Mental Health Wellness & Advocacy
Mental Health Wellness Advisor
Amy was tapped this year by the Jewish Federation of Sarasota/Manatee to bet the Teen Mental Health Advisor for the Bob Malkin Young Ambassador Israel trip in June 2023. Her role was to help better navigate social situations in a group setting that would tour the country for 10 days. Jessica Sheslow was the teen leader and the group was paired with Daniel Weitzman, the best tour guide in Israel. The group toured Jerusalem, Tel Aviv-Jafo, Ein Masada, Gedi Nature Preserve, Merom Golan, Aqua Kef, Metsukei ha-Tsinim Reserve, Arad, Netiv Ha-asara, Rehovot, Anu and Yad Vashem Museusms. The journey was epic.
Getting to Yes in IEP & 504 Meetings
Amy is a volunteer consultant for The Florida Center's FASD leadership team. If you have a child/teen who qualifies for services in the public school setting, it is priority to learn how to navigate the meetings, interactions, and laws of an IEP or 504. Amy's expertise and support gives parents and caregiver the power and confidence to get to "yes" as a parent advocate in a way that promotes collaboration together. Case in point, Jenn Werden, is the current parent advocate lead on Florida Center's FASD team of experts.
Initially the principal at her son's school was filing charges against her kindergartener at the time, and with training, support, and practice, she was able to navigate and eventually collaborate with the school team to get the services and cooperation she needed for her son. She now guides other parents towards meaningful dialogue and intentional outcomes.
national trainer for Youth mental Health First aid (YMHFA)
Since the COVID pandemic, Amy has been actively training more than 200 adults who work with youth and teens. She is a volunteer trainer with the Department of Health in Manatee County. Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders.