Health and Wellness

May 16, 2013 - On Tuesday, Governor Jerry Brown released his 2013 May Revise of his proposed FY 2013-14 state budget. As all foster care, children's mental health and community mental health services were Realigned to the counties in 2011, the state budget hasn't even mentioned them since. For local advocates like FYA, though, two major interlinked proposals included in the Revise are of considerable interest. The Revise provides additional details on plans for the Medi-Cal expansion...Read more »

May 15, 2013 - Our Spring 2013 FYA Newsletter features a profile of the fabulous Ashley McCullough, who shares her powerful insights into what young people in foster care need most of all.Read more »

January 30, 2013 - Young Minds Advocacy Project (YMAP), founded in August 2012, was formed for the purpose of engaging in legal advocacy and community education to assist low-income youths and their families and communities in accessing appropriate mental health services and supports, and ensuring the adequate performance and accountability of mental health care programs and providers.  Check out their newly launched website for information about young people’s mental health...Read more »

January 09, 2013 - The California State Foster Care Task Force, which addresses issues related to Medi-Cal enrollment for foster and probation youth, has released a revised Foster Care Resource List as of January 2013, which provides contact information for individuals in the public agencies who can assist in the resolution of eligibility and enrollment issues.Read more »

December 10, 2012 - Niroga Institute is offering a mindfulness training workshop to community organizations serving youth and families. The 1 - 1.5 hour workshop is called a COMBO (COmmunity Mind BOdy) meeting, and includes a training in TLS (Transformative Life Skills). The TLS training offers a practice that integrates yoga, meditation, and breathing techniques for stress management, self-care, and healing from primary/secondary trauma. The training can be adapted for youth, parents, families,...Read more »

November 14, 2012 - The California Alliance of Child and Family Services, in partnership with Dr. John Lyons, will present a series of regional trainings to further the implementation of the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) across California. The focus of these trainings will be to increase the availability of certified CANS trainers. This training will be offered in Alameda County on November 29 and 30, 2012.

October 31, 2012 - Portland State University’s Pathways RTC will present a webinar on the foundational understanding of brain development and the neurobiology of traumatic stress on November 13 from 10:00-11:00 AM.  Integrating neuroscience research findings into programs for transition-age youth is crucial for designing and delivering effective services. Just as emerging adults are transitioning across systems, their brains and minds are also in transition and continuing to develop. Indeed, the final stages of the brain’s structural...Read more »

October 16, 2012 - There's still time to RSVP for our Children's Policy Forum this FRIDAY, October 19th, at Preservation Park in Oakland! During 2012-13, a pivotal time for children and youth across California, The Alameda County Interagency Children's Policy Council, Foster Youth Alliance, and Center for Child and Youth Policy at UC Berkeley are pleased to lead a series of conversations on the status and needs of children in Alameda County. Our first forum will be...Read more »

August 22, 2012 - The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) recently released Making Healthy Choices: A Guide on Psychotropic Medications for Youth in Foster Care, a new guide to the use of psychotropics among foster youth, written specifically for youth. The guide is part of the broader effort to implement the provision of the Child and Family Services Improvement and Innovation Act of 2011 (P.L. 112-34) that requires states to revise their Medicaid plans regarding...Read more »

August 22, 2012 - The Oasis For Girls application process for Fall 2012 programs is now open! Oasis partners with under-resourced girls and young women ages 14-17 who live in San Francisco, to help them discover opportunities and explore their dreams. Oasis youth development programs provide a safe space to cultivate the skills, knowledge, and confidence to build strong futures for themselves and their communities.  The application, due September 7th at 2pm, is HERE....Read more »