Westchester Institute for Human Development

Specially Designed Instruction: A Guide for Families and Caregivers about Special Education
2023-08-09 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Participants will:
• understand the concepts of SDI. Presented by: Lower Hudson Early Childhood FACE Center, and Mid-Hudson Early Childhood FACE Center
• 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.
Presented by: Lower Hudson Early Childhood FACE Center, and Mid-Hudson Early Childhood FACE Center
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

New York State Alternate Assessment (NYSAA): Essential Information for Families of Students with Disabilities
2023-08-15 10:00 - 11:30 | Zoom
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.
Presented by: Hudson Valley School-Age FACE Center, NYSED OSE Partnership
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Soluciones Positivas para Familias
2023-08-17 10:30 - 12:30 | Zoom
Soluciones Positivas para Familias es una serie de talleres mensuales de cuatro sesiones que brindará a los padres, familias y cuidadores estrategias positivas y efectivas para promover el desarrollo social y emocional de los niños y abordar el comportamiento desafiante de los niños de 2 a 5 años. Cuatro sesiones, tercer jueves del mes, de
20 de Julio
17 de Agosto
21 de Septiembre
19 de Octubre
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) ACCOUNT Basics
2023-08-22 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom
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.
Presented by: Community Support Network
Zoom Registration Link: Click here

Family Forum: BACK TO SCHOOL 2023
2023-09-07 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Tips, Troubleshooting and Q & A
Come to this workshop to receive tips on helping your kids transition back to school and troubleshoot special education issues with services and placement. We will be taking questions on all things back to school. You can also share any helpful strategies that work for your family.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Family Forum: Assistive Technology Services at WIHD
2023-09-19 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Would you like to learn more about Assistive Technology? It’s any piece of equipment that helps an individual with a disability improve their ability to perform everyday tasks.
Join us to hear how WIHD’s Assistive Technology (AT) Program provides services and collaborates with individuals and their families, caregivers, teachers, and/or related service providers to identify assistive technology devices, adaptations, and strategies to improve mobility, communication, computer access, access to the school curriculum, or control over the environment. A brief overview on AT evaluations, funding, available training and equipment that is available on loan will be shared. If you are interested in services that are directly available to clients or to students who are in school, this information session is for you.
Presented by: Community Support Network and Westchester Institute for Human Development
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Understanding the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Process for Parents of School-Age Students with a Disability
2023-09-19 18:00 - 19:30 | Zoom
This training will offer families an understanding of the entire IEP process, including but not limited to, the Committee on Special Education (CSE), the roles and responsibilities of all parties, the various components of the IEP and the transition planning process.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Soluciones Positivas para Familias
2023-09-21 10:30 - 12:30, 2023-10-19 10:30 - 12:30 | Zoom
Soluciones Positivas para Familias es una serie de talleres mensuales de cuatro sesiones que brindará a los padres, familias y cuidadores estrategias positivas y efectivas para promover el desarrollo social y emocional de los niños y abordar el comportamiento desafiante de los niños de 2 a 5 años.

Cuatro sesiones, tercer jueves del mes, de

20 de Julio

17 de Agosto

14 de Septiembre

19 de Octubre

Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

What is an Individualized Education Program (IEP) For Families of Preschool Students
2023-09-26 10:00 - 11:30 | Zoom
This workshop will provide families/parents and caregivers an overview of the process for developing an Individual Education Program (IEP) using a collaborative approach. The training provides a review of the areas of the IEP and the information that a parent, family and/or caregiver can share with the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) regarding their child’s performance and disability related needs.
Participants will:
-Understand the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) process and your role within the process​
-Identify the different components of the IEP​
-Discuss how to develop relationships and practices that build home-school collaboration and support the student.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Project Lifesaver
2023-10-03 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Does your child/children or young adults with Autism and other developmental disabilities wander, elope or get lost?
Come to this workshop to find out about Project Lifesaver, a nationwide program designed to help children or young adults with Autism and other developmental disabilities who may wander, elope or get lost. Project Lifesaver uses radio frequency technology, employing wristband transmitters to locate wandering and lost individuals. To qualify, individuals must live at home with a parent or guardian, anywhere in Westchester County. This Westchester Project Lifesaver agency is administered by the Westchester County Department of Public Safety, in collaboration with the Department of Mental Health and Westchester Jewish Community Services.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) Services and Eligibility
2023-10-04 18:00 - 19:00, 2023-11-03 10:00 - 11:00 | Zoom
Please join us for a workshop on OPWDD services and eligibility. The New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) is responsible for coordinating services for New Yorkers with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Through this workshop you will learn about the range of OPWDD services available to you and your loved one, and about the requirements for service eligibility.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Future Planning Series: How Do We Pass The Torch? Transition Planning in Preparation for Aging Series
2023-10-05 18:00 - 19:30 | Zoom
This 4- workshop series aims to provide caregivers with the directions for creating a transition plan for who next will be responsible for supporting their loved one. At the end of the workshop series, the caregiver will have the knowledge to create a caregiver transition plan, which will include the systems, people and processes needed to successfully support their loved one so that they live life to the fullest. The process of transferring knowledge to new caregivers and circle of supporters will be an important aspect of the planning process. Our first workshop focuses on systems. Other workshops will cover people and staffing, financial planning, and housing.
Workshop 1: Overview and Systems

What should caregivers of people with intellectual/developmental disabilities be thinking about as they plan for the time when they are older and beyond?
What are the key systems that should be in place (eg SSA, OPWDD, Self-Direction), and what are the associated paperwork and information requirements from these systems that future caregivers need to be informed about? What legal documentation needs to be in place?

Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Special Education 101: Training of the Parent Member
2023-10-10 09:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
This four-hour parent member certification is for parents/families with children with IEPs. This training is open to anyone interested in learning about the special education process, or even as a refresher course on CPSE/CSE!
This workshop (through Zoom), will provide an overview and best practices approach to the CPSE/CSE process. It will​ educate parents and Parent Members and assist them in developing techniques and strategies to become effective members of the IEP team in their respective roles. 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.
Note: This is a four-hour training in two parts, 9-11 am and 12-2 pm with a one-hour break for lunch. (April sessions are 4-6pm over 2 dates.). Four hours must be completed to receive certification.

Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Hudson Valley School-Age FACE Center, Lower Hudson Regional Partnership Center (LHRPC), NYSED OSE Partnership

Specially Designed Instruction: A Guide for Families and Caregivers about Special Education
2023-10-13 10:00 - 11:00 | Zoom
Participants will:
• understand the development and use of Specially Designed Instruction for students with disabilities.
• 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.

Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Monthly Decision Making Series--Workshop #1: Supported Decision-Making (SDM), Guardianship, and other Alternatives
2023-10-18 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Join us for our three-workshop series where we will present instruments and methods used to support loved ones with disabilities in making choices as they approach the age of adulthood.
Workshop #1: Supported Decision-Making (SDM), Guardianship, and other Alternatives
Many parents and caregivers have questions about how best their loved one with intellectual and developmental disabilities may be supported in making decisions as an adult. What are the concerns around guardianship? What about Supported Decision Making? How do advance directives such as health care proxies and durable power of attorney factor in? This workshop should be taken before the Guardianship and Digging into Supported Decision-Making workshops. If you have already taken this WIHD zoom workshop, please register instead for the Digging in to Supported Decision-Making workshop.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Student Involvement in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) for Families
2023-10-19 18:00 - 19:30 | Zoom
This training is intended to promote and encourage student and family involvement in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) development process and Committee on Special Education (CSE) meetings. Participants will identify ways to build and encourage their child’s self-determination skills in order to meaningfully participate to the greatest extent possible, in their own educational planning and active involvement in annual review meetings. The Student-Directed IEP approach can be utilized at any age from K-12th grade. Tools, resources, and research-based information will be provided.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

OPWDD Self-Direction
2023-10-24 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Learn about OPWDD’s self-direction services which allows for more choice in OPWDD-funded supports and services. The individual must be eligible for OPWDD services, enrolled in the Home and Community Based (HCBS) Waiver, and participating in Care Management services through a Care Coordination Organization (CCO) to be approved for self-direction. Therefore, it is recommended that you first attend a workshop on OPWDD eligibility if the person with the disability does not already have it.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Monthly Decision Making Series--Workshop #2: Digging in to Supported Decision-Making
2023-10-25 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Join us for our three-workshop series where we will present instruments and methods used to support loved ones with disabilities in making choices as they approach the age of adulthood.
Workshop #2: Digging in to Supported Decision-Making
This workshop is intended for individuals who have already attended our monthly Supported Decision Making, Guardianship, and other Alternatives workshop, and want to know more about SDM. We will review Article 82, the NY State supported decision making law, and will answer SDM-specific questions.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Monthly Decision Making Series--Workshop #3: Guardianship Workshop
2023-10-26 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Join us for our three-workshop series where we will present instruments and methods used to support loved ones with disabilities in making choices as they approach the age of adulthood.
Workshop #3: Guardianship Workshop
This workshop is intended for individuals who have already attended our monthly Supported Decision Making, Guardianship, and other Alternatives workshop, and have determined that guardianship is the most appropriate alternative. Since guardianship is considered the most restrictive form of decision support, it is recommended that you also attend the Digging in to Supported Decision-Making workshop before signing up for this one. We will review the process of putting together a petition for guardianship and the documentation requirements.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Project SEARCH Information Session
2023-11-01 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom
Please join us via Zoom to learn more about Project SEARCH at New York Presbyterian Westchester Hospital in Bronxville! This program serves young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the OPWDD system as well as students who are in their last year of high school who can benefit from personalized support in an intensive year of career development and internship experience. The program is a collaborative partnership and it is a community based, employment training program and is business focused. Please attend this information session to find out more and the eligibility requirements.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Family Forum: Know Your Rights - Suspensions
2023-11-02 12:00 - 13:30 | Zoom
Have you been asked to pick up your child in the middle of the school day because of their behavior? Has your child been accused of “insubordination” or “defying authority” by school staff? Do you know what to do if your child is suspended? At this workshop led by the New York Civil Liberties Union, we’ll review your child’s rights in the suspension process and explore effective alternatives to punitive discipline. Parents will leave equipped with the knowledge to advocate for their children when faced with a suspension.

Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Future Planning Series: How Do We Pass The Torch? Transition Planning in Preparation for Aging Series: Workshop 2 - Financial Planning
2023-11-07 18:00 - 19:30 | Zoom
This 4- workshop series aims to provide caregivers with the directions for creating a transition plan for who next will be responsible for supporting their loved one. At the end of the workshop series, the caregiver will have the knowledge to create a caregiver transition plan, which will include the systems, people and processes needed to successfully support their loved one so that they live life to the fullest. The process of transferring knowledge to new caregivers and circle of supporters will be an important aspect of the planning process. Our first workshop focuses on systems. Other workshops will cover people and staffing, financial planning, and housing.
Workshop 2: Financial Planning
James Traylor, President of Rivent Partners & Rivent Partners Disability Planning, will present on financial strategies for families of individuals with special needs. In this session, James will cover the key issues to be considered when planning for financial security over the lifetimes of both caregiver and loved one with a disability. He will cover a range of topics including how much a family member may need, the types of assets often placed in Supplemental Needs Trusts, how government benefits can be leveraged to create new financial resources and creating independent housing options.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

EI (Early Intervention) to CPSE (Committee on Preschool Special Education) for Families
2023-11-14 10:00 - 11:00 | Zoom
This presentation will guide parents through the process of transitioning their child from Early Intervention to the Committee on Preschool Special Education.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Monthly Decision Making Series Workshop #1: Supported Decision-Making (SDM), Guardianship, and other Alternatives
2023-11-14 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom

Self-Advocates: Peer to Peer Discussion about Dating and Relationships
2023-11-14 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom
Self-Advocates: Peer to Peer Discussion about Dating and Relationships
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

"Hear Our Voices" Self-Advocacy Monthly Group Meeting
2023-11-15 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom
“Hear Our Voices” Self-Advocacy Monthly Group Meeting
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Resource and Transition Fair
2023-11-16 16:00 - 19:00 | Brewster High School
Putnam Transition Fair Flyer 11-16-23

Monthly Decision Making Series Workshop #2: Digging in to Supported Decision-Making
2023-11-21 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
