How to Support Your Child’s Vocabulary Development in the Home (Disponible En Español)
2022-04-20 13:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom Meeting
Will be given in English and Spanish simultaneously in 2 separate breakout rooms. This training focuses on the importance of vocabulary exposure for children in early childhood. We will share ways to increase your child’s language in the home with tips from the Little Talks program out of Lehigh University which includes the following 3 stages: 1) praising child through words and actions, 2) following the child’s lead, and 3) engaging the child in vocabulary-rich activities: Slides and additional materials will be shared following attendance at the session. The training with be 1.5 hours including Q&A time.
Cómo Apoyar el Desarrollo Vocabulario de su Hijo en el Hogar
Se impartirá en inglés y español simultáneamente en 2 diferentes salas de Zoom. Esta capacitación se centra en la importancia de la exposición al vocabulario para los niños en la primera infancia. Compartiremos formas de aumentar el lenguaje de su hijo en el hogar con consejos del programa Little Talks de la Universidad de Lehigh, que incluye la siguiente tres etapas: 1) elogiar al niño a través de palabras y acciones, 2) seguir el ejemplo del niño e 3) involucrar al niño en actividades ricas en vocabulario. Se compartirán diapositivas y materiales adicionales después de la asistencia a la sesión. La capacitación será una hora y media, incluyendo el tiempo de preguntas y respuestas.

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Hear Our Voices - What You Can Get Approve With SD Budget
2022-04-20 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom Meeting
Self-direction budget
What you can get approve with SD budget.

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Understanding Services Provided through a Section 504 Accommodation Plan
2022-04-20 18:00 - 19:30 | Zoom Meeting
It’s Annual Review/CSE Meeting Time
• Are you concerned about the loss of special education services and supports if your child is declassified?
• Are you confused about the differences between an IEP and 504 Plan?
• Are you wondering if a 504 Plan is better than an IEP for your college-bound student?
If you are, this FREE information session is for you!
This virtual presentation will provide participants with a better understanding of the laws that affect students with disabilities and how services and supports can be provided to ensure students are participating fully in the programs and services offered in the general education curriculum. Differences between a Section 504 Accommodation Plan and an Individualized Education Program (IEP) will be reviewed. Members of the Mid-Hudson Special Education Task Force will be ready to answer your questions.
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Event Flyer

Virtual Parent Member Training
2022-04-21 09:00 - 14:00 | Zoom Meeting
Four-hour parent member certification for parents/families with children with IEPs
Note: this is a four-hour training with an hour break: 9 am to 11 am/12pm to 2 pm. You must attend both sessions to be certified as a Parent Member.
This workshop (through Zoom) will provide an overview and best practices approach to the CPSE/CSE process to educate parents and Parent Members and assist them to develop techniques and strategies to become effective members of the IEP team in their respective roles. This training is open to anyone interested in learning about the special education process, or even as a refresher course on CPSE/CSE! Parents or guardians whose child has or had an IEP in the last 5 years, will receive a certificate for submission to their school district to serve as a Parent Member at CPSE/CSE meetings. We offer this training four times per year.
Please email Bilingual Educator Saira Ayala if you are interested in taking this training in Spanish, saayala@wihd.org. We will schedule a Spanish option in Spring 2022 if there is sufficient interest.

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Introduction to the Culturally Responsive Sustaining Education (CR-SE) Framework
2022-04-22 09:00 - 11:30 | Zoom Meeting
2-day training (April 22, 2022 and May 24, 2022)
This workshop is intended to introduce participants to foundational elements of cultural responsiveness and explore the New York State Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education Framework. In doing so, it is meant to facilitate connections between Cultural Responsiveness and meeting the needs of students with disabilities, while also providing an opportunity for critical reflection on the extent to which culturally responsive practices are present within their Educational Organization(s). Expected Outcomes: -Explore foundational elements of culture and Culturally Responsive Education -Reflect on personal culture & experiences -Become familiar with the NYSED Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education framework -Reflect on the ways practices & approaches outlined in the NYSED CRSE Framework are present within your Educational Organization (EO) * This is a two-part online course offered synchronously via Zoom. Each session will be 2.5 hours.
Workshop dates are: Day #1- Friday April 22, 2022 (9 AM-11:30 AM) Day #2 Tuesday May 24,2022 (9 AM-11:30 AM). Participants will receive Zoom log-in information 24 hrs. prior to workshop commencement via registered Frontline email. Attendance to both sessions is required for full CTLE credit.
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Transition Preschool Special Education to Kindergarten (CPSE to CSE)(Disponible en Español)
2022-04-22 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom Meeting
This online training will support parents as they prepare for their child’s transition from preschool special education to kindergarten. Topics covered include: understanding the differences between Committee for Preschool Special Education (CPSE) and Committee for Special Education (CSE), understanding the transition process from CPSE to CSE, learning how to be an active member of the transition team, understanding the purpose of an Individualized Education Program (IEP). *Please specify if you prefer Spanish-language materials and Spanish translation for the session.
Planificación para Transición de Educación Especial PreEscolar a Kindergarten (CPSE a CSE)
Este taller apoyará a los padres mientras se preparan para la transición de su hijo de la educación especial preescolar al kindergarten. Los temas cubiertos incluyen: Entender las diferencias entre el Comité para la Educación Especial Preescolar (CPSE) y el Comité para la Educación Especial (CSE), entender el proceso de transición de CPSE a CSE, aprender cómo ser un miembro activo del equipo de transición, entender el propósito de un Programa de Educación Individualizado (IEP). Este taller se llevará a cabo a través de ZOOM. *Por favor, especifique si prefiere materiales en español y traducción al español para la sesión.*
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New York State Alternate Assessment (NYSAA): Essential Information for Students with Disabilities
2022-04-26 18:00 - 19:30 | Zoom Meeting
This training is to educate families on the New York State Alternate Assessment (NYSAA) which is part of the NYS testing program that measures attainment of the State’s learning standards for students with the most severe disabilities in grades 3-8 and high school. Participants will learn about all State assessment options, what the NYSAA test entails, the eligibility and decision-making process, graduation/student exit options and how it will affect a student’s post-secondary planning.

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Specially Designed Instruction: A Guide for Families and Caregivers about Special Education(Disponible en Español)
2022-04-28 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom Meeting
Participants will:
• understand the concepts of SDI.
• understand that there is both federal and state regulation around SDI.
• examine what SDI might look like in the classroom and in the home.
• understand their value as engaged meaningful partners in the special education process and education of their child. There will be a separate breakout room for the information in Spanish.
Instrucción Especialmente Diseñada: Un Guía para Familias y Cuidadores Sobre Educación Especial
Instrucción especialmente diseñada: una guía para familias y cuidadores paquete de capacitación Esta capacitación de nivel básico está destinada a desarrollar la comprensión básica de los participantes de SDI para aumentar el conocimiento de los padres y otros miembros de la familia como socios significativos comprometidos en el proceso de educación especial y la educación de sus hijos.
Los participantes:
• Los participantes comprenderán los conceptos de SDI.
• Los participantes entenderán que existe una regulación federal y estatal
alrededor de SDI.
• Los participantes podrán examinar cómo podría ser la IDE en el aula y en el hogar.
• Los participantes entenderán su valor como socios significativos comprometidos en el proceso de educación especial y la educación de sus hijos.
Habrá una sala separada para la información en español.

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How Families Can Effectively Engage in Work Based Learning Experiences
2022-04-28 17:30 - 19:30 | Zoom Meeting
Many schools are seeking to implement or improve Work Based Learning (WBL) programs and experiences to meet the requirements of the Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS) Commencement Credential and improve post-school outcomes. This session will assist parents and families in recognizing quality; compliant WBL programs to meet the needs of their students. Further, it will provide suggestions and practical strategies for effective, meaningful engagement in Work Based Learning programs to assist with increasing positive post-school employment outcomes.
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Diploma and Credential Options for Students with Disabilities
2022-04-29 12:00 - 13:30 | Zoom Meeting
Participants will learn about self-determination skills and its relation to students determining an individualized pathway to graduation from multiple options. Credit and diploma requirements and the appeal eligibility criteria for all students will be reviewed as well as the safety-net options for students with disabilities. Find out how earning a Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS) Commencement Credential is beneficial in a number of ways along with the guidelines for awarding a Skills and Achievement Commencement Credential.

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Transition Planning for Life After High School: An Introduction to the Process for Families
2022-05-04 18:00 - 19:30 | Zoom Meeting
The goals of this training are to ensure that guardians, family members, and students can work with their Committee on Special Education (CSE) to collaboratively: Assess their child’s strengths, interests, and needs; Establish measurable postsecondary goals and annual goals; and identify appropriate transition services and coordinated activities.

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What does Self Advocacy mean to you?
2022-05-18 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom Meeting
Come meet BJ Stasio with Hear Our Voices on zoom.
BJ Stasio is a disability rights advocate from Buffalo, NY. He is the Co Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Self-Advocacy Association of New York State (SANYS), a position to which he was elected by his fellow self-advocates and peers around New York. He has also been employed by the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) for over 20 years, working on person-centered planning, voting issues, and self-determination training and education.
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Certificación de Miembro Padre: Para Padres/Familias de Niños con IEP(Parent Member Training)
2022-05-19 16:00 - 18:00 | Zoom Meeting
Nota: Éste es un entrenamiento de cuatro horas a través de dos fechas: jueves 19 de mayo y jueves 26 de mayo. Debe asistir a ambas sesiones para ser certificado como Miembro Padre.
Éste taller (a través de Zoom) proporcionará una visión general y un enfoque de mejores prácticas para el proceso de CPSE/CSE para educar a los padres y miembros padres y ayudarlos a desarrollar técnicas y estrategias para convertirse en miembros efectivos del equipo del IEP en sus respectivos roles. ¡Ésta capacitación está abierta a cualquier persona interesada en aprender sobre el proceso de educación especial, o incluso como un curso de actualización sobre CPSE/CSE! Los padres o tutores cuyo hijo tiene o tuvo un IEP en los últimos 5 años, recibirán un certificado para su presentación a su distrito escolar para servir como miembro de los padres en las reuniones de CPSE/CSE. Ésta capacitación será completamente en español.
Ingrese Aquí para Registrarse

Explicit Vocabulary Instruction
2022-06-01 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom Meeting
Did you know that vocabulary is key to reading comprehension? Readers must know what the words in a text mean in order to comprehend that text. And, as children learn to read more advanced texts, their vocabulary needs to grow with them. We invite all parents and caregivers to join us for a brief learning session on how you can help build your children’s vocabularies. During our time together, we will share quick and easy activities you can do with your children that will help develop their word knowledge.
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My Disability Roadmap
2022-06-01 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom Meeting
Join Samuel Habib and Dan Habib for a special event! A screening and discussion of their new film project: My Disability Roadmap. The film follows Samuel, a young man with complex disabilities, as he navigates the path to work, college, and relationships while seeking out wisdom from disability activists across the country. Following the film, Dan and Samuel will talk about their hopes, dreams and plans for the film, and take your questions, The film is captioned and audio described, and auto-captions will be provided for the discussion. The event will last approximately 60 minutes. Supported by The Taft Foundation and Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation.

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Event Flyer

Tapping Into Our Community: Resources for School Age and Transitioning Youth with Disabilities in the Mid-Hudson Valley
2022-06-02 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom Meeting
This virtual presentation will provide participants with a better understanding of what activities, programs and events are available in the Mid-Hudson area for youth with disabilities this summer. Please come ready to share resources you know of that others may not be aware of. There will be some mini-presentations and a whole lot of sharing!

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Event Flyer
All trainings will have closed captioning. ASL interpretation available upon request. Need additional information or any accommodations?
Contact Nancy Nowak at DRNY. Nancy.Nowak@drny.org or 516.238.1261

Knowing When and How to Access Mental Health Supports for Youth
2022-06-07 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom Meeting
The rates of anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions are climbing for all of our young people, including those with disabilities receiving special education services. This presentation will educate and offer an overview of the signs and symptoms of a possible mental health condition, about what steps to take if your child or a student is showing symptoms and about how school districts and families can work together to help students. In addition, representatives from the Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health will address how to access their services.
Presented by Debra Carr, Psy.D. Director of Psychology, Behavioral Health Program at Westchester Institute of Human Development along with Tori Shaw and Michelle Armisto, LCSW Program Coordinators, Children’s Mental Health Services, Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health
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Voices for Change - Parent Advocacy
2022-06-07 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom Meeting
Strategies for Engaging Policy Makers – Guest Speakers
Parents, family members, and self-advocates can be highly effective in working with policy makers in the New York State Senate, New York State Assembly, as well as United States Senate and Congress. These members “work for us” and it is important that they hear from us on those issues that are important to our community. The Community Support Network is proud to announce that we are kicking off a series of sessions, designed to teach us all how to be better advocates, get the attention and ears of our policy makers, and communicate those issues to get the best results. Session will be virtual via a ZOOM link. Please register at the link below if you haven’t already.
At our next and last meeting, we will be once again welcoming NYS Senator John Mannion and NYS Assemblymember Tom Abinanti, each of who chair the Disability Committees of their respective houses.

The legislative session is adjourning soon, and we will hear a year end wrap of from each of them on topics including:

key budget initiatives
what they see as biggest improvements for PWD
what they see as the toughest challenges yet to come
plans for addressing those items next year

Any. questions can be directed to – Lucille Rossi
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Agency 101 - Connecting Individuals with Disabilities to Adult Agencies
2022-06-14 09:00 - 11:00 | Zoom Meeting
Identifying the agencies who will be working with students and their families post-high school is a critical component of transition planning. Join us as we explore self-determination and its impact on postsecondary success. We will discuss adult service agencies and the different types of programs they provide.
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Event Flyer

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Basics
2022-06-14 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom Meeting
Are you considering applying for SSI for your family member? Come to this workshop to learn some tips and tricks to the application process. When and how to apply, the eligibility requirements and how to best make the process less stressful.

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Discussion with the self-advocates about the Crip Camp movie!
2022-06-15 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom Meeting
Hear Our Voices will be showing Crip camp trailer!
Discussion with the self-advocates about the Crip Camp movie!

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What Does it Mean to be Culturally Responsive?
2022-06-16 10:00 - 12:00 | Zoom Meeting
This workshop is intended to introduce participants to foundational elements of culturally responsive education. The materials will support the development of Culturally Responsive-Sustaining mindsets, practices, and strategies to be implemented in Educational Organizations. As educators grow in their understanding and execution of Culturally Responsive Pedagogy, student engagement, academic performance, behavior, and graduation rates will improve. Culturally Responsive educators provide instructional scaffolds so that learners of all abilities will be able to access content & will feel welcomed in classroom settings. Participants will be able to recognize that “CRT is not a set of ‘best practices’ but a practice that recognizes the mind-body connection involved in learning” (Zaretta Hammond, 2013).
* This course is offered synchronously online via Zoom. Thursday June 16,2022 10 am-12 noon Participants will receive Zoom log-in information 24 hrs. prior to workshop commencement via registered Frontline email.

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ABLE (Achieving A Better Life Experience) Accounts Basics
2022-06-21 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom Meeting
Would you like to learn more about Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts? Come to this workshop where information about Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE), a new financial savings tool for individuals with disabilities will be shared. What is an ABLE account, how it works and the eligibility requirements will be discussed. Potential ABLE participants and their families are invited.

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Family Forum: Preparing for the Transition of Young Adults Going to College
2022-07-14 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom Meeting
Join us for a discussion on how things will be different from high school for young adults with disabilities who plan to pursue a college degree. Participants can ask any questions they may have including the process for accessing accommodations, the disability documentation needed, possible types of college-related services available through Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR), as well as things to consider when selecting or visiting 2&4 year colleges and universities.

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Self-Direction and the OPWDD 5.07 Plan Understanding What's at Stake
2022-07-25 18:30 - 20:30 | WIHD Auditorium, Cedarwood Hall Auditorium, Valhalla, NY, 10595, United States
The Community Support Network at WIHD, In the Drivers Seat (of Rochester), the NY Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation, and Supporting Our Youth & Adults (SOYAN, Long Island) are hosting a virtual educational session on the OPWDD 5.07 draft plan. This session will focus on components of the draft plan related to self-direction and be targeted to all stakeholders, including family members and self-advocates. The goal is to share information offered by experts with knowledge and context in order to promote quality feedback during the public comment period for the draft plan. ​It is critical that your experience and voice be shared! ​
OPWDD will also be hosting in-person feedback hearings across the state, including a Hudson Valley session here at WIHD on Wednesday August 3, 2022 at 3:30 pm.
You can register at this link.
See the flyer for the 8/3/22 event and other information here
See the 5.07 plan here
Opportunity to respond in writing here

Testing Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
2022-08-09 12:00 - 14:00 | Zoom Meeting
This training was developed to promote the understanding and appropriate use of test accommodations for students with disabilities. It is intended to provide information related to the decision-making process and types of test accommodations, as well as the documentation of appropriate accommodations on the individualized education program (IEP).

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Culturally Responsive Teaching Workshop- "Family Engagement: Communication & Culture" (Virtual)
2022-08-11 09:00 - 11:00 | Zoom Meeting
This workshop is designed to introduce educators to concepts of communication and culture that impact the ways educators and educational organizations (EOs) interact with families. Participants will be introduced to The Culturally Responsive Sustaining-Education framework and include an opportunity for educators to review meaningful and equitable training resources/tools to support effective family engagement and communication. Participants will receive Zoom log-in information 24 hrs. prior to workshop commencement via registered Frontline email.

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Family Forum: Post-School Planning for Young Adults Not Going to College
2022-08-11 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom Meeting
Join us for a discussion on program options and considerations for young adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Participants can ask any questions they may have including the eligibility process for services through the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities(OPWDD) and other state service systems, the types of programs and support services available, as well as things to consider when selecting or visiting adult community-based programs.

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Judy Heumann from the Crip Camp!
2022-08-17 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom Meeting
Come meet Judy Heumann International Disability Rights Advocate.

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Transition Preschool Special Education to Kindergarten (CPSE to CSE)
2022-08-18 14:00 - 15:00 | Zoom Meeting
This online training will support parents as they prepare for their child’s transition from preschool special education to kindergarten. Topics covered include: understanding the differences between Committee for Preschool Special Education (CPSE) and Committee for Special Education (CSE), understanding the transition process from CPSE to CSE, learning how to be an active member of the transition team, understanding the purpose of an Individualized Education Program (IEP).

Presented by the Hudson Valley School-Age FACE Center, Lower Hudson Early Childhood FACE Center

Zoom Registration here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMvdO-rrzwiEtUBOhvv3I9Zo-MYDawL8po7

Planificación de la transición de la educación especial preescolar al jardín de infantes (CPSE a CSE)

Jueves, 18 Augusto @ 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. EDT

Este evento será en inglés.
Para ver los próximos eventos ofrecidos en español, ingrese aquí y únase a nuestro grupo de Facebook para familias de habla hispana. Para más información puede escribir un correo electrónico a cbueti@wihd.org
