New York State Youth Network

1. New York State Youth Network A Part of Families Together in New York State The New York State Partner of the National Youth Leadership Network (NYLN) 2010

2. Our HistoryYouth Voice at the State Level In 1999 the New York State Youth Advisory Council to the Office of Mental Health was formed to advise the Commissioner and the Bureau of Children and Families. Adult peers coordinated the council Stephanie, Dwayne, Shannon & Vickie outside the White House 1999 Through our work at the state level we were able to work on the restraint & seclusion regulations, transition, suicide prevention work, and give perspective on the way services were rolled out. We also were able to develop the Choice Thru Voice Project which has been recognized nationally. We are still continuing to do a lot of the work we started then.

3. Our HistoryFamilies Together In 2002 the OMH Youth Advisory Council sent a letter to Families Together in NYS requesting that they increase youth involvement. The letter requested: • At least 2 young people appointed to the board of directors • Youth-run, youth sponsored workshops at annual and local conferences and trainings • Funding and support for peer advocacy trainings for youth • Promotion of youth involvement through Families Together newsletter and website • Hiring youth who have received or have received mental health services as staff for Families Together • A call from Families Together to its members to recognize the value of youth involvement We now have all of these things.

4. Recent History 2005 • Stephanie Orlando was hired as the Statewide Youth Coordinator of Families Together in NYS. This was possible through funding by the NYS Office of Mental Health. 2006 • Held the first Peer Led Youth Track at the Families Together Annual Conference 2007 • Christina Felix became the first Youth Representative on the Families Together Board of Directors • We take on the name YOUTH POWER! • We Hired a YOUTH POWER! Coordinator • We developed a training curriculum • The YOUTH POWER! Advisory Board was developed 2008 • YP! becomes a cross-disability network and becomes a State Partner of the National Youth Leadership Network (NYLN) • Families Together has 3 Youth Members on the Board of Directors • Developed our first Youth Policy Agenda • Contributed to the development of the Children’s Plan • Awarded funding for a Latina Adolescent Suicide Prevention Awareness Campaign

5. What is YOUTH POWER! Now? YOUTH POWER! is the New York State network of young people who have been labeled and are seeking change. Together, we have decided to speak up about our experiences because no one knows what it is like for us better than we do. Through peer to peer mentoring, we empower young people to be active citizens that are aware of government operations, their rights and the ability to use their voices to influence policies, practices, regulations and laws. We are young people helping other people, ensuring availability of self-help and peer support while changing systems so that young people get the support they need with the respect and dignity they deserve. NOTHING ABOUT US WITHOUT US!

6. Leadership • The YOUTH POWER! Advisory Board is the guiding force of all of the network’s work and activities. • The board meets once or twice a month through a free conference call line. Current Board Priorities Are: • Working toward becoming our own non-profit organization • Writing bylaws • Leading the Working Groups • Recruiting and engaging members • Fundraising • Guiding the work of YP! • Advocacy for our 2010 • Priority Agenda

7. Working Groups Outreach Workgroup The workgroup creates ways to grow the YOUTH POWER! Network and strengthen its voice. The workgroup will reach out to our current members regularly for input and to keep them engaged. Promotional materials, media and YP! news will be led by this group. Special Events Workgroup The workgroup takes the lead in planning our YOUTH POWER! major events such as the Families Together in NYS annual conference youth track and our Annual Statewide Summer Youth Leadership Forum. Action Workgroup – Speak Out The Workgroup leads YOUTH POWER!’s advocacy efforts to make sure our voices are heard and changes are made. Action creates the YOUTH POWER! annual policy/priority agenda with input from our membership and community youth groups.

8. Priority Agenda • In 2008 the YP! Board surveyed youth across the state about what issues are the most important to them. Based on the results we created a 2008 New York State Youth Policy Agenda that was distributed in English and Spanish. We then had meetings with the NY Governors Health and Human Services office, Senator Rivera’s Office and the Commissioner of the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) to discuss the network and our policy agenda. • In 2009 we have created our second agenda and continued to set meetings and represent youth voice in the state government. • Our Action Working Group is leading the efforts for our 2010 Priority Agenda. Our Top 2010 Priority is the reduction and Elimination of Restraint and Seclusion across systems. What do we Want??!!

9. FTNYS Annual Conference • Workshops that are specially designed for young people by young people. In these Peer Run Youth Workshops young people learn self-help and advocacy skills. • The Annual Youth SPEAK OUTis an opportunity for youth to present their perspectives, opinions, concerns and hopes for the future.

10. Statewide Youth Leadership Forum August 10-12, 2010 we will hold our 3rd Annual Forum • Advocacy to Activism: Guest speakers that share information on Human Rights and how to create change. • “Leaders’ Dinner” so that youth can speak directly with commissioners and senior level state staff in a relaxed setting • Share information of local youth groups: Networking of young people who are active in their community. • Personal leadership development: Create a plan of action. • Give direction to the YOUTH POWER! Network: What we will be doing next. • Planned by the Special Events Workgroup

11. Trainings YOUTH POWER! offers a variety of trainings that are custom designed to fit many needs. Trainings for youth and youth groups are offered in the following areas: • Empowerment- Self responsibility, having a positive self-image & confronting internalized negative self beliefs, creating a goals plan, working on self-control, etc. • Self-Help- Speaking up for yourself, advocacy skills, how to learn your rights, meeting attendance skills, reaching out for help, having a plan of action to get your needs met, etc. • Peer Support- basics of one on one support & facilitating support groups • Peer Advocacy- Helping others have their voice heard • Systems Advocacy- How to effect and create systems change, introduction to advanced

12. Mentoring Project • Led by the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL www.iel.org ) the "Ready to Achieve Mentoring Program" (RAMP) will provide high-tech career-focused mentoring and is designed to address the over-representation of youth with disabilities in the juvenile justice system. • YOUTH POWER! (YP!) is one of several organizations to partner with IEL to deliver this project nationally.   • YP! will be working with Families Together in Albany County, Chemung County Children's Integrated Services and the Regional Center for Independent Living in Wayne County to deliver this program on a local level • This project is funded for three years by the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

13. Regional Youth Partners In five regions of the state YP! has one full-time employee that is a young adult with personal experience in receiving services from multiple state systems. These young adults are charged with networking youth involvement on a regional level and assisting local youth peer support and advisory councils to develop, build advocacy skills and grow strong. The RYP acts as a facilitator, ensuring meaningful two-way communication between child-serving agencies and the young people using their services.

14. Employees of YOUTH POWER! • Director: Responsible for overseeing the grant responsibilities and directing network administrative functions & funding. Also is the supervisor of statewide YP! employees. • Associate Director: Responsible for supporting, supervising, and ensuring training of the 5 regional youth partners. • Coordinator: 65% time responsible for coordinating the RAMP grant statewide, including reporting of outcomes and financial invoices. 35% time spent supporting the board and workgroups. • Regional Youth Partners: Coordinate regional youth voice (5) • Systems Advocate : Part-time employee that works on Office of Mental health Advocacy and assists with the engagement of diverse populations

15. NEW York State Partner of The National Youth Leadership Network (NYLN) The National Youth Leadership Network is a youth-driven, youth-led organization comprised of young adult leaders with disabilities.  The network strives to promote leadership development and education ensuring that all youth with disabilities have the opportunity to attain their maximum, unique, and personal potential. The NYLN: • Promotes leadership development, education, employment, independent living, and health and wellness among young leaders representing the diversity of race, ethnicity and disability in the United States. • Fosters the inclusion of young leaders with disabilities into all aspects of society at national, state and local levels. • Communicates about issues important to youth with disabilities and the policies and practices that affect their lives. • www.nyln.org

16. Tips For Engaging Young People in Systems Advocacy

17. Evaluate Your Readiness • Some questions to ask are: • What is it going to mean to your organization/community? • What is the level of commitment? Is everyone on board? • How comfortable is the organization with youth speaking up? Would adults feel comfortable serving on committees, workgroups, etc. with youth as equal partners at the table? • What will the organization do with the input you receive? Will you take action?

18. Optimizing Youth Leadership From: Technical Assistance Partnership “Youth Involvement in Systems of Care: A guide to Empowerment”, January 2005,

19. Optimizing Youth Leadership From: Technical Assistance Partnership “Youth Involvement in Systems of Care: A guide to Empowerment”, January 2005,

20. Optimizing Youth Leadership in Organizations Adapted from Young Wisdom Project-Movement Strategy Center, “Making Space, Making Change: Profiles of Youth-Led and Youth Driven Organizations,” 2004, p.16.

21. Partners for Meaningful Youth Engagement • Adult-Youth Partnerships • Serving as an Adult Ally • Engaging Peer Allies • Empowering Youth Partners

22. Making Meetings Accessible to Youth • Scheduling of Meetings • Providing information • Briefing before and after the meeting • Support during the meeting • Clear on role and expectations of everyone • Transportation • Stipends & Incentives • Feedback and information on next steps • Recognition of contribution

23. Sustaining Youth Involvement • Engage youth in peer to peer mentoring. This will help with constant recruitment, team mentality and sustainability of the group. • Instill a sense of ownership • Provide social and personal incentives to the young people. • Demonstrate Progress and reliability • Celebrate Achievements

24. Keys to success • Learn to share power and engage youth as partners. • Be clear about expectations and boundaries. • Provide information to youth in clear language they can understand. Consider using technology and other forms of communication actively used by youth. • Give them the tools they need to self-advocate. Including working on informed decision making skills. • Listen to the youth. Ask them questions to ensure they are understanding the material you are working on. • Build trust by following through with your responsibilities and commitments. Do not ever say you can do something you can not.

25. Keys to success • Keep youth active and engaged through regular contact. (It is good to establish youth leaders as point people they can contact other members.) • Educate on the disability history and how it relates to current advocacy efforts. • Let them take ownership of a project of their choice. Provide support and guidance, perhaps even examples but let the choice be theirs. (be sure to remember to explain boundaries before they design their project)

26. Attitudes • Address attitudes adults may have about age and ability. • Always take a strength based approach and model respect of generational cultures. • The youth are the next generation of leaders. Teach, model, and provide them opportunities to gain leadership experience.

27. Connecting • Connect the youth serving programs within your organization and with community partners. • When seeking outside support: • Bring youth leaders with you to present. • Clearly state what your program does and what it would like support in doing • Do not offer any support you can not give.

28. Go all the way! Once you have youth engaged as leaders and your organization has full value of youth input you should start to involve young people in the governance of the organization. This includes nomination to the board of directors, interviewing potential staff, hiring young people as staff, etc.

29. What is the future of youth leadership in your community? • What are you already doing? • What would you like to do? • What are some barriers? • What supports are available? • What are some initial steps to take?

30. We are Young. We are Strong. We are Phone: 518-432-0333 Toll Free: 1-888-326-8644 youthpower@ftnys.org Visit our webpage to find out more and to add us on Facebook and Myspace http://www.ftnys.org/youthpower.cfm