Join our monthly virtual series tackling the issues that matter most to youth and those who support them.
What is Connecting Minds, Strengthening Communities?
"Connecting Minds, Strengthening Communities" is Arizona Youth Partnership’s monthly virtual series designed to bring experts, community leaders, and families together to discuss critical issues impacting youth and families in Arizona. From substance misuse and youth mental health to homelessness and healthy relationships, we provide valuable insights and tools to help caregivers and community members empower the next generation.
Each session is free to attend and available live on Facebook.
You can find past broadcasts below for viewing at your convenience.
Join Us for These Monthly Topics
Discover actionable strategies and trending information on these pressing issues
Help Us Strengthen Communities
You can make a difference by supporting Connecting Minds, Strengthening Communities. Your sponsorship helps us deliver this vital information to parents, caregivers, and community members across Arizona.
Benefits of Sponsorship
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Watch Anytime: Past Sessions On Demand
TARGETED: SOCIAL MEDIA & YOUTH -
LANGUAGE, EMOJIS, & APPS
During this discussion, we explored how social media influences youth communication, peer interactions, and potential risks.
A huge thank you to Robert DeVries for sharing valuable insights on how social media influences youth and what parents & caregivers should know. Learn more about Robert’s impactful work at MSTEPP.
💬 Key Topics Covered:
✅ The evolving digital language of youth
✅ Hidden meanings behind emojis & slang
✅ Popular apps and their potential risks
✅ How parents & caregivers can stay informed
NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH
This month, in honor of National Nutrition Month, we’re excited to welcome Preston Harris, PhD, RDN, CLT as our featured speaker. Dr. Harris, a leading expert in nutrition and wellness, will discuss the critical role of nutrition in youth development and overall well-being. Learn how balanced diets, healthy eating habits, and proper nutrition impact physical health, cognitive function, and long-term success for young people in our communities.
🔹 Nutrition Trends (foods & social media)
🔹 How can families support healthy eating habits?
🔹 Tips for Youth & Parents/Caregivers
Visit www.dukenutritionexperts.com to learn more about their services.
YOUTH FINANCIAL LITERACY
In this May edition we explore the power of financial literacy in helping youth build a strong foundation for adulthood.
Our featured guest, Orlando Guillen from Vantage West Credit Union, shares valuable insights on how financial education can reduce stress, promote smarter decision-making, and empower young people to build a more resilient future.
💸 Key questions explored in this session include:
🔹 How can “buy now, pay later” apps like Afterpay and Klarna impact a young person’s financial health?
🔹 Why might a credit union, like Vantage West, be a better banking option for youth than traditional banks?
🔹 How can parents and caregivers help prepare youth for financial independence while still offering guidance and a safety net?
Whether you're a parent, educator, or youth mentor, this session provides practical strategies and real-life advice to support financial empowerment.
Thank you to Vantage West for being a Silver Sponsor of the CMSC series!
KEEP OUR YOUTH SAFE
In this July edition of Connecting Minds, Strengthening Communities, we focus on practical ways to keep youth safe. Our panel of expert guest speakers includes:
👥 Amy Lantz, Speak Up Be Safe Coordinator, Childhelp
👥 Pete Plahmer, Trauma Outreach & Injury Prevention Coordinator, Banner University Medical Center
👥 Sergeant Jessina Janes & Deputy Elliott Lyle, Pima County Sheriff's Department
Together, we discuss: Water Safety Tips for summer activities, Warning Signs of Abuse in sports and extracurricular settings, and Spatial Awareness and Personal Safety as youth return to school.
📚 Resources Shared During the Session:
🔹 Learn more about trauma and injury prevention at Banner UMC:
https://surgery.arizona.edu/divisions-and-sections/trauma-surgical-critical-care-burns-and-acute-care-surgery/services/trauma
🔹 Explore Childhelp’s child abuse prevention education:
https://www.childhelp.org/
📞 National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-422-4453
🔹 Learn about the Pima County Sheriff’s Department School Resource Officer (SRO) program and community services:
https://www.pimasheriff.org/services/SRO
👉 We encourage you to check your own county’s sheriff department website to see what youth safety services are available in your area.
TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS: HELPING YOUTH ESTABLISH HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS
While February’s Connecting Minds, Strengthening Communities session isn’t available on video, we’ve created a helpful worksheet with the key topics and practical strategies to support youth in building healthy, respectful relationships.
✅ Download the worksheet here:
ALCOHOL AWARENESS & REDUCING UNDERAGE DRINKING
In this April edition we’re recognizing Alcohol Awareness Month with an important conversation on Reducing Underaged Drinking.
Our featured speaker, Jessica Valadez, Prevention Specialist with the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control (DLLC) Education and Prevention Unit, shares essential information for youth, parents/caregivers, and community members on preventing underage alcohol use and promoting safer environments.
🧠 Key questions discussed:
🔹 What are the biggest health and safety risks teens face when they drink underage, and how can they protect themselves?
🔹 What signs should parents look for if they suspect their teen might be drinking?
🔹 How can community members report suspicious activity—like adults buying alcohol for teens—without escalating tensions?
📌 Resources shared during the session:
📞 Report underage drinking: 1-877-668-5345 or 602-364-0079
📞 Report complaints (e.g. over-serving, violence at establishments): 602-542-9062
🌐 Learn more: azliquor.gov
RUNAWAY & HOMELESSNESS YOUTH: UNDERSTANDING VARIED EXPERIENCES
In this June edition we focus on the complex and diverse realities of runaway and homeless youth.
Our featured speaker, Matt Finley, Prevention Specialist and Youth Services Planner with the Maricopa Association of Governments and the Maricopa Regional Continuum of Care, offers critical insight into the unique challenges facing youth experiencing homelessness, especially those who identify as LGBTQ+, live in rural communities, or have experience in the foster care system.
🧠 Key questions discussed:
🔹 What resources are available for homeless youth, especially LGBTQ+, rural, or foster care youth, and how can they access them?
🔹 How can marginalized youth identify and avoid discrimination when seeking help?
🔹 What role can community members play in providing safe, inclusive support for youth in crisis?
📌 Resources shared during the session:
📞 Teen Lifeline: 1-800-248-8336
📞 National Runaway Safeline: 1-800-786-2929
📞 Suicide and Crisis Line: 988
YOUTH FRIENDSHIP
Join us for this session of Connecting Minds, Strengthening Communities as we explore Youth Friendship: How social media influences youth's friendships.
This important conversation highlights the ways social media impacts bullying prevention, online awareness, and the safety of young people navigating friendships in today’s digital world.
We’re honored to be joined by Kacie Passamonte, Prevention Operations and Support Manager at Childhelp, who brings over 20 years of experience working with youth as an educator, advocate, and coach. Kacie helps lead child abuse prevention efforts through education, training, and curriculum development, and shares her deep understanding of the challenges youth face today.
✨ Together, we’ll discuss:
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How social media shapes youth friendships
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The risks and threats young people encounter online
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Practical strategies for parents, caregivers, and communities to support safe and healthy friendships
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📘 Below are two helpful resource documents:
Learn more about Childhelp's Speak Up Be Safe here
KEEP OUR YOUTH SAFE
In this September edition of Connecting Minds, Strengthening Communities, we tackle a deeply important topic: Suicide Prevention—Supporting Youth Who Have Experienced Loss.
We’re honored to welcome Jacob Meyer-Van Damme, Territory Director for Charlie Health, who partners with hospitals, schools, and community providers to expand access to care across Southern Arizona.
Jacob will help answer tough but vital questions, including:
✨ How can youth cope with grief after losing someone to suicide?
✨ What unique challenges do they face, and what are the first steps to healing? ✨ What warning signs should parents and caregivers look for?
✨ How can community leaders help reduce stigma and build prevention through education?
📌 Resources:
- National 24-Hour Crisis Hotlines:
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988
- National Substance Use and Disorder Issues Referral and Treatment Hotline:
1-800-662-HELP (4357)
- Charlie Health: www.charliehealth.com
Admissions: 1 (866) 948-2178
- Arizona Statewide Crisis Hotline: 1-844-534-HOPE (4673)
- Teen Lifeline: 602-248-TEEN (8336)
YOUTH SUBSTANCE USE: IT'S HAPPENING
In this October edition of Connecting Minds, Strengthening Communities session, we’re diving into an important topic — Youth Substance Use.
Together, we explore what Arizona youth, parents, and schools can do to stay informed and proactive about emerging trends and prevention strategies.
Here are some of the key questions discussed in this session:
1️⃣ How can youth handle peer pressure at school events or parties, especially with the rise of fentanyl-laced vapes?
2️⃣ How is social media fueling prescription pill misuse among youth — and what red flags should you watch for?
3️⃣ What steps should parents take if they see substance-related content or links online?
4️⃣ How can schools and youth organizations work with prevention partners to strengthen fentanyl education in Arizona?
📌 Resources:
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