YOUTH POWER!
Take Action!
Change the System!
2009 Statewide Youth Leadership Forum
Report by Carlos Flores, Youth Coordinator, NWD/FSS
August 11th-YOUTH POWER!- Our Network, Our History
This session touched on the history of the struggles and the continuous fight to stop discrimination, segregation and institutionalization of our disabled people. We traveled through the birth and development of the Youth Movement which began with a small group who were hospitalized and promoted peer counseling for their peers. Youth involvement began to spread on local levels within communities and into the state in the late 90’s. Families Together in NYS also became a partner and an example to other agencies or boards across the state on the importance of youth involvement. This presentation allowed us to see where we came from and what needs to be done in order to get to where we want to be. Youth involvement creates empowerment, allows self-help, establishes peer support, and creates leaders in peer advocacy for systematic change through systems advocacy.
Peer interviews and Presentations
Interacting and getting to know each other was the focus of this session. It allowed us to ask questions to your partner which had to be someone you didn’t know. After you got to know your partner and that exercise was over, now we had to present in front of the group the information that we learned. This was really fun and it not only created new friendships, but created a comfortable atmosphere for those who were a little shy.
Youth in Progress-Foster Care Youth Movement
Two young people from this organization came in and explained to us how they have made preparations to face the world, being ageing out youth. They are advocates for foster care youth within the system and out who are working toward changing the system to the benefit of those in the system. They act as co-trainers and speak as panelists for caseworker, child care staff, and foster parent training. They also meet with NYS legislators on policy issues, participate in focus groups and appear in training videos specific to working with adolescents in foster care. There is representation in nine regions across New York State; Long Island included.
Community Alliance for the Ethical Treatment of Youth
Instead of a presentation, this was more of a group discussion where young people shared stories on their experiences on institutions. It was heartbreaking to hear of the atrocities that are committed in these institutions. Our young ladies and men are being violated by those who are supposed to protect them. These young people enter the system for help and receive more pain and more suffering which contributes to behaviors which are considered abnormal. What can you expect from these abnormal experiences? There is much work that needs to be done.
August 12th-The Quality Initiative
We began our day with a presenter from NYS Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities. Her presentation was based on the research that CQCAPD conducted to assess the needs of persons with disabilities. It was a good presentation; however it wasn’t delivered in a way for youth to understand. Therefore, there wasn’t enough youth participation and we deviated from the topic several times. Overall, the information that was handed out was appreciated.
What’s Important to Youth?- Clicker Activity
This session was more interactive than some of the other presentations. Everyone had a clicker to place our votes on questions concerning systems of care. The focus of the questions were to find out what youth want in the systems for a more safe and educational experience. The results were discussed with our groups and most people agreed with results or at least understood the reasons behind results.
Getting the most out of the Leadership dinner.
For the rest of the day, we began to prepare for out dinner with State Agencies. We formulated questions to ask and how to ask them. We discussed strategies on working together in order to get the best out of our dinner with these representatives from different agencies. We meet with the Council on Children and Families, Department of Health, Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives and Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for persons with Disabilities; just to name a few. Discussions included what agencies represented, our complaints on the services and what solutions we think could work or why not. Everyone seemed prepared after this session which ultimately leads to a good dinner.
The Leadership Dinner
The dinner went well. There were many questions asked and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. It seems obvious that many people working for the systems of care and those wanting to fix these systems desire the same goal. We all want people to receive the services they need in the most productive and effective way. Hopefully, all will work out and the cries can become cheers.
After the dinner, we had Karaoke dance night with was an amazing experience for me. To see all these different young people who have been at points of destruction in their lives due to the way the world has interacted with them at a very peaceful state of mind, without worries for one night. I shared with these young people; these young adults with heavy burdens that keep them up at night, dancing and laughing; enjoying these new friendships. Within pain, they found a way to fight for others. That event allowed me to recognize my position for these youth and to work harder to achieve the goals set out for me. They inspired me!
August 13th-Nothing About Us, Without Us
This presentation was focused on survivors of the psychiatric system and the work toward change that has taken place. This group of activists and advocates for Human Rights work across the United States fighting for the rights of all those in institutional settings. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was discussed and the obligations of those who are aware of institutional failures. This was a good presentation to see what others are doing out there to combat the violations done against youth and adults in psychiatric institutions.
ADAPT- Action and how to organize a vigil
This was an interesting presentation due to the details it contained on organizing demonstrations and protest. The experiences of ADAPT were discussed like the protest that lead to city buses becoming wheelchair assessable in one state. Laws, rights, benefits, and dangers were spoken of and how to conduct a peaceful organized vigil.
For more information on YOUTH POWER!, contact Stephanie Orlando, Families Together in New York State at 888 326-8644.
