In celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, New York State will host a weeklong series of listening sessions with state agencies to discuss issues impacting the AAPI community from Monday, May 17 through Friday, May 23 at 12:30 PM.

Register today! 

The Roots of Racism

Barbara Smith

May 25, 2021 (Tuesday) at 4:00 pm

United Way of the Greater Capital Region and our 21-Day Equity Challenge partners are honored to announce that Albany’s own world renowned author, activist and scholar, Barbara Smith, will be joining us for a virtual presentation titled “The Roots of Racism” on May 25th at 4:00 PM. 

June's Special

FTNYS Technical Assistance Webinar

FRIDAY, JUNE 4 ,2021

12:30 - 1:30 pm

Through special funding from Vibrant Emotional Health, 9-8-8 Planning Grants have been available to state mental health, behavioral health and public health agencies in all 50 U.S. States. This funding will be used to assist state agencies in planning for the implementation of a new, national, three-digit number for mental health crisis and suicide response (9-8-8).

Families Together in NYS YouthPower!

Thursday, May 27, 2021

4:00 - 5:00 pm

Some of the most influential leaders were wordsmiths, poets, emcees and writers during their youth. Spend some time with Alia & Zack to learn some poetry 101 and how to express your passion and leadership into captivating words! 

Nourishing Our Youngest Children

Updates and Resources for WIC, CACFP and P-EBT

Great News! WIC Remote Services Renewed Through Mid-August - New York State has made maximum use of existing program flexibilities to make it as easy as possible for children and families to participate in WIC during the COVID-19 health emergency. Clinics may serve participants remotely via telephone, text or videoconference, and remotely load WIC benefits onto eWIC cards.

More Great News! WIC Will Soon Triple Benefits for Fruits & Vegetables

The public forums will provide you the chance to give input on OPWDD’s strategic priorities, the use of funds from the American Rescue Plan and the development of the agency’s 5-year Statewide Comprehensive Plan.

OPWDD urges self-advocates, family members of people with developmental disabilities, advocates, and other interested parties to take part. We ask that each person take part in only one forum so that we can hear from as many people as possible. You may choose to provide spoken testimony at the event, submit written testimony or simply listen.

May 2021

News and Resources:

Parent Network of Western New York

Transition Partners

Call for Applications

Application Due Date: June 18, 2021

New York State Education Department has allocated funding from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, to Binghamton University and Fordham University to launch the New York State Cares for Communities (NYSCFC) initiative, designed to leverage support in identified communities most adversely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Families Together in New York State is delighted to announce the release of scholarships for the 7th Annual University of Youth Power (UYP). We encourage the education and empowerment of young people with social, emotional, behavioral health, and cross-system challenges by offering scholarships to the University of Youth Power (UYP).

New updates from ProActive Caring from "Tips for Stress-free Navigation of Kid's Education", "Mindful Family Stress Reduction" webinar series, and "Family Fun and Strategies for Parents" and more... 

NYSHealth Funding Opportunity Now Open:

"Advancing Healthy Food, Healthy Lives"

The New York State Health Foundation (NYSHealth) has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to support policies and programs that connect New Yorkers with the food they need to thrive.

Through this RFP, awards of up to $300,000 will be granted to organizations for New York-targeted projects. Competitive projects will be committed to improving racial and health equity in New York’s food system. 

Supplemental Security Income for Children with Disabilities

During our careers, we’ve helped many people receive Social Security. We know the positive effects of receiving these crucial benefit payments. We’ve seen how Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments can help keep children and teenagers with disabilities out of poverty. Many eligible children under age 18 continue to benefit from SSI’s monthly payment.

Child Mind Institute

We are pleased to announce that we are now accepting nominations for the 10th annual Child Mind Institute Rising Scientist Awards. Presented in partnership with Hunter College, the Rising Scientist Awards recognize five high school students who demonstrate exceptional early achievement in research in the fields of psychology, neuroscience, or biomedical engineering.

USDA Announces Child Nutrition Waivers
for the 2021-2022 School Year

Grant Opportunity:

Increasing Food Access in Schools in SY2021-2022

No Kid Hungry New York is announcing a grant opportunity to support New York school districts in maximizing participation in child nutrition programs in the 2021-2022 school year. School districts play an essential role in ensuring students receive nutritious meals to learn, grow and thrive to reach their full potential. This grant will provide funding to school districts across New York with a focus on those implementing or preparing to implement alternative delivery models such as Breakfast After the Bell. More information, including the link to apply, can be found here. Please note that the deadline to apply is May 28, 2021.

You can help us advance racial and social equity in employment for people with disabilities

Share your ideas for promoting equity in employment by joining a national online dialogue hosted by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, and Women's Bureau. 

The NYS DDPC has worked over the past year to draft our next 5-year State Plan. We are now asking people with disabilities, their families, staff, caregivers, and others to review our recommended plan and provide final comments.

Benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine

New York State Office of Mental Health has a new educational video on the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine. The video is in Spanish, and features Ms. Evelyn Mendez and Dr. Roger Beauplan from Pilgrim Psychiatric Center.

It is available here:

https://youtu.be/l0mgbBXzAHU

OMH’s previously distributed vaccination videos can be found here:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLr56qcghZ6Er_ZA8BCeSxBPBG_ZQqgcN6 

Sesame Workshop has always stood for diversity, inclusion, equity, and kindness. As part of Coming Together, our ongoing commitment to racial justice, today we released the “ABCs of Racial Literacy” resources to support families in talking to their children about race and racism.

Family Empowerment Program

Deadline to apply: April 9, 2021

Parents & Caregivers!

If you want to know more about special education, available supports and services, life after school, and how to speak up effectively, this series is for you!

NYeC believes in the power of health information to improve patient care and outcomes. That includes a belief that patients have a right to their own health data, and a right to decide with whom that data is shared.

Permanent Block of Public Charge
Rule Ensures that Immigrants Can Access
Critical Nutrition Programs

Starting immediately the 2019 U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) public charge rule that kept immigrants and their families from accessing public benefits, including SNAP, is no longer in effect.

Apúntate: Viernes de Bienestar y Salud Mental

ONA Webinar: El collage estructurado como estrategia para análisis de historias de vida y casos en la atención con población migrante.

ONA Webinar: Mi familia y yo caminamos de la mano del Arte como estrategia de crecimiento.

ONA Webinar: El proceso de Burnout en los Servidores de Migrantes: Contexto, el Sistema y Síntomas.

The ProActive Caring School & Home Transition Exchange

Registration Now Open!

In 2021, the ProActive Caring Program will offer a series of webcasts called The School & Home Transition Exchange. The programs will offer tools and resources for families living through the COVID-19 pandemic as they help their children identify opportunities for self-directed growth, expand social opportunities, and enhance the skills needed for living independently.

USDA Extends Summer Meal Program
Waivers Through September 30, 2021

USDA has extended nationwide summer meal program waivers through September 30, 2021, facilitating children's continued access to vital nutrition programs amid the ongoing impacts of COVID-19.

Capital District Latinos En Colaboración Con El Departamento De Salud Del Condado De Albany Estan Ofreciendo Una Oportunidad Para.

160 Central Ave Albany, NY 12206

Para registrarse, debe mandar un correo electrónico (email) a la siguiente dirección mjimenez@promesa.org, o llamar al (518) 801-9440, extensión 5081.

New Resources on SNAP Eligibility for Community College and Economic Opportunity Center Students

Hunger Solutions New York has released new and updated materials that reflect recent policy changes that expand SNAP eligibility to more low-income students, including college students.

New York state will offer free diapers at food banks amid ongoing COVID-19 recession

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is establishing a program to distribute free diapers through food banks throughout the state, starting as early as March.

“COVID-19 has piled challenge after challenge onto hardworking New York families, including the ability to afford the products they need to care for their children,” Cuomo said. New York’s statewide unemployment rate in December topped 8%, up from about 4% a year earlier.

Baby2Baby, a national nonprofit, will donate 20 million diapers to establish the “diaper bank.” Baby2Baby cofounders and Co-CEOs Norah Weinstein and Kelly Sawyer Patricof said they’ve seen a 350% increase in requests for diapers since the start of the pandemic almost a year ago. “You ask a low-income mom what her biggest struggle is, and she starts with diapers,” Weinstein said.

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 we 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.

We work to promote and maximize participation in key federal nutrition assistance programs.

As a statewide organization dedicated to alleviating hunger, our mission is more important than ever. Keep updated on developments.

Family Discussion for Parents/Caregivers of Children and Youth (ages 0 – 21) with Physical, Medical, Emotional and Learning Needs

Westchester Institute for Human Development (WIHD) and The Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities at University of Rochester Medical Center is recruiting families to participate in discussions about how to best support families in New York State (NYS) who have a child or youth with physical, medical, emotional or learning needs. In addition, we are working with local health departments (LHDs) to compile a regional resource directory and training materials that LHDs can use to support children and youth and their families in the future.
 
WIHD and The Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities at the University of Rochester Medical Center are engaged in this project through a grant from the NYS Department of Health.
 
We will be holding virtual small group discussions and individual interviews with eligible participants from May 2020 through June 2021.

Who is eligible?

• Any person who lives in NYS; and is
• A parent/guardian with caregiving responsibility of a child or youth (0-21) with physical, medical, emotional or learning needs; or
• An individual (18-21) with physical, medical, emotional or learning needs.

Discussion Group Details:

• 90-minute virtual group discussion; $75 compensation
• 60-minute individual phone interview; $50 compensation

 
Interpreters available and sessions in Spanish available

For more information:

In the Hudson Valley and Upstate Region of NYS
Call or Email:
Susan at 914-719-7774 or sburlazzi@wihd.org
Jeannie at 914-719-7761 or jrisucci@wihd.org
 
In the Western Region of NYS
Visit: https://bit.ly/3dyV7Ih
Email: Melissa at Melissa_Parrish@urmc.rochester.edu