Long Island Families Together

10/14/2025

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-asymmetric-brain/202510/screen-time-and-mental-illness-is-more-always-worse
📱 New Study on Screen Time & Teen Mental Health
A recent large‐scale study of over 23,000 adolescents suggests that spending 3–4+ hours daily on screens (TV, gaming, social media) is linked with a higher chance of having a psychiatric diagnosis. But the picture is more complex: genetic risk factors also seem to play a role.

More time is linked to a higher rate of disorder, but that's not all.

10/14/2025

⏰ Heads up! Registration for our Zoom events will now close 24 hours before the event starts. Don’t wait! Sign up early to secure your spot!

Life Beyond 21: Parent Support for Adult Children with Disabilities

October 15 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

A group offering support for parents navigating adulthood with their children who have developmental or physical disabilities. Discuss topics like independent living, employment, benefits, and healthcare.

Register Here: https://tinyurl.com/Parents-of-Adults

10/12/2025

These workshops are free, virtual, and open to all NY families.

Navigating special education can feel overwhelming — but you don’t have to do it alone.

Our upcoming workshop, Understanding Your Role in the Special Education Process, is part of our 2025–2026 Special Education Learning Series, and will guide parents and caregivers through the essential steps of the special education process.

Register for our FREE Virtual Workshop: https://parentnetworkwny.org/events/understanding-your-role-in-the-special-education-process/

10/11/2025

Connect with a Parent Match in New York State

If you live in New York State and would like to be matched with a Support Parent, please complete and submit this form. We will act on your request as quickly as possible, however, please keep in mind that our Coordinators are parents themselves and most work on a part-time basis. You may follow-up on this request by phoning your Regional Coordinator if you feel it is necessary.

https://tinyurl.com/Request-a-Parent-Match

10/11/2025

⏰ Heads up! Registration for our Zoom events will now close 24 hours before the event starts. Don’t wait! Sign up early to secure your spot!

Black, Indigenous, Person of Color (BIPOC) virtual Parent Group

October 16 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Are you a Black, Indigenous, Person of Color (BIPOC) AND a parent or caretaker of a loved one with special needs 21 years old and under? Let’s come together as a group to learn, share our experiences, resources and empower each other in this safe and confidential space.

Register Here: https://tinyurl.com/BIPOC-Parent-Group

10/11/2025

Happy National Chess Day! ♟️
At LIFT, we love seeing families come together over games that build connection, patience, and focus. Whether it’s chess or checkers, play strengthens minds and hearts — a reminder that community time is powerful therapy for our emotional health and wellness. Family play is therapy for the mind and heart. 💛

10/11/2025

We deeply appreciate Senator Dean Murray for joining LIFT’s Legislative Breakfast and for standing with Long Island families as we work together to strengthen mental health and wellness in our communities.

This morning, I attended a Legislative Breakfast hosted by Long Island Families Together (LIFT). This organization is dedicated to raising awareness about the needs of all families raising children and youth with emotional, behavioral and mental health challenges. Thank you for the invitation and for this very informative meeting, it was greatly appreciated.

10/10/2025

What helps your family stay grounded? 🌿
For some, it’s laughter. For others, it’s asking for help, sharing a meal, or finding a quiet moment to breathe.

On World Mental Health Day, LIFT celebrates the power of families — and the communities that lift them up.
Because mental wellness grows when support does. 💚

Share one way your family nurtures connection and calm. You never know who might need that reminder today.

10/08/2025

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_EtuIg2oATxmOiw2rtCnuOA #/registration

This World Mental Health Day session will feature expert speakers with professional and personal experience discussing: "Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies". This theme aims to highlight the importance of ensuring mental health services are available during times of cr...

10/07/2025

Open to all foster, kinship and adoptive parents throughout the State! Join us on Monday, October 27th for a Special Virtual Presentation. Attorneys Mitch Weisbrot and Andrew Cohen will present: Preparing for the Future Will and Estate Planning Basics for Adoptive, Foster and Kinship Families: Preparing for when you’re no longer here. Learn how to safeguard your child financially and legally, with a focus on children with special needs.

Visit affcny.org/rsvp to register now!

10/07/2025

🥚 Start smart! A protein-rich first meal helps steady your energy, focus, and mood all morning long. 🍳 Your ADHD brain will thank you for the fuel!

Find some breakfast tips at https://chadd.org/adhd-news/adhd-news-caregivers/encourage-health-eating-even-when-your-childs-appetite-is-low/