Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) Services and Eligibility
2024-03-15 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | 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

OPWDD Self-Direction
2024-03-19 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-05-02 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

Parent University Presents: CPSE (the Committee on Preschool Special Education) to CSE (the Committee on Special Education) for Parents
2024-04-03 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom
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).
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Special Education Task Force LUNCH & LEARN Series: SPECIAL EDUCATION QUALITY ASSURANCE: How SEQA Supports Districts and Families, from Technical Assistance to State Complaints
2024-04-10 12:00 - 13:30 | Zoom
The ABCs of SEQA and how Regional Associates can help you
• The benefits of special-education mediation
• What to know about the State Complaint process and how it works from start to finish
• Additional resources for preschool and school-age special education

Click Here for Flyer and Registration

Agency 101 - Connecting Individuals with Disabilities to Adult Agencies
2024-04-11 12:00 - 13:30 | Zoom
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.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Monthly Decision Making Series Workshop #1: Supported Decision-Making (SDM), Guardianship, and other Alternatives
2024-04-16 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-05-14 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
2024-04-17 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-05-15 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 #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

Free Resource and Transition Fair
2024-04-17 15:00 - 19:00 | Palisades Center Community Rooms, 1000 Palisades Center Drive, West Nyack, NY, 10994, United States
SUPPORTS AND INFORMATION FOR NOW AND IN THE FUTURE:
For students of all ages with an IEP or 504 Plan, families, & professional.
Groups are welcome!!
Click Here: Transition Fair Flier 2024

Monthly Decision Making Series Workshop #3: Guardianship Workshop
2024-04-18 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-05-16 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 #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

Life-Skills Workshop Series
2024-04-23 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom
Life-skills, or daily living skills, are abilities that our loved ones with intellectual and developmental disabilities need to achieve their highest level of independence. These include skills related to managing money, personal hygiene, medication management, taking care of living spaces, laundry, cooking, transportation, and shopping.
Please join us for a three-workshop series for caregivers about supporting life-skills learning for children, teens and young adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. You will need to come to the workshop with at least one idea for a life-skill that you want your loved one to work on.
We will cover:
· The process of teaching and reinforcing life-skills
· The self-advocate’s perspective on the challenges in developing these skills
Workshop #2 is scheduled for May 23. Workshop #3 is scheduled for June 25. Please check back on the WIHD calendar of events for details.
Zoom Registration Link: Click here

Special Education 101: Training of the Parent Member
2024-04-24 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

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Basics
2024-04-26 10:00 - 11:00 | Zoom
Are you considering applying for Supplemental Security Income (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.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Transition Linkages Fair at the Westchester County Center
2024-05-06 16:30 - 19:30 | Westchester County Center, 198 Central Avenue, White Plains, NY, 10606
An Event for Parents, Educators & Advocates to Learn More About Adult Services & Transition Planning
Click Here for Flyer and Registration

Agency 101 – Connecting Individuals with Disabilities to Adult Services
2024-05-10 10:00 - 11:30 | Zoom
Identifying State and community-based agencies that may be able to provide services to young adults with disabilities is a critical component of transition planning for life after high school. This session will offer a broad overview of several core disability service systems in order to understand the different eligibility criteria that must be met to qualify for a variety of supports. The referral and application process as well as the types of services available for each will be reviewed. Families may have to access more than one service provider depending on the type of disability and services they need for their children and young adults with a learning disability, physical disability, visual and/or hearing impairment, intellectual/developmental disability, mental health disorder or any combination of disabilities.
*The session will not include the identification of local organizations or details of the specific programs they may offer. Resources will be provided.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

"Hear Our Voices" Self-Advocate's Peer to Peer Discussion about Dating and Relationships
2024-05-14 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom
Self-Advocate’s Monthly Peer to Peer Discussion about Dating and Relationships
For Flyer and Registration: Click Here

Diploma and Credential Options for Students with Disabilities
2024-05-14 18:00 - 19:30 | Zoom
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

"Hear Our Voices" Self Advocacy Group Meeting
2024-05-15 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom
“Hear Our Voices” Self Advocacy Group Monthly Meeting
For Flyer and Registration: Click Here

Hear Our Voices Statewide Self-Advocacy Conference
2024-05-16 10:00 - 16:00 | Zoom
Please join us on Zoom for the Hear Our Voices Statewide Self-Advocacy Conference
For Flyer and Registration: Click Here

EI (Early Intervention) to CPSE (Preschool Special Education) for Families
2024-05-21 12:30 - 13:30 | 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

Life-Skills Workshop Series Session #2
2024-05-23 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom
Life-skills, or daily living skills, are abilities that our loved ones with intellectual and developmental disabilities need to achieve their highest level of independence. These include skills related to managing money, personal hygiene, medication management, taking care of living spaces, laundry, cooking, transportation, and shopping.
Please join us for a three-workshop series for caregivers about supporting life-skills learning for children, teens and young adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. You will need to come to the workshop with at least one idea for a life-skill that you want your loved one to work on.
We will cover:
· The process of teaching and reinforcing life-skills
· The self-advocate’s perspective on the challenges in developing these skills
Zoom Registration Link: Click here

Taller #1: Toma de decisiones con apoyo (SDM), tutela y otras alternativas/Workshop #1: Supported Decision Making (SDM), Guardianship, and Other Alternatives
2024-06-07 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Fecha y hora: viernes 7 de junio 12-1pmh
Thursday, June 7, 2024 – 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Este taller se impartirá únicamente en español.
This workshop will be given in Spanish only.
Muchos padres y cuidadores tienen preguntas sobre cuál es la mejor manera de apoyar a su ser querido con discapacidades intelectuales y del desarrollo a tomar decisiones cuando sea adulto. ¿Cuáles son las preocupaciones en torno a la tutela? ¿Qué pasa con la toma de decisiones apoyada? ¿Cómo desempeñan un papel las directivas anticipadas, como los poderes para atención médica y los poderes duraderos? Este taller proporcionará a los cuidadores la información para afrontar estos problemas.
Many parents and caregivers have questions about how best to support their loved one with intellectual and developmental disabilities 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 powers of attorney and durable powers of attorney, play a role? This workshop will provide caregivers with the information to navigate these issues.
Enlace de Zoom para la registracion: Haga clic aquí
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Post School Planning for Young Adults Not Going to College
2024-06-11 12:00 - 13:30 | Zoom
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.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Self-Advocates: Peer to Peer Discussion about Dating and Relationships
2024-06-11 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom
Self-Advocates: Peer to Peer Discussion about Dating and Relationships
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Explicit Vocabulary Instruction for Families
2024-06-13 12:00 - 13:00 | 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 Registration Link: Click Here

Family Forum: Post School Planning for Young Adults Going to College
2024-06-18 12:00 - 13:30 | Zoom
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.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

"Hear Our Voices” Self-Advocacy Monthly Group Meeting
2024-06-19 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom
“Hear Our Voices” Self-Advocacy Monthly Group Meeting
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here
