Westchester Institute for Human Development

Monthly Decision Making Series Workshop #2: Digging in to Supported Decision-Making
2025-02-05 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-03-12 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | 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

What is an Individualized Education Program (IEP) For Families of School-Age Students
2025-02-05 18:00 - 19:30
Parents and families are an important part of the Special Education process. Participants will gain a foundational 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 Individualized Education Program (IEP), and the transition planning process.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Monthly Decision Making Series Workshop #3: Guardianship Workshop
2025-02-06 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-03-13 12:00 - 13:00
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

Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) Services and Eligibility
2025-02-11 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-03-18 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-03-25 09:30 - 10:45
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

Family Forum: Preparing for Your Child’s Annual Review
2025-02-11 18:00 - 19:00
Parents are integral partners in the special education process. Join this conversation as we explore how parents can effectively prepare for the annual review and be an effective member of the Committee on Special Education. Learn about planning strategies, approaching differences of opinion, and keeping the focus on your child.
Zoom Link: Click Here

OPWDD Self-Direction
2025-02-12 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-03-19 12:00 - 13:00
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 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

Supporting Your Child in Work Based Learning Experiences
2025-02-12 18:00 - 19:30
The purpose of Supporting Your Child in Work-Based Learning (WBL) Experiences is to provide families and guardians with the foundational knowledge of what high-quality WBL looks like in New York State (NYS). It includes but is not limited to: exploring registered and unregistered program options available to students with disabilities, reviewing the career development process and the NYS framework for Work Based Learning. It also includes determining who the essential partners are, in order to ensure students are receiving an individualized and collaborative experience, and identifying activities and strategies to increase career awareness and development, in the home and community.
Zoom Link: Click Here

Explicit Vocabulary Instruction for Parents
2025-02-25 12:00 - 13:00
The presentation will discuss fostering vocabulary development at home. Participants will be able to explain the importance of vocabulary instruction for their children in the elementary grades and describe ways to incorporate instruction in the home.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Future Planning Series: How Do We Pass The Torch? Transition Planning in Preparation for Aging Series Workshop 5 - Exploring NYS Housing Options Outside of OPWDD Certified Residential Facilities
2025-02-25 18:00 - 19:30
This 8- 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.
Workshop 5: Housing
Navigating the housing landscape is a priority in planning for the future of our loved ones with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Understanding the array of housing options and how to access them is an important part of the planning process. Join Carol Napierski Vice President of Program Development and Grant Management, New York Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation, and Seth Greenman, NY Alliance Housing Consultant for a presentation of housing navigation.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Student Involvement in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) for Families
2025-02-26 12:00 - 13:30
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

Diploma and Credential Options for Students with Disabilities
2025-02-26 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-02-28 10:00 - 11:30
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, the appeal eligibility criteria for all students, and safety-net options for students with disabilities will be reviewed. Learn how earning a Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS) Commencement Credential is beneficial in a number of ways and understand the guidelines for the Skills and Achievement Commencement Credential which is awarded to students participating in the New York State Alternate Assessment (NYSAA) testing program.
Zoom Link: Click Here

Employment and You: Resources and Strategies for Success
2025-03-03 12:00 - 20:00, 2025-03-04 12:00 - 20:00, 2025-03-05 12:00 - 20:00, 2025-03-06 12:00 - 20:00
Employment and You: Resources and Strategies for Success
March 3 – March 6, 2025
Times: 12:00pm – 8:00pm
We will be hosting two sessions per day: One session at approximately noon and the other session at approximately 6pm. Specific details on the timing will be available soon.
Employment for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities is currently at 15%, with many people unemployed or underemployed despite having work skills. Join us for this free, virtual conference on topics that will outline the key areas that can lead to employment. Experts from across the state and country will be presenting innovative approaches and key resources to achieve successful work.
Learn about:
– Resources available
– Strategies for Success
– Key organizations that provide assistance
– Benefits Planning
– New approaches to employment
Click Here for Flyer and Registration

EI (Early Intervention) to CPSE (Committee on Preschool Special Education) for Families
2025-03-04 12:00 - 13:00
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
2025-03-11 12:00 - 13:00
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

Relationship Skills Group: Self-Advocates at the Community Support Network
2025-03-11 18:00 - 19:00
Please Join us! Relationships Skills Group is an inter-abled group for young adults with disabilities to learn and practice social skills.
Click Here for Zoom Registration

Testing Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
2025-03-13 18:00 - 19:30
This training will help participants understand the appropriate use of test accommodations for students with disabilities. It will provide information related to the decision-making process, the types of test accommodations that are available, and how they are documented on the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Zoom Registration: Click Here

Disability Conversations: “Hear Our Voices” Self Advocacy Group Meeting
2025-03-19 18:00 - 19:00
Please Join Us! Disability Conversations Group has educational talks about living with disabilities in an accessible way. Different topics and speakers are chosen each month.
Click Here for Zoom Registration

CPSE to CSE Transition for Parents
2025-03-19 18:00 - 19:00
The transition from preschool to kindergarten can be a time of excitement but it can also be a source of anxiety. Transitions are made easier when families and providers understand the process. This workshop will help participants to understand the transition process, to be an active member of the transition team, to understand the difference between services in CPSE and CSE, and to understand the purpose of an IEP. Parents will come away from this workshop with a better understanding of what to expect as their children move on to kindergarten.
Zoom Link Click Here
Zoom ID: 995 4076 7133
Zoom Password: [REDACTED]

New York State Alternate Assessment (NYSAA): Essential Information for Families of Students with Disabilities
2025-03-20 12:00 - 13:30
This training is to educate families, especially those with a child in elementary school, 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 entails including eligibility and the decision-making process, as well as the effect on post-secondary planning and graduation/exit options.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

PLEASE NOTE - DATE CHANGE! Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) Services and Eligibility
2025-03-21 18:00 - 19:15
Please note: This event has been rescheduled for Tuesday, March 25 at 9:30am. Click here for further information and registration link.

Future Planning Series: How Do We Pass The Torch? Transition Planning in Preparation for Aging Series Workshop 6 - Staffing: Putting Together a Workforce That Works for Your Loved One
2025-03-25 18:00 - 19:30
This 8- 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 ansition plan, which will include the systems, people and processes needed to successfully support their loved one so that they live life to the fullest.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here
