Westchester Institute for Human Development

ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Accounts Basics
2024-08-29 12:00 - 13:15 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Would you like to learn more about Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts?
Come to this workshop to find out how this financial tool can help individuals with disabilities save while receiving benefits. What is an ABLE account, how it works and the eligibility requirements will be discussed. Potential ABLE participants and their families are invited.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Monthly Decision Making Series Workshop #1: Supported Decision-Making (SDM), Guardianship, and other Alternatives
2024-09-17 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-10-15 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

Monthly Decision Making Series Workshop #2: Digging in to Supported Decision-Making
2024-09-18 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-10-16 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
2024-09-19 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-10-17 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

SPECIAL EDUCATION TASK FORCE WEBINAR: Special Education Legal Updates 2024
2024-09-20 10:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
Back by popular demand, participants will receive an update on new and updated special education laws, regulations, state and federal guidance, and trending topics or issues. Significant proposed changes to NYS graduation measures, updated guidance on behavioral support, discipline and manifestation determination, new procedural safeguards, and new reporting obligations are just the start of some of the changes in store for the 2024-2025 school year. The presenter will share a legal update on new or revised guidance from the US Department of Education including the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Programs (OSERS), and New York State Department of Education (NYSED) and how they may impact access to or delivery of special education for the 2024-2025 school year. The presentation will offer a summary update and brief analysis of relevant changes or updates and how they may impact identification, evaluation, eligibility, implementation, and procedural rights and protections related to special education programs and services for students with disabilities.
Click Here for Flyer and Registration

DATE CHANGE! PLEASE SEE BELOW - Specially Designed Instruction: A Guide for Families and Caregivers
2024-09-24 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
DATE CHANGE: We apologize that this event has been changed to Thursday, September 26, 2024. The registration link can be found on our 9/26/24 calendar.
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 Specially Designed Instruction.
• examine what Specially Designed Instruction 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 Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Center, Mid-Hudson Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Center, NYSED OSE Partnership

EI (Early Intervention) to CPSE (Preschool Special Education) for Families
2024-09-25 11:30 - 12:30 | 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

Specially Designed Instruction: A Guide for Families and Caregivers
2024-09-26 12:00 - 13:00 | 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 Specially Designed Instruction.
• examine what Specially Designed Instruction 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

Student Involvement in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) for Families
2024-09-30 12:00 - 13:30, 2024-11-07 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

Special Education 101: Training of the Parent Member
2024-10-08 09:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
We offer our 4-hour Virtual Parent Member Training four times per year, via Zoom. Participants will learn about the entire Committee for Special Education (CSE) process, and those eligible can join committee meetings as a volunteer Parent Member. This is wonderful opportunity to build community in your district, support other parents, and learn more about the CSE process to support your own child! While this training is open to anyone who would like to learn more about special education, 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. Four hours must be completed to receive certification.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Relationship Skills Group: Self-Advocates at the Community Support Network
2024-10-08 18:00 - 19:00, 2024-11-12 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom
Monthly Relationship Skills Group: Self-Advocates at the Community Support Network
Click Here for Flyer and Registration

Positive Behavior Solutions for Families (series)
2024-10-15 12:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
Join us for a four-session workshop series for parents, families, and caregivers of children ages 2-5. These sessions will provide strategies to support your children’s social and emotional development and address challenging behaviors in a positive, effective way.
Workshop details:
Four sessions*, once a month on a Tuesday from 12-2pmOct 15 Making the Connection & Keeping it Positive
Nov 19 Behavior Has Meaning & the Power of Routine
Dec 17 Teach Me What to Do & Responding with Purpose
Jan 21 Putting It All Together with a Plan
*Attending all four sessions is encouraged but optional. Resources and tools will be provided before each session.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

What is an Individualized Education Program (IEP) For Families of Preschool Students
2024-10-16 11:00 - 12:30 | Zoom
Overview of the process for developing an IEP at the preschool level for families. The training provides a review of components of the preschool IEP and the information that families can share with the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) regarding their child’s performance and disability related needs.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Explicit Vocabulary Instruction for Families
2024-10-16 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom
Come to this session for parents and caregivers to learn how to support your child’s development of new vocabulary, the importance of vocabulary instruction and ways to incorporate vocabulary instruction at home for your children who are in Pre-K through grade 6.
Zoom Link (see note below): Click Here to Join
**Please note that this event will require you to enter the Zoom Meeting ID and Passcode as follows:
Zoom Meeting ID: 983 7581 5018
Zoom Passcode: [REDACTED]

Disability Conversations: “Hear Our Voices” Self Advocacy Group Meeting
2024-10-16 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom
“Hear Our Voices” Self Advocacy Group Monthly Meeting – This month’s topic: Employment
Click Here for Flyer and Registration

What Is an Individualized Education Program (IEP)? For Families of School-Age Students
2024-10-17 18:00 - 19:30 | Zoom
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 IEP, and the transition planning process.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) Services and Eligibility
2024-10-25 10:00 - 11:30 | 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 Workshop 1 - Systems
2024-10-28 18:00 - 19:30 | Zoom
This 6- 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 documentatio needs to be in place?

Zoom Registration Link: Click here

OPWDD Self-Direction
2024-10-29 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-11-14 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 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

Toma de decisiones con apoyo: una alternativa a la tutela / Supported Decision Making: An Alternative to Guardianship
2024-11-06 09:00 - 10:15 | Zoom
Miércoles 6 de Noviembre del 2024 – 9:00 am a 10:15 am
Wednesday, November 6, 2024 – 9:00 am to 10:15 am
Este taller se impartirá únicamente en español.
This workshop will be given in Spanish only.
La Toma de decisiones con apoyo es una alternativa a la tutela que, a diferencia de esta última, le permite a un individuo con una discapacidad intelectual o del desarrollo (DI/D) preservar su derecho a tomar decisiones por sí mismo mientras recibe apoyo de personas que ha elegido. Acompáñenos a nuestra presentación con Stephanie Avendaño. Stephanie es una mentora con SDMNY, la organización que redacta y gestiona los acuerdos de toma de decisiones con apoyo en el estado de Nueva York.
Supported Decision-Making is an alternative to guardianship which, unlike guardianship, allows an individual with an intellectual or developmental disability (I/DD) to retain their legal decision-making rights while being supported in decision-making by the people they choose. Join us for a presentation by Stephanie Avendaño. Stephanie is a mentor with SDMNY, the organization that drafts and oversees supported decision-making agreements in New York State.
Enlace de Zoom para la registracion: Haga clic aqui
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
2024-11-12 18:00 - 19:30 | Zoom
This 6- 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 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.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Recreational Fair for Students with OPWDD Eligibility
2024-11-12 18:30 - 19:30 | Scarsdale High School
Please join the Scarsdale and Pelham Public School Districts in Conjunction with Tuckahoe, Eastchester, and Edgemont Schools for The 2024 Recreational Fair!
Click Here for Flyer

Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) Services and Eligibility
2024-11-13 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom

Family Guide to Transition Planning: Preparing Students with Disabilities for Life After High School
2024-11-14 18:00 - 19:30 | Zoom
The purpose of the Family Guide to Transition Planning—Preparing Students with Disabilities for Life After High School is to assist families in understanding the transition planning process specifically from high school to life after high school. When families are knowledgeable about the transition process and invited to participate by schools, students with disabilities experience improved post-school outcomes in the areas of employment, postsecondary education, and independent living.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here
