralRegion

“Theaddedpressureofregentsshutskidsthatstruggleoutof electivesthatwouldhelpthemdeterminetheirpassionsandgoals inlife.I havenoroomforcomputergraphicsclassesorart because ofextramathorELA.”-YP!StatewideEducationsurvey

“Itrymybestandworkhardeverydayinschoolandthinkthat shouldcountforsome-thing.ItmakesmeangrythatI maynot receiveahighschooldiplomabecauseI can'tpassatest.Why bothergoingtoschoolifatestscoretellsmeI can'tgraduate.”

–CentralRegion

SupporttheBantheBoxinhighereducationcampaignto passlegislationthatwouldbanthecriminalhistorycheckboxon highereducationadmissionformstoreduceasignificantbarrierto futureemployment.If enactedintolaw,publicandprivatecolleges anduniversitiesinNewYorkStatewouldbebarredfromasking aboutcriminalhistoryontheircollegeapplications.These screeningscreateanunjustadmissionprocesswhichscreensout applicantswhichcouldincludeyouthwhohavecommittedcrimes.

EMPLOYMENT:

Employmentisoftenseenasthesuccessfuloutcomeof governmentfundedservices;yet,disabilityemploymentrates havebarelychangedsincetheAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct (ADA)wasenacted.Bymakingagreaterinvestmentininitiatives toincreaseyoungpeople’sself-advocacyandemploymentskills wewillchangethistrend.

Increaseopportunitiesforyoungpeopletoadviseonthe implementationoftheWorkforceInnovationandOpportunity Act.

Utilizeyoungpeopletotrainworkforceprofessionalson youthengagementandsupportingself-advocacy.

Continuetoenhanceintegratedsupportiveemployment programsforyoungpeoplewithdisabilities.

Createmoreopportunitiesforyouthinfostercaretogain employmentskillsandjobplacements.

Continuetaxincentivesforbusinessesemployingyoung peoplewithdisabilitiesandexperienceinsystemssuchas fostercare,juvenilejustice,mentalhealthandaddiction treatment.

TRANSPORTATION:

Transportationisoneofthelargestbarriersforyoungpeopleto participateincommunityprograms,gainemployment,and maintainindependentliving.Thefullaccessibilityofthepublic transportationsystemiscrucial.Youngpeoplemustbeeducated onhowtousepublictransportationalongwiththeirrightsand responsibilities.

 EnsureallbusroutesandraillinesmeetADAstandards.

Increasetransportationeducationprogramsthatcanbe linkedwithhumanandsocialservices.

If publictransportationisnotavailabletogettoservices alternativetransportationoptionsshouldbeprovided.

HEALTHCARE:

Thehealthcaresystemisundergoinganextensivetransformation withtheAffordableCareAct. Youngpeopleshouldhave meaningfulparticipationintheeffortstoredesignMedicaidand implementmanagedcare.Wemustcreateasystemthatis culturallycompetent,family-drivenandyouth-guided.

SexualHealth:Youngpeoplewithdisabilitiesarenotafforded enoughopportunitiestolearnabouthealthyrelationshipsand sexualhealth.Theconversationswithserviceprovidersand

familymembersisoftenuncomfortableandunproductive. Increasepubliceducationonthisissue.

Expandadolescentsexualhealtheducationprogramsto includesubstantiveinformationonyoungpeoplewith disabilities.

YouthQuotes:

“Ineedtoknowtowhatextentdo youdisclosedisabilityforjobs.”

-FearofdiscriminationintheWesternRegion

“Sometimesit’s notaboutgettingthejobit’s aboutmaintainingit.”

–NewYorkCity

“Don’tliketalkingtoemployersbecauseifI do,theyuse itasa

righttodenymethejob.”–CentralRegion

REFORMINGTHEJUSTICESYSTEM:

ImproveJuvenileJustice.Theunnecessaryincarcerationof youthmustend.Weneedmorecommunitysupportsandyouth developmentprogramsasamethodofprevention.Disparitiesthat includeanoverrepresentationof youngpeopleof colorand disabilitystatusmustbeaddressed.

Increaseregularandconsistentyouthadvisorymethods withinjuvenilejustice.

 Fundfamilyandyouthpeersupportlinkedtofacilities.

Raisetheageofcriminalresponsibilityto18andreformthe JuvenileJusticesystembypassingcomprehensivelegislation that:

Raisetheoverallageofjuvenilejurisdictionto18,whichis consistentwithotherstates;

Ensurenoyouthwhois16or 17yearsoldisplacedinan adultjailorprison;

Amendsthelawtoensureparentalnotificationuponthe arrestofa16or17yearoldandensure16and17yearolds areinterviewedusingdevelopmentallyappropriatepractices;

Betteraddressesthecollateralconsequencesofcourt involvementforyouth;

Increasesinvestmentsinthefront-enddiversionservices thatkeep youthintheircommunitiesratherthan incarceration.Thesealternativestodetention,placement andincarcerationservicesarelessexpensiveandmore effectiveatreducingrecidivism;and

Originatesasmanycasesof16and17 yearoldsinFamily courtaspossible;creatingYouthPartsinadultcourtfor remainingcases,andapplyingtheFamilyCourtActtoas manyaspossible,regardlessofwhichcourthousein which thecaseisheard.

Increasecommunityprogramsfordiversegroupsofyoung peopletohavepositiveinteractionswiththepolice.Police oftenarenotfamiliarwiththeuniqueneedsof youngpeopleand rarelygettoseetheminapositiveenvironment.Byofferingthese programsincommunitiespoliceandyoungpeoplecanbuilda betterunderstandingofeachotherandfosterpartnerships.

HOUSING:

Increasegrantopportunitiesandtaxsubsidiesforlandlords toin-creaseaccessibilityfeaturesofhousingunits.Integrated

accessiblehousingisfartoolimited.Thestateshoulddomoreto incentivizetheprivatesectortoexpandhousingoptionsfor peoplewithdisabilities.

Increaseintegratedsupportivehousingunitsforyoung adultswithdisabilities.Youngpeopleareoftenplacedin housingunitswithpeoplemucholderthantheyare.Thiscreates anunnaturalenvironment.Youngpeoplewanttohave roommatestheirownage.Ensuretargetedyoungadult supportivehousingunitsincreasedforyoungadultswith psychiatricordevelopmentaldisabilities.Thenewlypromised

35,000NewYorkCitysupportivehousingunits(over15years)

shouldincludetargetedunitsfor youngadults.

Strengthenthehousingsubsidyprogramforfosteryouth. Eachyearapproximately1,300NewYorkyouthageoutoffoster care.Asmanyasone-thirdof youthwhoageoutoffostercare experiencehomelessness,andmanymoreexperienceunstable housingarrangements.Toensurethehousingsubsidyisbetter abletostabilizehousingforfamiliesandyouth,theStateshould: increasethemonthlyhousingsubsidyallowanceto $600(from

$300);increasetheupperagelimiteligibilityfrom21to24sothat youthwhoageoutoffostercareat21canavailthemselvesofthe subsidyforupto3 years;andallowyouthreceivingthehousing subsidytolive withunrelatedroommates.

YouthQuotes:

“Youthshouldbetaughtwhattosaywhenapproachedbycops.”

–LongIsland

“Stopputtingpeopleinjailifitisnotgoingtohelpthembe successfulafterjail,somepeopledon’tjustneedto learna lesson,theyneedactualhelp.”–CentralRegion

“Putyouwithpeopleyourage,notolderpeople.”–LongIsland

“Weneedaffordablehousingafterfostercarenotjustthrough welfareandsection8.”–CentralRegion

“Weneedaccessibleandaffordablehousingforindividuals diagnosedwithaMentalIllnessduringandaftercollege.”–Central Region

FACE:FosterAdvocacyChangeEmpowerment

BeginningFebruary2016,YP!hasbeenawardedfundsfromthe RedlichHorwitzFoundationto integrateFACEintotheYP! network.ThemissionofFACEistoempoweryouthinfostercare toadvocateforthemselvesandchangelegislationthatdirectly affectstheirlives,sothatyouthcanreceivethesupportneededto becomehealthyandvibrantadults.

FOSTERCARE:

Youthdeserveandneedlove.Wemusthavethebestquality environmenttogrowandhavetheopportunitytomakeinformed choicesandnotbesegregatedfromourcommunitiesandpeers.

Investintargetedcommunity-basedfamilystrengthening thatutilizesFamilyand YouthPeerAdvocateswithlived experience.

ExpandtheFamilyAssessmentResponse(FAR),an alternativetoCPSthatprotectschildrenbyengaging

familiesandprovidingsupportserviceswithout“indicating”a

case.

Strengthenthehousingsubsidyprogramforfosteryouthin transition.

Investinthechildwelfareworkforce–frompreventive servicestoChildProtectiveServicestofostercaretoFamily and YouthPeerAdvocates.

Supportfosteryouthattendingcollege.Onlytwotoseven percentoffosteryouthcompletea two-orfour-yeardegree. However,youthwhograduatefromcollegehaveahigherchance ofsecuringandretainingemploymentinadulthood.TheState mustinvestinouryouthinfostercarebyrenewingitsinvestment intheFosterCollegeSuccessInitiativeandincreasingfundingto

$4.5milliontosupportyouthpursuinghighereducationwho eitherareorhadbeeninfostercare.

SocialSecurityAdministrationshouldmodifyitspolicyto allow youthinfostercaretoapplyforSSIbenefits9months priortodischarge.CurrentSSApolicyrecognizesthat Youth transitioningoutoffostercareneedtheincomesupportand

healthservicesthatresultfromSSIeligibilitytoeasethetransition toindependentliving.Thoughthe90-dayperiodisastepinthe rightdirection,fosteryouthcontinuetoexperiencegapsinSSI benefitsunderthecurrentpolicy.InordertoachieveSSA’sgoal

ofnotlettingthesevulnerableyouthfallthroughthecracks,the SSAshouldchangethispolicytoallowmoretimeforthe applicationprocess.

YouthQuotes:

“Kidswhogointofosterjustcamefromabadsituation.Foster parentsneedtoknowhowtohandleemotionaldisturbances.”- HudsonRiverRegion

“Agenciesdon’tevaluateusfully.I wasneverdiagnosedinfoster

carebuthavebeendiagnosedtwice.”-NewYorkCity

MENTALHEALTH:

Ensurecommunity-basedmentalhealthcareis available, affordableandsustainable.

 Ensureadequateratesforchildren’sclinicstomaintain

qualityservicesandawell-trainedwork-force.

Makecommunity-basedservicesavailablebeforeacrisisor threatofhospitalizationorresidentialplacement.

Increasetrainingtoadultserviceprofessionalsontheneeds andcultureof youngadults.

Improvecoordinationwiththeeducationsystemtoensure youthtransitioningfromresidentialandinpatientsettingsare gettinganappropriateeducationandearncreditsthatwill leadtoadiploma.

Increasefundingfor youth-guided,family-drivenanti-stigma campaigns.

EnsurePeerAdvocatesareintegratedintothetreatment teams.

Providetrainingsforprovidersonimplementingyouth-guided practices.

Traintheworkforceontheroleof a YouthPeerAdvocate andhowtobestintegratethemintothetreatmentteam.

 Providefundsforpeerworkforcerecruitmentevents.

FundYouthPeerAdvocacytrainingsandcontinuing education.

DEVELOPMENTALDISABILITIES:

Addressthechallengespeoplewithdualdiagnosesface whileseekingservices.

ImprovetheprocessbetweenOMHandOPWDDforyouth toreceivebothmentalhealthanddevelopmentaldisability servicesinatimelyfashion.

SupportAutismAcceptanceCampaigns:Supportcampaigns thataredevelopedbyautisticpeopletopromoteacceptanceof neurodiversity.Itisimportanttobuildanunderstandingofthe feelingsanddesiresoftheautisticindividual.Onlythroughthis autisticpeer-drivenapproachwill peopletrulyunderstandautism andthoseaffectedbyit.

YouthQuotes:

“Weneedmorecommunityeventsandactivities.Notonlyabout MentalHealth,butthingstodoin thecommunitytodecrease boredom,druguse,anddepression.”–CentralRegion

“Whydoyouhavetobehospitalizedtwicetogetintoprograms thatcanhelpavoidhospitalization?”–LongIsland

“WeneedfundstotrainandcompensateYouthAdvocates.”–

NewYorkCity

ADDICTION:

Youngpeople’sexposuretodrugsandalcoholisaserious

concern.Drugsaretooeasilyavailableandtheoverdose statisticsarestaggering.Weareinthemiddleofanopiate epidemicandthereis ariseintheuseofdangeroussynthetics.

Supportthestate’seffortstooutlawsynthetics.Youngpeople areatriskofendingupinthehospitalorinjailbecausetheydo not understandthedangersofsynthetics.Wesupporttheefforts of OMHOASAStoaddresstheavailabilityofsyntheticsonand aroundtheirresidencesandtheState’seffortstooutlawthe productionandsalesofsynthetics.Thestatemustaddressthe targetingofat-riskyouthandvulnerablepopulations.

Createmoresocialopportunitiesforyouththatarerecovery oriented.

Providesmallgrantsandincentivesforbetterlinkages betweentreatmentandpreventionproviderswithyouth developmentprograms,afterschoolactivities,and communitycenters.

Increaseyouth-guidedpractices.Youngpeopleshouldbeat thetablehelpingtoguidetheadolescentandyoungadult treatmentsystem.

Createwaystoobtainconsistentyouthinputthrougha fundedstatewideyouthadvisorybody.

Providetrainingsforprovidersonimplementingyouth-guided practices.

Traintheworkforceontheroleof a YouthPeerAdvocate andhowtobestintegratethemintothetreatmentteam.

Improvefamilyengagementintreatment.Youngpeopleoften describethedifficultiesofengagingfamilyintreatment.Youthare

frequentlyplacedinaprogramthatisalongdistancefromtheir familyandtherearemanyotherreasonsfamilyengagementcan bechallenging.

WeurgeOASAStoexploreinnovativeapproachestofamily engagementincludingvideocommunications.

Maintainfundingforpubliceducationcampaignstobolster publicawarenessmessagesandpreventdrugabuseanduse suchastheCombatHeroinNYcampaignandpublicservice announcementsonthedangersofsynthetics.

Passlegislation(A.355)torequirecontinuingmedical educationforanyonewithauthoritytoprescribeopioids (pursuanttoStateEducationLaw)withacurriculumthatincludes painmanagementandaddictiontoreduceabuseandoverdoseof controlledprescriptiondrugs.

PromotegreaterintegrationofprogramsundertheOfficeof

MentalHealthandOfficeofAlcoholismandSubstance

AbuseServicestosupportprogramsthatworktogethertobetter serveyouth,youngpeopleandtheirfamiliesandmoreeffectively supporttheirrecoveryjourneys.

YouthQuotes:

“Youthshouldbetaughtbypeoplewithlivedexperience.Notjust

drugarebadbuttheactualeffectsanddangers.”-LongIsland

“Therearesomanynewandtrendingdrugsand exposure/targetingtowardsyoungpeople,thisneedstobe addressed.”–CentralRegion

“Familiesshouldnotsupportuse.Educatepeopleandfamilieson

addictionssothattheycanbemoresupportiveifrelapse. Familiesshouldhelpnotinstigate.”–CentralRegion

YP!membershelpadvancethePriorityagendaby:

 ServingontheStatewideActionWorkingGroup

 Joiningaregionalteam

 Bringingtheagendatomeetingsandspeakingtotheissues

 ParticipatinginaYP!inputsession,forumorotherevent

 Spreadingthewordthroughsocialmedia

 Sharingpersonalexperienceswithpolicymakers

StatewideActionWorkingGroup

Actiondevelopsprojectstoadvanceourpriorityagenda.Our membershavea lottosayandthisgroupmakessureweare heard.Theycreatecampaignsandtakeaction.Workgroup memberswillalsomeetwithgovernmentofficialsandorganize opportunitiesforyouthtoSpeakUpandSpeakOut!Tojoinorfor moreinfo,contactusat .

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Acronyms

ACCES-VR:AdultCareerandContinuingEducationServices: VocationalRehabilitation

ACA:AffordableCareAct

ADA:AmericanswithDisabilitiesAct

CBO:Community-BasedOrganizationCCF:CouncilonChildren andFamilies

CCSI:CoordinatedChildren’sServicesInitiative

CPS:ChildProtectiveServices

CRPD:Conventionoftherightsofpersonswithdisabilities

CTAC:CommunityTechnicalAssistanceCenter

CUNY:CityUniversityofNewYork

DCJS:DivisionofCriminalJusticeServices

DOH:DepartmentofHealth

DOL:DepartmentofLaborDSRIP:DeliverySystemReform IncentivePaymentProgramFPA:FamilyPeerAdvocateHARP: HealthandRecoveryPlansHCBS:HomeandCommunityBased Services

IEP:IndividualizedEducationPlan

ILC:IndependentLivingCenter

LGBTQAI:Lesbian,Gay,Bisexual,Transgender,Queeror

Questioning,Asexual,andIntersex

LOB:LegislativeOfficeBuilding

MCO:ManagedCareOrganization

MRT:MedicareRedesignTeamMCTAC:ManagedCare

TechnicalAssistanceCenter

NYSED:NewYorkStateEducationDepartment/Serious

EmotionalDisturbance

NCD:NationalCouncilonDisability

OASAS:OfficeofAlcoholismandSubstanceAbuseServices

OCFS:Officeof ChildandFamilyServices

OMH:Officeof MentalHealth

OPWDD:OfficeforPeoplewithDevelopmentalDisabilities

SED:StateEducationDepartment/SeriousEmotionalDisturbance

SNP:SpecialNeedsPlanSOC:SystemsofCare

SSA:SocialSecurityAdministration SSI:SupplementalSecurityIncome SUNY:StateUniversityofNewYork RYP:RegionalYouthPartner

TAY:TransitionAge Youth

TIC:TraumaInformedCare

WIOA:WorkforceInnovationandOpportunityAct

YPA:YouthPeerAdvocate