News and Events Archive

Please note that the staff listed as contacts on these archive pages may not be current. You may also find links that lead to archived pages. Please check our staff listing for current staff contacts and please use our main navigation to access other sections of the website.

Donate a Phone

WIHD is collecting used cell phones to help generate funds to support some of our programs for children with disabilities.

All donations are tax deductible; a downloadable tax receipt can be found at http://www.wirelessfoundation.org/
CalltoProtect/CTP_DonationReceipt.PDF. Each cell phone collected will generate between $3.00 and $4.00 for WIHD programs, with newer models bringing up to twice as much. Just drop off your phone between June 21^st and December 31^st, 2003 at any of the following locations:

Westchester Medical Center

WIHD
Cedarwood Hall 2^nd Floor (Contact Joan Varricchio at 493.8168)

Radiology
Main Hospital (Contact Debby Barbera at 493.1428)

Human Resources
Elmwood Hall 3^rd Floor (Contact Agnes Manganelli at 493.8125)

Cold Spring, NY

Haldane Central Schools - District Office
Village Cutters
Cathryn's Tuscan Grill
Butterfield Library

For further information, please contact David O'Hara at 914.493.8202 or by email to wihd@nymc.edu.

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First Oral Health Forum at WIHD

WIHD held its first Oral Health Forum on Thursday October 2, 2003. This train-the-trainer initiative provided information in best oral health practices for clinicians and supervisors of direct care staff who care for individuals with developmental disabilities.

There were more than 125 conference participants on hand for presentations on a variety of topics, including:

• nutrition
• oral health complications
• behavioral modification and densensitization
• informed consent
• vrestraints
• denture care

Program presenters, left to right: Roderick MacRae, DDS, Nancy Dougherty, DMD, Patricia Seagriff-Curtin, DDS, Marilyn Tessel, RDH, Jane Lemkin, MSW, Maureen Romer, DDS, and Willie Bryant, DDS (missing from picture: James Debany, MA, CSW and Shoshana Shinnar, RD, MS)

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Mitchell Levitz elected to serve on the NDSS Board

Mitchell Levitz, Consumer Issues Specialist at WIHD, was recently elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS). Self-advocates are an important component of the NDSS board, and Mr. Levitz brings with him many years of advocacy experience, as well as an avid interest in policy and government. In addition to his board appointment, he has been an active member of the NDSS Self-Advocate Advisory Board.

Established in 1979, the mission of the National Down Syndrome Society is to benefit people with Down syndrome and their families through national leadership in education, research and advocacy. Over the past 24 years, NDSS has made great strides in each of these three primary focus areas. Among many other accomplishments, the Society engages in significant public education efforts, is the largest private funder of Down syndrome research, and organizes the Buddy Walk, the only national advocacy walk for Down syndrome awareness.

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Dr. Andrea Garry Receives Award for Her Work with Children

Andrea Garry, WIHD psychologist, was recently honored by the Westchester County Foster and Adoptive Parents' Association. As an Exemplary Award recipient, Dr. Garry was recognized for the commitment she has shown to families and children served by child welfare programs in Westchester County. The WIHD Family Program, in partnership with the Westchester County Department of Social Services, works to ensure that children are living in healthy, safe, permanent homes. Dr. Garry provides direct assessment and intervention services within the Family Program, as well as the LEAP program, and supervises and mentors WIHD Clinical Fellows.

Dr. Garry received her doctorate in clinical psychology from Yeshiva University and the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology. She completed post-doctoral training at WIHD, and joined the staff in 1998 after completing the LEND Fellowship Program. In July of 2003, Dr. Garry will complete a two-year post-doctoral training at the Albert Ellis Institute where she has been a part-time fellow.

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Recruitment Continues for 2003-2004 LEND Fellows

The LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and other Disabilities) Program provides intensive training for advanced graduate students and post-doctoral fellows interested in pursuing careers in the field of neurodevelopmental and related disabilities. The core training sequence requires a minimum commitment of two-and one-half days per week, including all day Thursday, from September to May. Many participants, however, complete the program as a component of full-time fellowships. Stipend support is available, in part, through a grant from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Through the LEND Program, students and fellows receive advanced clinical training in the following disciplines:

• Audiology
• Child Psychiatry
• Developmental Pediatrics
• Health Administration
• Nursing
• Nutrition
• Occupational Therapy
• Physical Therapy
• Psychology
• Public Health Social Work
• Special Education
• Speech-Language Pathology

Participants in the LEND Program also receive intensive preparation for interdisciplinary roles. The goal of the program is to prepare professionals who are able to respond to the health care needs of children with, or at risk for, neurodevelopmental and related disabilities. Training is focused on developing the skills needed to be effective agents in the creation of health care systems that will benefit these children and their families.

The LEND curriculum includes an overview course, clinical experiences at WIHD and in the community, leadership development activities, and research. Students and fellows are expected to complete a research project during the year with the support of faculty members. The training has an interdisciplinary focus, placing particular emphasis on community-based and culturally-appropriate services for individuals and families. An individualized, competency-based training plan is developed for each student or fellow, which is then tracked throughout the year. At the end of the academic year, students and fellows present their research at a poster session at the Institute and receive a portfolio documenting their achievements.

If you are interested in applying for the fellowship or would like more information, please contact Katie Sara by e-mail at katie_sara@nymc.edu.

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Family and Community Day Celebration

On Saturday March 29, WIHD concluded its Disabilities Awareness Month activities with a Family and Community Day celebration. The morning event was attended by more than 200 parents and children of the Family Connection. On hand were plenty of fun and creative activities for children and siblings, music, raffles, and the opportunity for parents to meet with and get to know other parents. Arrangements were also made for families to tour the Regional Technology Center and the Technology Loan Program at WIHD. In the afternoon, the Consumer Resource Center hosted a celebration focusing on the abilities and success stories of adults with disabilities. Through interviews, videos, live performances and guest speakers, attendees were provided with terrific examples of what folks with disabilities can accomplish!

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Disabilities Awareness Month - March 2003

March is celebrated nationally as Disabilities Awareness Month. In this month of recognition we strive to increase public understanding of people who have developmental disabilities so these citizens will have increased access to employment, education, housing, and social opportunities.

Goals for this month:

• To appreciate the contributions people with disabilities make to our society.
• To help improve attitudes and eliminate stereotypes that hold back people with disabilities.
• To learn to separate people from their disabilities, so their talents and skills are recognized.

What Can I Do?

• Learn about different disabilities and how they affect people.
• Support the efforts of people with disabilities to lead full lives, work at rewarding jobs, and participate in all aspects of life.
• Correct and challenge stereotypes in everyday conversation and in media.
• Support groups and organizations that work with people with disabilities.

Disabilities Awareness Month Activities

Friday 3/7: Information booths will be set up in NYMC Basic Science Building (9:00 am - 1:00 pm) and the Lobby of the Main Hospital (1:00 pm - 4:00 pm). WIHD staff will be available to answer questions and provide general information about disabilities and some of the programs and services available at WIHD.

Friday 3/14: The Assistive Technology Team at WIHD is sponsoring a day at the Institute for a group of middle school students from the area. Through discussion, demonstration, and hands-on activities, students will learn of ways that their peers with physical or/and communication difficulties can independently negotiate the school and community environment. Students will have the opportunity to try out low-tech to high-tech tools used to increase communication and mobility, talk to young adults with disabilities about their school experiences, and discuss careers in the field of assistive technology with professionals.

Wednesday 3/19: Eighth Annual Epilepsy Symposium, Recent Advances in the Treatment of Epilepsy in Adults with Developmental Disabilities. Cedarwood Hall Auditorium. For more information, contact NYMC Office of Continuing Medical Education (914.594.4487).

Saturday 3/29: Family and Community Day. WIHD will host a get together for families of the Family Connection from 9:30 am - 12:30 pm. There will be a variety of interesting, hands-on activities for children and siblings. Parents will have the opportunity to network with other families, as well as learn about the new Children's Hospital and the Regional Technology Center. There will also be an opportunity to swap special needs books, music, toys, and equipment. From 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm, the Consumer Resource Center will host a celebration focusing on the abilities of adults with developmental disabilities and their success stories.

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Tech Tools for Adults with Learning Disabilities

WIHD staff members will be providing support and training to tutors from the Literacy Volunteers of Westchester County.

The Tech Tools Project is a collaboration of the Westchester Library System, the White Plains Public Library, Literacy Volunteers of Westchester County, and WIHD. It is scheduled to kick-off in February of 2003 with training being provided by MG Power and Patti Slobogin of the Lower Hudson Valley Regional Technology Center at WIHD.

The program is designed to provide supported access to technological tools for adults with learning disabilities. A computer lab with specialized software has been created in the Family Learning Center at the White Plains Library where Literacy Volunteers work with their students. Tutors and adult learners will be trained in the software supports and will integrate their use into their work to increase access to information and practice learning activities for the students.

The Tech Tools Project is funded by an Adult Literacy grant from New York State.