New York State Network for Youth Success

Embracing Change: Part 3
2023-04-18 11:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York)
In the third session of our series on intersectionality and finding common ground, participants will be able to unpack the political implications of why diversity and inclusion have become such charged issues, and discuss what we as educators can do about continuing to create socially-safe spaces for youth. Participants in the session will explore how to navigate our own biases and engage in discussion about protective practices for building inclusive communities. Participants will also explore strategies for how to ensure the safety of students with marginalized identities, and identify where we as practitioners need to learn more.

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Bias Talks: The Language of Accountability
2023-04-21 10:00 - 11:30
Interrupting bias in our everyday lives can be daunting, especially when you may not have the language to express your thoughts. In this interactive presentation, participants will be able to learn strategies and the language to engage in difficult conversations thoughtfully. Want to share these strategies with your students? Participants will also receive tools to bring the training back to their programs through age-appropriate activities.

Embracing Change: Finding Common Ground on Intersectionality About Race, Gender, Religion, Class and Sexual Orientation [PART 4]
2023-04-24 11:00 - 12:30
In the fourth session of our series on intersectionality, participants will discuss the differences between awareness, allyship, advocacy and activism. We will explore why it is important to have critical conversations about racism, misogyny, homophobia and xenophobia with our colleagues and students. Participants will also explore how to respond to fear and resistance, and why discomfort in conversations on equity can be uncomfortable but necessary. Participants will also share why it is imperative to explore identity in shared spaces with children and youth, and practice how to advocate for change within their workplace and institutions.

LGBTQIA 101: Foundations in Gender and Attraction
2023-04-26 11:00 - 12:30
An interactive [re]introduction to terminology and key concepts related to sexual orientation and gender identity expression. This session serves the foundation necessary for exploring the skills, practices, policies, and NYS laws in the upcoming LGBTQIA sessions. Individuals wishing to attend other sessions from the facilitator must first attend this session.

Sustaining What Works: The State of Stimulus Funds
2023-04-26 12:00 - 13:30

From Awareness to Advocacy: How Do I Show Up As An Agent of Change?
2023-04-28 11:00 - 12:30
In this new series on intersectionality, participants will discuss the differences between awareness, allyship, advocacy and activism, and how to improve upon how they show up as creators of safe and inclusive spaces. Continuing from our conversations featured in “Embracing Change,” participants will explore why it is important to have critical conversations about racism, misogyny, homophobia, and xenophobia with our colleagues and students, and engage in self-assessment on where they have growth potential in various areas of the diversity spectrum. In an effort to set the stage as agents of change, participants will be expected to engage in the practice of recognition regarding their own social identity markers throughout this session.

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Systems Update: Enhancing Documents & E-Forms to Better Serve LGBTQIA Youth and Families
2023-05-02 11:00 - 12:00, 2023-05-08 10:00 - 11:00
Noticing that your electronic and paper forms don’t give all the information your staff need, or that they don’t work for all of your families? Geared towards directors and other leadership, this interactive session provides practical examples for adjusting forms and for how to work around 3rd-party systems. Bring your forms to help us work through real examples!
Attendance of Names & Pronouns session encouraged.
Prerequisite: LGBTQIA 101.

Decolonizing Gender and Sexuality
2023-05-04 11:00 - 12:30
This session will examine gender and sexuality through an Indigenous lens, with a focus on the impact of colonialism on queerness and gender equity in Indigenous communities. Participants will gain a more nuanced understanding of the unique challenges faced by 2Spirit, Queer, and Trans Indigenous people.

Unseen Tears: The Impact of Native American Residential Boarding Schools in Western New York
2023-05-05 10:00 - 12:00
This session will take a deep look into the system of Native American residential boarding schools that were operated throughout the United States and Canada, nearly all of which followed the motto of “Kill the Indian, save the man.” This system was an intentional effort to remove Native children from their communities, place them in institutions that were patterned after prison and/or military systems, and have them lose their connections with their traditional cultures and assimilate into mainstream society. Recent news reports have exposed the finding of gravesites of children who died at many of these boarding schools. This session will feature the screening and facilitated discussion of a powerful documentary, “Unseen Tears: The Impact of Native American Boarding Schools in Western New York,” as well as emerging efforts designed to counteract and overcome the residual impacts of these schools.

Youth Autonomy, Empathy and Ageism
2023-05-06 11:00 - 12:30, 2023-05-17 11:00 - 12:30
In this interactive session, participants will be invited to reflect on their own experiences and to interrogate the ageist assumptions that underpin our interactions with youth. We will seek to answer questions such as: How does fear drive us to exert more control over youth than is necessary, and how can we manage those fears? How can I safely introduce more autonomy into the expectations I set for youth, while providing the tools for them to meet those expectations successfully? How can I access empathy as a resource to build a strong foundation of trust and honesty in my relationships with youth?

Latinx and Complex: Supporting Latinx Families
2023-05-09 10:00 - 11:30, 2023-05-26 10:00 - 11:30
The Latinx umbrella encompasses many different nations, cultures, and racial identities. Learning the about some of the fundamental differences within the Latinx community is important to building trust with Latinx program participants and their families. In this workshop, participants will receive an overview of Latinx culture in the United States and the unique challenges this multiracial and multicultural community faces. Participants will also gain a better understanding of hidden rules in the Latinx culture that impact learning environments. The goal of this program is to provide participants with strategies to improve student academic performance and socialization.

Approaching Foundations & Building Relationships with Funders
2023-05-10 12:00 - 13:30
Philanthropy is a powerful force for good in our society. Come and learn how you can invite philanthropic investment in your community, school, and program to sustain the work you started with ARP funds, add programming to fill gaps for specific needs, or diversify funding for program longevity. We will take a “backstage tour” of foundations and hear directly from grant makers and program officers. You will learn how to find funding opportunities, approach foundations, position your program competitively, and hear more about how collaboration can be a competitive edge.
+What are the key differences in private funding and government funding?
+How does it help an application to demonstrate collaboration and shared resources?
+What are the important elements that foundations are looking for right now in proposals?
+What are some tips for building lasting relationships with foundations and private funders?
+How do you find funding opportunities from foundations?
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From Awareness to Advocacy: How Do I Show Up As An Agent of Change?
2023-05-12 11:00 - 12:30

New Laws and New Talent: Attracting & Retaining LGBTQIA Employees
2023-05-30 11:00 - 12:00, 2023-06-07 12:00 - 13:00

Youth and The Right to Privacy
2023-06-02 11:00 - 12:30, 2023-06-14 11:00 - 12:30
In this session, we will explore the tricky balance between young people’s inherent right to privacy and our responsibility as caregivers to keep them safe. How can we protect young people from very real dangers without sheltering them entirely from a world they need to be prepared to navigate? How can we incorporate technology – smartphones, social media etc. – into a changing conversation about privacy? And most importantly, how can we challenge ageist norms that strip youth of their agency and right to privacy in the name of safety?

Getting Gender Right: Role Modeling Support of Gender Diversity & Individuality
2023-06-12 11:00 - 12:00, 2023-06-20 10:00 - 11:00
Many childcare workers want children to grow in environments free from gender stereotypes and restrictions, yet often end up subconsciously reinforcing society’s messaging. From a young age, we have an opportunity to shift our language and behavior to improve mental health and stronger connections with children. Learn tools for reducing the pressures experienced by children of all genders!

Cultural Humility & Serving Diverse Communities – An Indigenous Perspective
2023-06-22 10:30 - 12:00

Windows & Mirrors: LGBTQIA-Affirming Programs and Curriculum
2023-06-28 11:00 - 12:00, 2023-07-11 11:00 - 12:00
Adults in youth programs and education settings have a unique opportunity to provide
programming and materials that allow youth to see themselves and their families
represented. When we do this, we also prepare youth for interacting with the world around
them and help them build skills to be better friends and bystanders. This session introduces
the “Mirrors & Windows” learning theory (coined by educator Emily Styles in 1988) and
provides examples for improvements to curriculum and programming.

Bias: A Human Condition
2023-06-30 10:00 - 11:30, 2023-07-11 13:00 - 14:30
This highly interactive training opportunity will discuss the neurological basis for implicit bias. Participants will be able to reframe their understanding of bias and learn practical definitions for diversity, equity, and inclusion terms. Real-life examples and relevant research will be discussed to assist participants in identifying bias within various every day and educational contexts.

Bias Blocks: Practical Solutions for Equitable Change
2023-07-06 10:00 - 11:30, 2023-07-20 10:00 - 11:30
Participants will continue to explore the effects of bias while focusing on solutions for reducing bias at the personal and institutional levels. They will be introduced to evidence-based strategies that interrupt biased thinking, reflective prompts for sustainable bias mitigation, and assessment considerations for equitable outcomes. Tools and resource lists will be provided to assist participants in developing action plans for change.

Teachings of the Good Mind – The Story of Spirit & Intent
2023-07-14 10:30 - 12:00
