Upcoming Events

When: Thursday, April 30 - 12:00 PM

Duration: 2 hours

Location: Zoom

Event Details:

Part 2 will discuss misconceptions about caregivers from a provider's perspective as well as unconscious biases. It will also provide essential strategies and insights to build authentic, collaborative relationships with caregivers. By embracing the principles of family-driven, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive care, we will explore strategies for creating an authentic collaborative partnership.

By the end of this series, participants will be able to:

• Describe the essential approaches in mental health service delivery when working with families, including family-driven, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive care
• Identify key barriers that prevent meaningful caregiver engagement
• Recognize strategies to strengthen the therapeutic relationship
• Explore approaches to authentically partner with caregivers to promote positive outcomes and lasting well-being for young people and their families

About the presenters:

Melanie Funchess, FPA, is the CEO/ Principal of Ubuntu Village Works, LLC and the Director of Mental Health and Wellness of Common Ground Health, a health planning organization serving the nine county Finger Lakes region, where she has served as an advocate for families and youth for over two decades. She is a member of CTAC's Advisory Board, offering feedback and advice about the needs of the field.

Amy Piroli, FPA-C, is the Director of Peer Support Training at the NYU McSilver Institute, a dedicated professional who has spent years working at the intersection of mental health, child welfare, and family support.

Kara Dean-Assael, DSW, LMSW, is the Senior Director of Innovation and Education and the Leader of CTAC at NYU's McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research and has been working with children and families since 1997.

Diana M. Arias, LMSW, MS, is the Director of Innovation and Education at the NYU McSilver Institute. She assists on developing and disseminating training initiatives and educational resources for behavioral health agencies.