CERTIFICATE

1. Damie T. Jackson-Diop, Youth Transition Program Director
209B North Graham Hopedale Church Road. Burlington, NC 27217
Ph: 336.395.8828 Fx: 866-241-7111
North Carolina Families United, FFCMH, Inc.
206 East Elm Street, Graham, NC
Phone: 336-395-8828 Fax: 336-395-8830 Cell: 336-215-642
August 6, 2014
InnerVision
415 E 4th St
Charlotte, NC 28202
Dear Mr. Hearst,
During the month of August 2014, NC Families United, Inc., and our youth partner, Youth M.O.V.E. North Carolina will
host a Youth Adult Leadership Series Training of Trainers (TOT). This simulation-based training is geared to emerging
young adults (14-26) struggling with emotional/behavioral health concerns. Team members (consisting of 1-2 young
adults, a family partner/caregiver,and 1-2 agency partners) are asked to attend a week-long training to be trained on the
curriculum entitled: Young Adult Leadership: Training Tomorrow’s Leaders,Today. The simulation-based TOT is
sponsored by North Carolina Families United and funded by the State Collaborative on Children Youth and Families
Training and Technical Assistance Committee and the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and
Substance Abuse Services (DMHDDSAS) to improve the quality and outcomes of community based services in
accordance with P.L. 102-321 (ADM Community Mental Health Services Block Grant under the Center for Mental
Health Services/SAMHSA.
During the week long simulation-based training, attendees (including young adults) will learn a trauma-informed
approach to facilitating a seven session youth-led leadership series geared to young adults struggling with significant
emotional/behavioral health concerns. The seven sessions include: Telling Your Story the Road to Leadership, Young
Adults Wellness Recovery Action Planning (W.R.A.P.),Youth Mental Health First Aid, and Advocacy for Self and
Others. Youth representatives who have participated in the leadership series go on to enhance their skills as a member of
Youth (Motivating Others through Voices of Experience) M.O.V.E. During their structured monthly meeting they sharpen
their skills to speak to groups and learn processes to promote legislative change. Their activities include leadership,
advocacy, program planning, writing policy and opinion statements,and teamwork. Many of our young adults participate
in local and statewide conferences as well as legislative functions on behalf of their peers with the goal of informing
youth-serving agencies.
One of your staff members,Mitchell Gatewood whom attended the NCMHCO Conference Youth M.O.V.E. Workshop in
June in Raleigh, N.C. has been asked to participate as a member of a Team in the role of Agency Partner to implement a
youth-led leadership series and establish a chapter of Youth M.O.V.E. in Charlotte- Mecklenburg County. I am requesting
that your organization permit Mr. Gatewood to join youth representatives from Charlotte and Teams throughout the state
to support building Youth Leadership Training services and supports that are geared towards building resilience and youth
recovery!
Thank you for your consideration,
Very Sincerely Yours, Damie Jackson-Diop, North Carolina Families United-Youth Transition Program Director &
Youth M.O.V.E. – North Carolina