Sara I. Taylor BSW, MS, FPA-P, CEO, Positive Steps

Sara I. Taylor is the Founding President and Chief Executive Officer of Positive Steps (www.positivestepsny.com). Sara is also employed full time as a Training Specialist and Community Liaison in western New York where she focuses on social justice and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives. Sara’s 20+ year career, across multiple industries, ranges from direct-care front-line social worker to senior-level administrator. Sara became frustrated while navigating the complex mental health system trying to access services for her child, and connected with other parents in psychiatric emergency rooms who began to share their lived experiences. She convened a group of parents and caregivers of color who decided to elevate their voices to address inequities across the mental health system and develop peer support and resource groups for black and brown parents with similar experiences. Together they birthed the vision for the Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) PEEEEEEK Parent Mental Health Project (www.bipoarentvoice.org) in upstate NY.