On this week's episode, we speak with Director of Peer Services Jim Ball and Administrator of Peer Services Kirsten Muth.

MHA has received a grant from OMH for a Youth and Family Peer Advocate workforce expansion initiative. The program is a training and certification series for individuals interested in becoming Youth or Family Peer Advocates. It will serve six counties across the region.

We can provide this opportunity to our own eligible staff as well. We are also encouraging you to share this opportunity with clients you may be working with who would be interested.

The grant provides up to three stipends to qualified/eligible candidates:

· Upon completion of the Level One training (proof required) - $250

· Upon obtaining Provisional Certification (copy of Certificate required) $500

· Upon securing employment as a Youth or Family Peer Advocate or having this work written into your current job description - $1500

For more information on the training requirements for Family Peer Advocates click here

For more information on the training requirements Youth Peer Advocate click here.

If you are interested, please contact Kirsten Muth in Peer Services at kmuth@mhadutchess or by replying to this email. She will provide the links to register you for this opportunity.

Additional Information: Definitions and experience required:

What is a Youth Peer Advocate (YPA)? What life experience is required?

YPAs are individuals between 18 and 30 years of age who have self-identified as a person who has first-hand experience with social, emotional, medical, developmental, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges. YPAs work with young people (primarily between ages 14-21) who are experiencing social, medical, emotional, developmental, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges in their home, school, placement, and/or community. These peer services provide the training and support necessary to ensure the active participation and engagement of young people in their own treatment planning process and in the development and reinforcement of skills.

What is a Family Peer Advocate (FPA)? What experience is required?

Family Peer Advocates (FPA) have ‘lived experience’ as the parent (biological, foster, adoptive) or primary caregiver of a child/youth with a social, emotional, behavioral, mental health, or developmental disability.  Interested candidates can receive training to develop skills and strategies that can lead to employment and promote the practice of family-driven and youth-guided approaches. FPAs provide support services in a variety of settings including independent community-based family support programs, schools, clinics, residential programs, health homes, hospitals, and other community-based organizations. FPAs work in partnership with parents and service providers from all ‘systems’ including social services, education, mental health, developmental disabilities, juvenile justice, health, and substance abuse. This ‘cross-systems’ work comes naturally to FPAs because family needs cross all systems.

Hosted by Conor Walsh Produced by CMJW Entertainment Inc https://www.cmjwentertainment.com/

Brought to you by Mental Health America of Dutchess County https://mhadutchess.org/

Brought to you in part by the Northern & Souther Dutchess Community Coalitions https://capedc.org/ndcc/

https://capedc.org/sdcc/

• (00:00:00) - PeeCee Workforce Expansion Grant
• (00:00:40) - The Role of a Peer Services Administrator
• (00:01:10) - The Peer Advocate Workforce Expansion Grant
• (00:04:23) - Grant supports family and youth peer advocates
• (00:07:01) - What's Different Between a Youth Peer Advocate and a Family Peer Advocate
• (00:08:08) - The Peer Specialist Workforce Expansion
• (00:18:24) - An advocate for the peer services
• (00:20:46) - A Peer advocate's journey in recovery
• (00:25:49) - A Taste of the Program

On this week's episode, we address National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week, Sobriety Awareness Month, and Black Balloon Day with the Addiction Services Team here at MHA. We speak with Brittney Ettinger from the Bolger House, Curtis Potter from the Dowling House, and Jody Carradero from Florence Manor. Each leader talks about their position with each house they manage, and what inspired them to join the mental health and recovery field.
MHA's Addiction Services:https://mhadutchess.org/service/addiction-recovery-services/
Hosted by Conor Walsh Produced by CMJW Entertainment Inc https://www.cmjwentertainment.com/

Brought to you by Mental Health America of Dutchess County https://mhadutchess.org/

Brought to you in part by the Northern & Souther Dutchess Community Coalitions https://capedc.org/ndcc/

https://capedc.org/sdcc/

• (00:00:01) - Your Best You: Substance Use and Recovery
• (00:01:11) - An Interview With the Director of Vulture House
• (00:03:15) - Dallin House, Akansak
• (00:05:08) - Helping women get out of addiction
• (00:07:22) - What's the Mentorship Program?
• (00:08:57) - Curtis on Co-Ed Facility
• (00:10:35) - The Bolger House's approach to substance abuse
• (00:15:23) - How to help someone get back on their feet
• (00:17:32) - What are some of the things that you're finding that people have
• (00:19:50) - Proud Parent Moment
• (00:20:31) - Reasons for Dysregulation in Recovery
• (00:23:01) - Curtis and Jody on Substance Abuse
• (00:25:39) - Curtis' story of overcoming substance abuse
• (00:28:40) - Brittany on Connecting With Family
• (00:30:53) - Re reconnection in the Recovery Community
• (00:33:24) - What is it that you would like to communicate to somebody who has
• (00:36:39) - Khan on Random Acts Of Kindness
• (00:39:03) - A Client's Story About His Addiction
• (00:42:30) - Jody on The Death of A Client
• (00:47:38) - How to Ask Questions on MHA

On this week’s episode of Your Best You, Antonio Benitez from Bolger House at MHA joins host Conor Walsh for a conversation about recovery, growth, and purpose. Antonio and Conor reflect on their shared time at Townsquare Media of the Hudson Valley and the paths that ultimately led them to their work with MHA. Antonio shares about the meaning and self-discovery he has found in his current role, and how drawing on his lived experience with recovery allows him to support others as they navigate their own journeys toward healing and wellness.

https://www.youtube.com/@antsmash6969

Hosted by Conor Walsh Produced by CMJW Entertainment Inc https://www.cmjwentertainment.com/

Brought to you by Mental Health America of Dutchess County https://mhadutchess.org/

Brought to you in part by the Northern & Souther Dutchess Community Coalitions https://capedc.org/ndcc/

https://capedc.org/sdcc/

• (00:00:00) - Mental Wellbeing on WPDH
• (00:01:12) - MHA on Starting a Mental Health Practice
• (00:04:00) - Britney On The Bolger House
• (00:06:09) - The Bulger House: Helping Men Get Out of Addiction
• (00:09:41) - Inside the Bulger House
• (00:11:53) - A Peer Recovery Advocate Tells Her Story
• (00:15:23) - Program Assistant on the Issues of Addiction
• (00:18:00) - The frustration of the medical field
• (00:18:58) - MHA On Talking To The People In The House
• (00:22:35) - One of my Clients Says He Was Testifying Me
• (00:24:58) - MHA on Being Real With His Fans
• (00:28:30) - The Importance of Taking Care of Yourself
• (00:28:54) - Porn Addiction Is Real
• (00:32:40) - Bob Marley on Bullying As A Child
• (00:36:07) - "She Doesn't Care About My Addiction"
• (00:37:52) - Bradley on Sexual Stigma
• (00:41:32) - Porn Addiction: Why It's So Dangerous
• (00:42:35) - How Does It Feel to Be in Recovery
• (00:46:09) - Antonio on His Food Habit
• (00:47:21) - James Bulger on Comedians
• (00:52:11) - In the Elevator With Antonio
• (00:53:15) - Ant Smash