PASE Network News

The Academy for Community Behavioral Health invites NYC community-based organizations (CBOs) to apply to host Youth Mental Health Advocates between January 2027 - July 2027. The Youth Mental Health Advocate (YMHA) fellowship provides a path to the helping professions for young adults who are of the communities that CBOs serve. With training and coaching from the Academy and supervision at their host organization, Youth Advocates apply their talents, skills, and insights to strengthen youth-centered mental health support in NYC. Eligible organizations should provide direct services to youth between ages 10-21. Each selected organization will recruit and host at least 3 (and no more than 6) Youth Mental Health Advocates between the ages of 18-24 who have completed high school or a GED but do not have a college degree and are not currently enrolled. Youth Advocates receive a fellowship stipend of $10,000, 100+ hours of training and coaching from the Academy, access to free college credits, support to take a next step in their education or career, and more. Host organizations receive a flexible grant of at least $4,500. Interested organizations can find a full program overview on the Academy's website, and should apply by November 2, 2026. 

The latest edition of the popular guidebook, Understanding FAFSA and Financial Aid: Your Guide to Paying for College, was recently released, with updates for the Class of 2027. The guide takes students, families, and educators through the process from researching higher education institutions and their various deadlines to accepting an offer and paying tuition. This newest addition includes features and sections inspired by student, family, and educator feedback, including instructions for finding your official financial aid letter, tips for finding private scholarships, and tools to help you plan your finances for advanced studies, including graduate and professional school. 

Young people navigate friendships, creativity, information, and pressure across both online and offline spaces. OST professionals can help them pause, reflect, and make sense of how their digital experiences affect their well-being. Join the Collaborative for Advancing Healthy Experiences in OST on October 29, 2026 from 3:00 PM –3:45 PM for a free virtual training during U.S. Media Literacy Week. Together, participants will explore youth-centered approaches to digital wellness and try a digital mapping activity they can adapt to help young people reflect on their own media experiences. Register via Zoom. 

Lights On Afterschool, a project of Afterschool Alliance and a national celebration of afterschool, is just around the corner on October 22, 2026. Since 2000, Lights On Afterschool has been celebrated nationwide to call attention to the importance of afterschool programs for America's children, families and communities. Today, more than 8,000 Lights On Afterschool rallies are held annually, attracting 1 million Americans and media coverage nationwide. If you're planning to join the movement this year, check out some ideas from Afterschool Alliance on how to celebrate your students and programs. 

Youth development organizational leaders – are you looking to connect with peers and learn timely updates that impact the sector? Join Coalition of Youth Development Intermediaries for monthly Power Hours, a collaborative initiative designed to strengthen and sustain the youth services sector across NYC. Sessions include legal briefings, advocacy, and other timely updates. The remaining monthly sessions for Fall 2026 are October 20, 2026, November 17, 2026, and December 15, 2026 from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM. Register for sessions via Zoom.