Finger Lakes Parent Network, Inc. has been honored at the New York State Office of Mental Health’s ‘What’s Great in our State 2016’, an event that celebrates the people and programs making a difference in the field of children’s mental health. The award winner was recognized at an event on May 3, 2016, in Albany.

“The people involved with the Finger Lakes Parent Network are making exceptional strides to bring peer support to children with mental health needs,” said New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Marie T. Sullivan. “We thank themtheir hard work and commitment to the cause of mental health awareness.”

The Finger Lakes Parent Network brings youth-led programs to nine counties in Western New York in order to encourage and empower children with behavioral health issues. The children participate in community service activities, support groups, peer networking opportunities and other educational events in order to reduce “at risk” behaviors and promote healthy relationships and lifestyles.

The Finger Lakes Parent Network was honored by the Office of Mental Health for its extraordinary commitment to children’s mental health issues and its efforts to enrich the lives of children with mental health issues.

“Finger Lakes Parent Network would like to thank the Office of Mental Health for this touching honor,” said Patti Dinardo, Executive Director of the Finger Lakes Parent Network. “We are so proud of the great strides our program has made to foster the inclusion of parent participation at both local and state decision-making teams. We are committed to helping our youth become self-advocates and continue to shape the changing face of the mental health system. Together we can reduce stigma and increase awareness of mental health needs for all.”

 ‘What’s Great in Our State’ is an annual event hosted by the New York State Office of Mental Health, the New York State Council on Children and Families, and a number of children’s mental health advocacy organizations which celebrates individuals and programs that are successfully advancing the cause of children’s mental health in New York State. The event features a reading of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s announcement proclaiming the week as Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, a ceremony recognizing people and programs creating positive change in the children’s mental health system, and an art show featuring artwork created by children receiving services from New York State’s mental health system.

Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, a national event, seeks to raise awareness about the importance of children’s mental health and to show that positive mental health is essential to a child’s healthy development from birth.