The Department of Workforce Development oversees all training and credentialing activities for Family Peer Advocates and Youth Peer Advocates. Technical assistance is available to agencies who currently provide or are interested in providing Family Peer support and/or Youth Peer support. Since New York State transitioned to Medicaid Managed Care, the FPA and YPA Credentials have taken on an increasingly important role in the service system. We are committed to expanding the family and youth peer advocate workforce across New York State. Over the past 3 years, we have seen much progress toward that goal. 

Families Together in NYS, Inc. has managed the Parent Empowerment Program (PEP) Training since 2009. The PEP training was revamped in 2018 and to date, over 700 advocates have completed this requirement for a FPA Credential. The Family Peer Advocate Credential launched in 2011 and currently there are over 400 FPAs credentialed statewide.*

The Youth Power network of FTNYS has supported the training  and credentialing of Youth Peer Advocates (YPAs) in New York State since 2015. The YPA training was updated in 2018 and to date, over 150 advocates have completed this requirement  for the YPA Credential. The number of credentialed Youth Peer Advocates has surpassed 100 statewide!*

*active and in good standing

Peer Credentialing & Training 101 for OMH Providers

This webinar is intended for employers and prospective employers of Peer workers, including family, to learn about the training and certification/credentialing process for all three OMH Peer Credentials: New York Certified Peer Specialists; Youth Peer Advocate...

Family Peer Advocate Credential Renewal

Policy Change Announcement Beginning with credentials expiring July 1, 2021, applicants for renewal will be required to submit two hours of continuing education in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in order to renew their credential. The DEI trainings will be...

Workforce Development Advisory Committee

Announcing an Exciting Volunteer Opportunity! Workforce Development Advisory Committee is Expanding its Membership If you are a credentialed Family Peer Advocate looking for an opportunity to support the development of the FPA workforce, we hope you read the letter...

Department Staff Contacts

Carrie Ann Rollier

Carrie Ann Rollier, FPA-C
Director of Training & Workforce Development
CRollier@FTNYS.org

Joanna Ahlatis

Joanna Ahlatis, She/Her
Workforce Development Specialist
(518) 432-0333 ext. 18
Joanna@FTNYS.org

Yasmeen Baxter

Yasmeen Baxter
Youth Workforce Development Coordinator
(518) 728-4262
YBaxter@FTNYS.org

Heather Tafuro

Heather M. Tafuro, MS Ed, FDC, FPA-C
Family Training Coordinator
(631) 432-0412
HTafuro@FTNYS.org

Susan Lewis

Susan Lewis, FPA-C
Family Workforce Development Coordinator
(315) 317-4877
SLewis@FTNYS.org

Family Peer Support Brochure – English

Family Peer Support Brochure – Spanish

Become a Family Peer Advocate

Youth Peer Support Brochure

Become a Youth Peer Advocate