The Lower Hudson Valley Special Education Task Force, a regional affiliate of the New York State Special Education Task Force, is pleased to announce its kick-off training and discussion event, “Emotional Disabilities and Anxiety in Youth: Parent and School Partnerships that Work”. The discussion will focus on the increasing concern and awareness of children with anxiety and emotional disabilities. According to recent Center for Disease Control statistics, approximately one in five children in the U.S. will experience a mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder between kindergarten and graduation. Failure to address children’s mental health needs can lead to poor academic performance, behavior problems, school violence, substance abuse, suicide, and criminal activity. Often, parents and school districts do not heed or understand early warning signs. As a result, a child’s situation may spiral into crisis before schools or parents can work together to develop a plan that keeps the child in public school with appropriate services. Parents, teachers, special educators, psychologists, and other professionals are encouraged to attend.
Speakers:
Dr. Suanne Mallenbaum, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist; Stephanie Roebuck, Esq., Keane and Beane PC, School District Attorney; Marion Walsh, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP, Parents’ Attorney; Dr. Carolyn McGuffog, Director of Educational Services, Pleasantville Central School District; Dr. Jeanean Hergenrother, School Psychologist, Pelham Union Free School District; Michael Orth, Westchester County Deputy Commissioner of Community Mental Health