Multiple Systems Navigator

NYS Developmental Disabilities Planning Council

Newsletter: May 2022

This newsletter will include announcements on News, Learn to Lead Sexuality Education Classes for People with Developmental Disabilities, University of Youth Power!, and webinars from the Southern Tier Special Education Task Force.

988 is the new FCC-designated three-digit number that connects people to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. New York State is working to create a robust, comprehensive crisis response system, available to all New Yorkers. This system includes someone to call, someone to come, and somewhere to go when experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis. The implementation of 988 on July 16, 2022, is integral to this process.

Click here to learn more: Information is available in English and Spanish.

Supporting Student Mental Health

- A highlight of innovative strategies to promote wellness -

Please join the NYS Office of Mental Health to learn more about positive behavioral interventions, coping strategies, and assessments that are being used to support students. Together we will explore the implementation process, discuss challenges and successes, and share lessons learned throughout the process of doing this innovative work.

Child Mind Institute

Rising Scientist Awards

Every year, the Child Mind Institute recognizes five high school students who demonstrate exceptional early achievement in psychology, neuroscience, or biomedical engineering research.

Rising Scientist winners each receive a $2,000 scholarship for college expenses. We are now accepting nominations from teachers of eligible students for the 11th Annual Child Mind Institute Rising Scientist Awards, presented in partnership with Hunter College. Winners will be notified in August. 

We encourage nominations for high school students from groups that have faced historical barriers. We are committed to advancing science that represents all by recognizing and supporting the achievements of those from diverse backgrounds. 

The nomination period for the 2022 program runs from April 4 through July 5, 2022.

HEARS Family Line

(Help, Empower, Advocate, Reassure and Support)

1-888-554-3277

Monday - Friday (8:30 am - 4:30 pm)

On April 15, 2022, the NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) launched a new helpline to help parents and families. The HEARS family line assists parents and families by providing resources and referrals to a variety of services. Caring representatives guide families to services including food, clothing, housing, medical and behavioral health care services, parenting education, and childcare.

Representatives are available to help Monday through Friday from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.

On June 24-27 2022, Youth Power is hosting its eighth annual University of Youth Power IN PERSON, a for-youth-by-youth social justice conference that is modeled after a college experience. UYP is the premier youth peer leadership conference that provides Youth Peer Advocates and change agents the opportunity to build skills and expand their professional network. Young people ages 18 to 30 can register for this for-youth-by-youth social justice conference with a major of Peer Advocacy, Systems Advocacy, Recovery Advocacy with a specialty track for 14-24 year old’s called Disability Leadership.

Please save the date and join the two-day discussion, sharing and learning about Systems of Care reforms.
June 14 and 15, 2022

Jody Levinson-Johnson will be joining as a Keynote Speaker. Dr. Levinson-Johnson is the President & CEO of the Council on Accreditation. She previously served as the Assistant Vice President of Practice Improvement at the National Council for Behavioral Health, Chief Clinical Officer for a multi-state children’s care management organization, as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Louisiana Office of Behavioral Health, and as the Vice President of Coordinated Care Services, Inc. (CCSI) in NYS. Her experiences leading system reform efforts across the country prompted her interest in the environmental contexts that surround deep change in social and public systems.

Check back here to learn about the many other plans underway to support New York State’s collaborative work and systems change on behalf of children, youth and young adults and their families.

Have you or your family lost income recently?

You may be eligible for programs that help you get the food you need.

Get information on applying for SNAP and WIC during the COVID-19 outbreak, and learn how Hunger Solutions can help.

Community partners: For the 2.2 million people living in NYS households who struggle against hunger, COVID-19 presents unique challenges. As more schools, child care centers, and meal sites are impacted, additional families may lose access to the programs that improve their nutrition, health, and well-being. Hunger Solutions New York is working to provide updates on the operation of federal nutrition assistance programs that can help schools, community organizations, and families mitigate the impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus) on the food security of low-income people.

Hunger Solutions works to promote and maximize participation in key federal nutrition assistance programs.