Youth Leadership Forum

Grantee: Families Together of New York State / YOUTH POWER!

Project Summary:

The awarded grantee, Families Together of New York State / YOUTH POWER! developed, piloted, and implemented statewide a five-day, four-night Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) for youth participants, ages 14-24. The program was modified to account for NYS-specific context, and to reach diverse communities. Additionally, the grantee created a family caregiver leadership and advocacy training curriculum that enables caregivers to support youth in their advocacy efforts, after participation in the YLF program. Lastly, the grantee incorporated a mentorship system to identify, train, and match mentors to work with forum participants on identified leadership projects to further develop independent living outcomes for youth with disabilities.

Key Activities:

• Implemented a five-day, four-night YLF in NYS, regionally
• Created a family caregiver leadership and advocacy training curriculum to compliment the YLF training
• Established a mentorship program for forum participants

Total Funding: $1,250,000

Project Length: 5 years

Project Start: January 1, 2017

Geographic Reach: Statewide

Current Status: Complete