Meeting Description
The Peer Advocacy Program through Noteworthy Resources is designed to empower individuals with lived experience — whether as youth navigating systems themselves or as family members supporting a child — to transform that experience into leadership, advocacy skills, and, if they choose, professional credentialing. The program walks participants through the state-recognized credentialing pathway to become either a Youth Peer Advocate (YPA) or Family Peer Advocate (FPA).
At its core, this program is about:
• Building confidence and leadership
• Teaching ethical peer support skills
• Helping participants understand systems navigation
• Creating pathways into meaningful workforce opportunities
• Strengthening community support networks
These relaxed, in-person gatherings are designed to support you by offering time to ask questions and talk about your goals and how you want to use peer advocacy in your life and career.
Refreshments will be served.
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Becoming a Youth Peer Advocate (YPA) or Family Peer Advocate (FPA) is a powerful way to use your lived experience to support and empower others. Through this program, you gain valuable skills, connect with a supportive peer network, and make a meaningful impact in your community.
Youth Peer Advocates:
Are between 18–30 years old
Hold at least a high school diploma, GED, or state equivalency
Have lived experience with emotional/mental health challenges, behavioral challenges, and/or co-occurring disorders with onset before age 21
Have firsthand experience navigating child-serving systems of care (e.g., mental health services, special education, child welfare, addiction services, juvenile justice, developmental disability services)
Are willing to share relevant aspects of their lived experience to support other youth facing similar challenges
Family Peer Advocates:
Are at least 18 years of age
Hold at least a high school diploma, GED, or state equivalency
Have experience as a parent (biological, adoptive, foster) or primary caregiver of a child/youth with significant social, emotional, developmental, medical, substance use, and/or behavioral needs with onset before age 21
Have experience navigating child-serving systems of care on behalf of their child/youth (e.g., Early Intervention, mental health services, special education, child welfare, addiction services, juvenile justice, developmental disability services)
Are willing to share relevant aspects of their lived experience to support other families facing similar challenges
More details at www.nwralbany.org and for assistance or any questions call/text 518-250-9719.