Westchester Institute for Human Development

What is an Individualized Education Program (IEP) For Families of Preschool Students
2025-09-16 13:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom
This training will provide families an overview of the process for developing an IEP at the preschool level. We will review 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: Click Here

Monthly Decision Making Series Workshop #3: Guardianship Workshop
2025-09-17 12:30 - 13:30 | 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.
**Please note that we will not be offering Workshop #2 this month. It will resume shortly.**
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: Click Here

Hear Our Voices! Disability Conversations Group
2025-09-17 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom
Join our team each month for a conversation on different topics about living your best life with a disability.
Click Here for Zoom Registration

Specially Designed Instruction: A Guide for Families and Caregivers
2025-09-18 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
**PLEASE NOTE THE DATE CHANGE. THIS EVENT WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18. THANK YOU!**
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.
Zoom Registration Click Here

Student Involvement in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) for Families
2025-09-23 18:00 - 19:30 | Zoom
The purpose of this training is to promote and encourage student and family involvement in the IEP development process and Committee on Special Education (CSE) meetings. Concepts and resources that enhance involvement in student pre-meeting preparation, during the meeting participation and post-meeting activities, will be shared.
Zoom Registration: Click Here

Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) Services and Eligibility
2025-09-24 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-10-28 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-11-11 12:00 - 13:00 | 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: Click Here

Self-Direction: An Overview
2025-09-25 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-10-29 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: Click Here

Pre Employment Transition Services (Pre ETS)
2025-10-01 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
COME JOIN US OVER YOUR LUNCH HOUR TO LEARN ABOUT PRE EMPLOYMENT TRANSITION SERVICES OFFERED THROUGH ACCES VR!
Click Here for Flyer and Registration

Readers with Disabilities Book Club
2025-10-06 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom
An inclusive book club for adults of ALL READING LEVELS. Read anything you like and join us each month for a fun discussion about all things books and disability literature.
Zoom Registration: Click Here

Grupo de familias con hijos en Educacion Especial/Spanish Speaking Special Education Group
2025-10-06 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom
Aprenda de los Aprenda de los expertos en Español
Temas a tratar:
Salud familiar, Educacion Especial, Comunicacion con el personal del colegio, Comunicacion con medicos, como conseguir ayuda para sus hijos.
Click Here for Flyer and Zoom Registration

Explicit Vocabulary Instruction for Parents
2025-10-14 12:00 - 13:30 | Zoom
Participants will be able to explain the importance of vocabulary instruction for their children in the elementary grades and describe ways to incorporate explicit instruction and vocabulary instruction in the home.
Zoom Registration: Click Here

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Basics
2025-10-14 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-10-24 10:00 - 11:15 | 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: Click Here

What Is an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for Families of Preschool Students
2025-10-15 11:00 - 12:30 | Zoom
This session will provide families with an overview of the process for developing an Individualized Education Program (IEP) at the preschool level. Participants will learn about the key components of a preschool IEP and how to effectively share important information with the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) regarding their child’s strengths, challenges and developmental progress.
Zoom Registration: Click Here

Join Us for a Conversation with Willow Baer, Commissioner of OPWDD
2025-10-15 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom
Join us on October 15 at 6:00pm via Zoom!
Click Here for Flyer and Zoom Registration

PORTRAIT OF A GRADUATE - NY Inspires: A New Roadmap Towards Success with One Diploma for All
2025-10-16 12:00 - 13:15 | Zoom
Portrait of a Graduate
NY Inspires: A New Roadmap Towards Success with One Diploma for All
The recently adopted recommendations connected to the New York Inspires plan will provide changes over the next few years on graduation requirements. NY Inspires aligns to the Blue Ribbon Commission on Graduation Measures. The plan covers four pivotal areas: A statewide portrait of a graduate, shifts to credit requirements and structures, one diploma for all students, and sunsetting of assessment requirements for graduation. During this session attendees will review current graduation requirements, understand the context for the massive shifts of the New York Inspires plan, and discuss current elements and timelines for the four pivotal areas mentioned above.
Click Here for Flyer and Registration

Supported Decision-Making (SDM), Guardianship, and other Alternatives
2025-10-22 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
In this workshop we will present instruments and methods used to support loved ones with disabilities in making choices as they approach the age of adulthood.
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: Click Here

Future Planning Series Workshop 1 - Starting with the End in Sight: A Panel Discussion
2025-10-22 18:00 - 19:30 | Zoom
At the end of the workshop series, the caregiver will have a blueprint that can be used for the transfer of knowledge to new caregivers. This blueprint includes the systems, people and processes needed to successfully support their loved one so that they live life to the fullest. Individual workshops will cover people and staffing, financial planning, housing, and estate planning. All sessions will be from 6:00pm-7:30pm.
Workshop 1: We kick off the series with a frank discussion with families who are going through the future planning process.
Zoom Registration: Click Here

EI (Early Intervention) to CPSE (Committee on Preschool Special Education) for Families
2025-10-23 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
This presentation will guide parents through the process of transitioning their child from Early Intervention to the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE).
Zoom Registration: Click Here

Guardianship Workshop
2025-10-23 14:00 - 15:00 | Zoom
Applying for Guardianship: Requirements and Process
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. We will review the process of putting together a petition for guardianship and the documentation requirements.
Zoom Registration: Click Here

Transition Linkages Fair
2025-10-28 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. Visit with Representatives from over 45 Vendors Serving Westchester County for Information on transition programs and services
This is an in-person event at the Westchester County Center.
Click Here for Flyer and Registration in English
Click Here for Flyer and Registration in Spanish

Diploma and Credential Options for Students with Disabilities
2025-10-30 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 Registration: Click Here

Grupo de familias con hijos en Educacion Especial/Spanish Speaking Special Education Group
2025-11-03 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom
Aprenda de los Aprenda de los expertos en Español
Temas a tratar:
Salud familiar, Educacion Especial, Comunicacion con el personal del colegio, Comunicacion con medicos, como conseguir ayuda para sus hijos.
Click Here for Flyer and Registration

Readers with Disabilities Book Club
2025-11-03 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom
An inclusive book club for adults of ALL READING LEVELS. Read anything you like and join us each month for a fun discussion about all things books and disability literature.
Click Here for Zoom Registration

ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Accounts Basics
2025-11-04 18:00 - 19:00 | 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: Click Here

Developing Life-skills Workshop 1: The Self-Advocates Panel
2025-11-05 18:00 - 19:30 | 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, safety, laundry, cooking, transportation, and shopping. Please join us for a workshop for caregivers and self-advocates about supporting life-skills learning for children, teens and young adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. In the first of our two-workshop series we will cover the self-advocate’s perspective.
Choose from one of two panels of self-advocates:
· Students at Inclusive U, a post-secondary program for individuals with IDD at Syracuse University
· Young adults with disabilities who are not students who are prioritizing their independence
Zoom Registration: Click here
Save the date for Tuesday, Dec. 2nd, 6:00-7:30 pm for Workshop 2: Developing Life-skills: An Approach for Learning and Mastery

Family Guide to Transition Planning: Preparing Students with Disabilities for Life after High School
2025-11-06 12:00 - 13:30 | Zoom
This training will 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 their school districts, students with disabilities experience improved post-school outcomes in the areas of employment, postsecondary education, and independent living.
Zoom Registration: Click Here
