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Regular Session, 2014
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 87
BY SENATOR BROOME
COMMENDATIONS. Commends the service and contributions of Magellan Youth Leaders
Inspiring Future Empowerment (MY LIFE) and recognizes Thursday, May 8, 2014, as MY
LIFE Youth Day at the State Capitol.
A RESOLUTION1
To commend the service and contributions of Magellan Youth Leaders Inspiring Future2
Empowerment, known as MY LIFE, and recognize Thursday, May 8, 2014, as MY3
LIFE Youth Day at the State Capitol.4
WHEREAS, behavioral health experts across the country now recognize that5
involving youth in the policies, programs and systems that serve them improves outcomes6
for youth, helps them develop relationships, acquire new skills, improve behavior, build7
self-confidence, instill positive social supports, and cultivate leadership skills; and8
WHEREAS, youth involvement in shaping policy and systems that serve them not9
only benefits the individual youth involved, but also can be very beneficial to those systems,10
agencies, communities, and the state as a whole; and 11
WHEREAS, Magellan Health Services created MY LIFE, now with 11 groups in five12
states with more than 500 youth regularly involved, as a free community program for youth13
between the ages of 13 and 23 who have experience with mental health, substance use, foster14
care-related and/or other challenges as a way to meet the need to involve youth in the15
systems that serve them; and 16
WHEREAS, through regular meetings, special events, presentations and17
performances, MY LIFE members provide support for their peers; develop critical skills in18 SR NO. 87
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leadership, mentoring and mental health resiliency; act as advisors to Magellan and local1
officials to help improve services and systems that serve youth; and provide a much-needed2
voice in the community to combat the stigma associated with behavioral health issues; and3
WHEREAS, in July 2012, MY LIFE Louisiana was established by Magellan4
Behavioral Health in Louisiana with MY LIFE groups started in Baton Rouge and5
Shreveport, and with an expansion group coming to Tangipahoa Parish; and 6
WHEREAS, MY LIFE Louisiana has had many great empowerment events for7
youth, including 42 monthly MY LIFE meetings averaging 35 attendees per meeting, as well8
as the first ever MY Fest Louisiana event on November 2, 2013, in downtown Baton Rouge9
where more than 1,200 attendees from across the state were educated about mental health,10
substance use, foster care, and juvenile justice-related issues in order to share resources,11
create awareness, and reduce stigma associated with these issues; and12
WHEREAS, the first annual Louisiana "MY LIFE Youth Day at the Capitol" is being13
held on Thursday, May 8, 2014, which is also National Children's Mental Health Awareness14
Day, to bring youth from around the state to the Capitol to provide them a truly unique15
hands-on educational experience to learn about our state government process, interact with16
state legislators, and participate in other activities with a focus on empowering youth to17
develop leadership skills, social skills, and greater self-confidence; and 18
WHEREAS, MY LIFE Louisiana programs and activities have flourished due to the19
great support and partnerships of other youth serving organizations including the Louisiana20
Behavioral Health Partnership, Family Youth and Service Center, Goodwill of North21
Louisiana, Capitol Area Human Services, Ekhaya Youth Project, Project BRAVE, City22
Year, Youth Oasis, B.R.A.C.E.S., Office of Juvenile Justice, VIP Project, faith based groups,23
and other organizations.24
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana25
does hereby commend the service and contributions of MY LIFE (Magellan Youth Leaders26
Inspiring Future Empowerment) and does hereby recognize Thursday, May 8, 2014, as MY27
LIFE Youth Day at the State Capitol.28
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to MY29
LIFE Louisiana.30 SR NO. 87
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The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jerry J. Guillot.
DIGEST
Broome SR No. 87
Commends the service and contributions of MY LIFE (Magellan Youth Leaders Inspiring
Future Empowerment) and recognizes Thursday, May 8, 2014, as MY LIFE Youth Day at
the State Capitol.