UPCOMING TRAININGs AND EVENTS:

Hudson Valley LGBTQ+ Community Center
Seasons of Change: A Mindfulness-Based Support Group
An 8-week, in-person support group for LGBTQIA+ individuals exploring mindful approaches to change. This uniquely designed support group incorporates mindfulness to regulate emotions and foster insight, support, and healing while discussing a difficult topic for most: change.

Wednesdays, October 8th to December 10th
6-7:30pm
Facilitated by Johnathan Hornig, LCSW, Director of Well-Being, and co-facilitated by Dragan Mitric, MSW Intern, Rutgers University.

Resources in NYS for Older Youth in Care

Here are a number of free or low-cost workshop/training/support resources in New York State that are especially relevant for older youth in care — things like adulting basics, trauma-informed healing, life skills, and mental health.

ACT for Youth (Cornell University / NY)
Offers curricula, online trainings, toolkits around positive youth development (PYD), social & emotional learning; resources for “prep for adulthood.” Useful for workshops on life skills, relationships, self-management, planning for the future. ACT for Youth

Adoptive & Foster Family Coalition of New York (AFFCNY): Best Practices Training Academy
Trainings/workshops for caregivers, professionals, etc. Some content touches on older youth and transitioning to adulthood. Good if youth can participate or advocate for programs for foster/adoptive/kinship situations; also good resource for those supporting them. AFFCNY

Permanency for Older Youth (AFFCNY)
Resources & supports specifically designed to help foster/adoptive families and professionals with the transition to adulthood (launching) for older youth. Very relevant: skills for independence, navigating systems, maybe mentorship, housing, etc. AFFCNY

Child HELP Partnership (NYC / St. John’s University)
Offers free, evidence-based mental health services to traumatized children & their caregivers; plus trainings for professionals; public education & workshops. Very useful for trauma-informed healing; also for older youth wanting help, or caregivers/staff supporting them. St. John's University

NAMI New York State (Support & Education)
Free peer-led programs, mental health education, support groups for kids/teens/young adults, caregivers; various presentations. Helpful for mental health literacy, peer support, coping skills (which are part of adulting + healing). NAMI New York State

NYC Adult Education / NYC DOE Other-Ways-to-Graduate / HSE / CTE
Free classes for people 21+ (or HSE for younger) including Adult Basic Education, English (ESOL), Career & Technical Education, etc. For older youth who need to get diploma/equivalency, learn job-skills, English, basic education—core “adulting” building blocks. adult-education web

Union Settlement – Adult Education
Free adult education & career training (hospitality, admin skills, bookkeeping, computer & digital literacy, etc.) in East Harlem. Good for practical skills/job readiness which are part of adulting basics. Also useful for youth in care who are entering workforce or getting independence. unionsettlement.org

Trauma-Informed Network Resource Center (NY)
“Join the Journey” initiative: resources, events across NYS to support trauma-informed work & wellness practices. For older youth, caregivers, staff; helps build knowledge and connect to community & trainings in trauma-informed care. Trauma-Informed Network Resource Center

NYCACS – TRIPP Training (Trauma-Responsive and Informed Parenting Program)
Virtual instructor-led trainings; includes teach-backs, role-plays, etc., aimed at caregivers but also useful for youth themselves in some settings. Can be useful if older youth participate, or have access through care providers. Helps with understanding trauma, building healthier relationships. nycacstraining.org

County / State OMH / Office of Mental Health – Training for Providers & Public
OMH funds and offers free trainings to providers & systems in areas like recovery-oriented practice, trauma-informed services. Even if many trainings are directed to staff, many include components which older youth can access or benefit from—or encourage providers serving youth to access these. New York State Office of Mental Health