Westchester Institute for Human Development

Positive Solutions for Families (Series)
2026-02-10 12:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Positive Solutions for Families
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 12-1:30pm
Dates:
Nov 18 Making the Connection & Keeping it Positive
Dec 16 Behavior Has Meaning & the Power of Routine
Jan 13 Teach Me What to Do & Responding with Purpose
Feb 10 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: Click Here

Hear Our Voices! Relationship Skills Group
2026-02-10 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom
Join us each month to learn and practice social skills in a safe space for young adults with disabilities. Start your journey to build healthy friendships and become a part of your community!
Click Here for Zoom Registration

Student Involvement in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) for Families
2026-02-10 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

Westchester Institute of Human Development Clinician Services
2026-02-12 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom
Have you ever wondered what services are provided at Westchester Institute of Human Development?
Izel Steinmann Obermeyer, PhD, the Chief Clinical Officer at WIHD will share information about all the clinical services provided at WIHD. She will discuss medical, dental, behavioral health and allied health services in more detail. Join this session to learn more about the comprehensive model of services at the Westchester Institute for Human Development: your one stop shop for the integration of most of your health care needs.
Zoom Registration: Click Here

Hear Our Voices! Disability Conversations Group
2026-02-18 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-03-18 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

Future Planning Series: Understanding Housing Options for Individuals with Disabilities (Workshop 4)
2026-02-19 18:00 - 19:30 | Zoom
This 7- workshop series, held once a month, aims to provide caregivers with the directions for creating a transition plan for supporting their loved ones, as caregivers go through the aging process and beyond.
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.
Understanding Housing Options for Individuals with Disabilities: Housing Options for our loved ones with disabilities are complex and difficult to understand. Come hear a first person’s account in understanding options, key concepts and resources in New York State’s residential system. Presenter: Mariela Adams, M.S.
Zoom Registration: Click Here

CANCELLED!! Special Education 101: Training of the Parent Member
2026-02-24 09:00 - 14:00 | Pearl River School District, 135 W. Crooked Hill Road, Pearl River, NY
Please note this training has been cancelled. It will be rescheduled at a date TBD. Please contact CSN@WIHD.ORG for questions.
We offer our 4-hour Parent Member Training two times per year. 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 certificate.

The Benefits of Using Special Education Mediation for Dispute Resolution
2026-02-25 12:30 - 13:30 | Zoom
Special education mediation is a free, voluntary service available to parents, guardians, and school districts across New York State. When challenges arise, mediation offers a constructive, collaborative path forward. This presentation explores how mediation supports effective communication, shared problem-solving, and timely resolution of special education disputes—helping families and districts keep the focus where it belongs: on meeting the needs of the child. Participants will also be introduced to additional dispute resolution resources available through SEDRC.
Note: SEDRC is a program of the New York State Education Department, Office of Special Education, managed and administered by the New York State Dispute Resolution Association.
Zoom Registration: Click Here

College Acceptance Achieved: Empowering Students with Disabilities to Plan What Comes Next
2026-02-25 18:00 - 19:30 | Zoom
Join us for an informative webinar on navigating the transition to college for students with disabilities. This session is designed for students with disabilities, parents, school staff, and college disability services professionals. Our expert panel includes a former college counselor and disability specialist, school psychologist, and a parent attorney who will share practical steps for accessing accommodations in college. They will also discuss strategies to strengthen self-advocacy skills and how to help students secure the support they need for success in college.

Click Here for Flyer and Registration

Supported Decision-Making (SDM), Guardianship, and other Alternatives
2026-02-26 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-03-24 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

Guardianship Workshop
2026-02-26 13:30 - 14:30, 2026-03-26 12:00 - 13:00 | 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

Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) Services and Eligibility
2026-02-27 10:00 - 23:15
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
2026-02-27 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-03-18 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

What Is an Individualized Education Program (IEP)? For Families of School-Age Students
2026-03-09 12:00 - 13:30 | 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

Readers with Disabilities Book Club
2026-03-09 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-04-06 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.
Click Here for Zoom Registration

Grupo de familias con hijos en Educacion Especial/Spanish Speaking Special Education Group
2026-03-09 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

Positive Solutions for Families (series)
2026-03-11 10:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
Join us for a four-session workshop series for parents, families, and caregivers. 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 Wednesday from 10am-12pm
Dates:
March 11 Making the Connection & Keeping it Positive
April 15 Behavior Has Meaning & the Power of Routine
May 13 Teach Me What to Do & Responding with Purpose
June 10 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: Click Here

Testing Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
2026-03-12 12:00 - 13:30 | Zoom
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

ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Account Basics
2026-03-12 19:15 - 20:30 | 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 helpindividuals 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.
Click Here to Join Zoom: https://zoom.us/join
Meeting ID and passcode (case sensitive) required
Meeting ID: 328 256 0387
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) Services and Eligibility
2026-03-17 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom

CAREER & SERVICES EXPO
2026-03-19 09:00 - 13:30 | SUNY Ulster – Vanderlyn Hall
Parents, guardians, school support teams, community organizations, students with Individual Education Plans (IEP’s) and 504 Plans are invited to attend this career and service expo. The event will connect youth with career opportunities and essential services that support ongoing educational and professional growth.

Presented By: Ulster County Transition Council
Click Here for Flyer

Future Planning Series Workshop #5: Estate Planning
2026-03-19 18:00 - 19:30 | Zoom
This 7- workshop series, held once a month, aims to provide caregivers with the directions for creating a transition plan for supporting their loved ones, as caregivers go through the aging process and beyond.
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.
Workshop #5: Estate Planning
Estate planning is the process of determining how an individual’s assets will be preserved, managed, and distributed after death or in the event they become incapacitated. This is particularly important for families who have children with special needs. Amy O’Hara, Partner at Littman Krooks LLP, will present on the legal aspects of planning to ensure that your loved one’s needs are met.
Zoom Registration: Click Here

New York State Alternate Assessment (NYSAA): Essential Information for Families of Students with Disabilities
2026-03-24 18:00 - 19:30 | Zoom
The purpose of this training is to educate families of students with disabilities on the essential information of NYSAA, including what NYSAA is, what the test entails, and how it will affect a student’s postsecondary planning. Additionally, the training will review all state assessment options, the eligibility and decision-making process, and graduation/student exit options.
Zoom Registration: Click Here

Advance Directives
2026-03-25 12:00 - 13:15 | Zoom
Join us for a presentation by Stacy M. Sadove, Esq., on advance directives. Advance directives are legal instruments that can provide protection regarding healthcare, finance and other decisions for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Advance directives offer a less restrictive form of decision-making protection compared to guardianship. Stacy is a founding Partner of Fitzgerald & Sadove PLLC.
Zoom Registration: Click Here

School's Out: Making Summer Count - Summer Strategies for Families
2026-03-31 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Join us for FUN IDEAS and strategies to get you through the summer.
We will cover summer activities, regression, maintaining skills during the summer and preparation for Back to School. In this session you will learn big principles and little practices that you can try with your child to aid with LITERACY, ART, MATH, communication and how to make it all fun!
Zoom Registration: Click Here
