Upcoming Events

When: Tuesday, March 24 - 12:00 PM

Duration: 1 hours 30 minutes

Location: Zoom

Event Details:

A strength-based approach is key in supporting families in reaching their full potential. This training will offer Family Peer Advocates the opportunity to identify what a strength-based approach is, learn the core principles of a strength-based practice, identify barriers and solutions to being strength-based and create a plan on how to bring this approach to your teams and families. Using a strength-based approach will help prevent burnout and may increase feelings of self-efficacy and empowerment among families that are served.  

                                                               About the Presenters 

                                                                  Jay Culkin, YPA-C

Jay Culkin is a Youth Workforce Development Coordinator at Families Together in NYS and a professionally credentialed Youth Peer Advocate (YPA-C) and NYS Certified Peer Specialist (NYCPS-P). Has a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and a Master’s Degree in Social & Public Policy with an Advanced Certificate in Child & Family Advocacy. He was the first of a pilot project at SCO Family of Services, a well-known child and family services non-profit from the NYC metropolitan area, to have seasoned YPAs mentoring newer YPAs. The purpose of mentoring was to help newer YPAs practice boundaries, communication, assertiveness, and other useful skills as lived experience professionals. Jay has spent most of his time as a YPA advocating for transgender youth and providing information to staff about quality LGBTQ+ care in mental health settings using examples from his own lived experience. He has been working to raising awareness of neurodiversity and the specific needs of neurodivergent individuals in school settings and the workplace environment. 

                                                              Christie Ingram FPA-C

Christie Ingram FPA-C is a Family Workforce Development Coordinator at Families
Together in NYS. Christie has experience advocating for Youth and Families in multiple systems of care as well as her own lived experience. She has been an FPA since 2017 and had the honor of supporting Families in Peer Services in both community and residential settings. Christie has also supervised Peers in multiple programs. Christie is passionate about the wellbeing of Children and Families. One way she aims to support them is by working with Families/Caregivers in their Advocacy skills, as they are their Child’s lifelong Advocate. Christie is excited for the opportunity to support Peer work by offering training and supporting Credentialing for Peers and Caregivers across NYS. Christie has three adult children. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, being outside and reading.