Early identification and treatment of psychosis leads to improved outcomes for those experiencing it. During this month's learning community, we'll be discussing the common signs and symptoms of first episode psychosis (FEP), how to identify the phases of psychosis, risk factors for FEP, and best practices for supporting young people experiencing FEP.
These monthly forums are an opportunity to connect with others who share concern and passion for developmentally appropriate and appealing systems and supports for youth and young adults. Maybe you're a peer support provider or a new professional with lived experience working in mental health advocacy. Whatever your role, if you are a young adult professional seeking to make peer-to-peer connections and develop your professional capacity, this learning community offers a space to acquire and build skills with other mental health workforce professionals.
We hope you will join us in collective skill-building, engaging conversations, and young professional networking.
The target audience for this learning community is young professionals working with youth and young adults of transition age.
Kristin Thorp, Youth Program Director, Youth MOVE National
Kristin has ten years of experience in advocacy and youth leadership and program development with a special focus on the mental health and criminal justice systems. She currently serves as a Youth Program Director, where she is a national technical assistance provider on the development, implementation, and sustainability of quality youth programming and supports organizations develop meaningful and mutual partnerships with youth, young adults, and system leaders to advance best practices for youth engagement. Kristin is an advisor on the System of Care Children’s Mental Health Initiative and supports the implementation of national evaluation efforts by conducting qualitative and quantitative research, utilizing data to determine and define technical assistance needs for grantee communities. Prior to joining Youth MOVE National, Kristin was the Continuous Quality Improvement Coordinator for Maine’s System of Care. In this role, she offered technical assistance, training, and consultation to government agencies, providers, and communities on incorporating and embedding trauma-informed principles and practices and developing a youth guided system. Kristin has utilized her own lived experience, passion, and expertise in the field of positive youth development to bridge multiple perspectives to promote trauma-informed approaches to recovery.
Joshua Calarino, Youth Program Specialist, Youth MOVE National
Joshua's journey began with Youth MOVE Miami. He had gone the first time to simply attend a Salsa dance class. It was through the arts that Joshua became connected with himself and his peers. From there he slowly got out of his shell and learned about the Youth Movement. It was there that he found his voice and learned to use it. He slowly became a leader who used his lived experience to advocate for local, even state, policy surrounding systems of care. It was through his passion and dedication that he became a national leader speaking at conferences and affecting change all over the country. His hope is that youth can become leaders just like he has become. He also hopes to give to others what Youth MOVE gave to him: a voice and a message to spread. On his off time Joshua loves to travel and eat new foods!
