Westchester Institute for Human Development

Agency 101 – Connecting Individuals with Disabilities to Adult Services
2021-10-27 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom Meeting
This session will provide an overview on the primary adult agency providers that are available in NYS and the different types of services they provide to support individuals with disabilities. Participants will receive resources to aid in the promotion of self-determination skills throughout the transition planning process to help students achieve positive post-secondary outcomes for employment, continued learning and independent living. Join us to increase your knowledge of, and connection with, appropriate referral options and processes.

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Transition Linkages Fair: Day Programs
2021-10-27 19:00 - 20:30
An Event for Parents, Educators & Advocates to Learn More About
Adult Services & Transition Planning
Hear from Representatives in Five Key Transition Areas Supporting Westchester County
Five-Week Virtual Transition Series:
Week 1: Oct. 20th, The Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) Process & Care Coordination Organizations (CCOs)
Week 2: Oct. 27th, Day Programs
Week 3: Nov. 3rd, Recreation & Respite
Week 4: Nov. 10th, Employment & Prevocational Services
Week 5: Nov. 17th, Transition & Inclusive Higher Education Programs

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Event Flyer

Virtual Parent Member Training
2021-10-28 09:00 - 15:00
Hudson Valley FACE Center, in collaboration with the Lower Hudson Regional Partnership Center will be offering an opportunity for Parent Member Certification. Participants must attend the entire session to be certified. There will be a one hour break for lunch. This virtual workshop will provide an overview and best practices approach to the CPSE/CSE process. Parents and Parent Members will learn to develop techniques and strategies to become effective members of the IEP team in their respective roles. This training is open to anyone interested in learning about the special education process, or even as a refresher course on CPSE/CSE! Any parent or guardian 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.

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Voices for Change
2021-11-02 19:00 - 20:00
Strategies for Engaging Policy Makers
Parents, family members, and self-advocates can be highly effective in working with policy makers in the New York State Senate, New York State Assembly, as well as United States Senate and Congress. These members “work for us” and it is important that they hear from us on those issues that are important to our community. The Community Support Network is proud to announce that we are kicking off a series of sessions, designed to teach us all how to be better advocates, get the attention and ears of our policy makers, and communicate those issues to get the best results. The series will take place on the first Tuesday of each month, at 7:00pm. All sessions will be virtual via a ZOOM link. Please register at the link below. Any. questions can be directed to – Lucille Rossi

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Transition Linkages Fair: Recreation & Respite
2021-11-03 19:00 - 20:30

Life Skills Working Group for Parents & Caregivers of Teens & Young Adults with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities
2021-11-04 19:00 - 20:15
Session 2: Focus on Finance. We will also review the results of the last session’s take-home assignment. New attendees welcome!
Life skills, or daily living skills, are abilities that our young adults 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.
Join our monthly series of sessions where parents and caregivers learn concrete tools and approaches to helping their loved ones develop these skills. For each session, we will focus on one or two life skill areas. Participants will use what they learn in each session to help implement these tools in their teen/young adults’ lives. These are interactive sessions where participants learn together and get the opportunity to receive and give feedback on results achieved during follow up sessions.

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Talking to Our Children about Learning Differences
2021-11-08 19:00 - 20:30
Promoting Self Awareness and Self Determination
How do I talk to my child about their disability? This presentation will allow participants to discuss freely the issues surrounding a discussion with your child about their disability or learning differences, with a positive eye toward self-awareness and self-determination. The workshop will explore tools to support students in expressing themselves as a member of their CSE, so as to develop a quality IEP that respects and accommodates unique individual needs.
ALL ARE WELCOME!
Please RSVP to hcsdparentcommittee@gmail.com with your name and your child’s grade/school. You will be sent a zoom link via email one day prior to the meeting.

Positive Behavior Solutions for Families - Session 1
2021-11-09 10:00 - 12:00
Event is Full
Positive Solutions for Families is a four session workshop series that will give parents and family caregivers positive and effective strategies to promote children’s social and emotional development and address the challenging behavior of children ages 2-5 years old.
Four sessions, each session will cover a different topic all 10am – 12noon. Families should attend all sessions.
November 9, 2021
December 7, 2021
January 11, 2022
February 8, 2022

Living Independently In Your Own Place
2021-11-10 18:00 - 19:00
Do you want to learn how to start living independently in your own place?
Solanyi Rosario works for the WIHD Self-Direction team. With self-direction, you choose your services, the staff and organizations that provide them, and a schedule that works best for you. Self-direction empowers people to design supports based on their unique strengths and needs. It gives you more control over the funding used to buy your services. Anyone who is eligible for OPWDD services and enrolled in the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver can choose to self-direct their services. Solanyi will give the Hear Our Voices group an overview of the Housing process, the different alternatives that exist and how to get this process started.
Hannah Badain is an amazing self-advocate navigating adult services and supports independently. Hannah has educated herself on self-direction and is currently living on her own in Westchester County. Hannah will share her journey towards independent living and the many lessons she has learned in this process.

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Transition Linkages Fair: Employment & Prevocational Services
2021-11-10 19:00 - 20:30

Transition Planning for Life after High School: An Introduction to the Process for Families
2021-11-11 18:00 - 19:30
By Invitation Only
This free virtual workshop will provide parents of students with disabilities with information on the school to post-school transition planning process and transition components in the IEP starting at age 15. Families are essential partners with the school district and collaboration with the Committee on Special Education (CSE) team is extremely important to fully understand considerations for successful career development and transition to adulthood. The workshop will help parents to think about their children today, their children in the future and the support required to help them achieve long-term goals after high school.

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Hear Our Voices Speaker's Network presents: Tammy Lin
2021-11-16 18:00 - 19:00
Tammy Lin is an amazing self-advocate living her life with Sturge-Weber syndrome. Her presentation will educate the audience on this condition. Tammy will share how Sturge Weber has shaped her life, the struggles she has faced and her determination to teach the world to see her for who she really is. Please join us to learn about Tammy.

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Explicit Vocabulary Instruction for Families
2021-11-17 18:00 - 19:00, 2021-11-18 18:45 - 19:45
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.

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Transition Linkages Fair: Transition & Inclusive Higher Education Programs
2021-11-17 19:00 - 20:30

Transition Thought Exchange
2021-11-18 10:00 - 11:30
Guardianship and Supported Decision Making
The November 2021 Transition Thought Exchange is designed for District Special Education Administrators, CSE Chairs and Transition Coordinators and will focus on the Guardianship process and interventions districts should provide to empower independence and prepare their students for successful supported decision making.

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Instrucción Explícita de Vocabulario para Familias
2021-11-30 16:30 - 17:30
Venga a esta sesión para que los padres y cuidadores aprendan cómo apoyar el desarrollo de nuevo vocabulario de su hijo, la importancia de la instrucción de vocabulario y maneras de incorporar la instrucción de vocabulario en casa para sus hijos que están en Pre-K hasta el grado 6.
Ingrese Aquí para Registrarse

Diploma and Credential Options for Students with Disabilities
2021-12-01 12:00 - 14:00
The goals of this training are to ensure participants will recognize and identify: The definition of self-determination and its relation to determining individualized diploma and graduation options, the credit requirements for graduation in NYS, The Multiple Pathways to Graduation, 4 + 1 Option requirements for all students, the appeal eligibility criteria for all students, the safety net option for students with disabilities and also the exiting credentials available in NYS and the requirements for each.
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Positive Behavior Solutions for Families - Session 2
2021-12-07 10:00 - 12:00
Positive Solutions for Families is a four session workshop series that will give parents and family caregivers positive and effective strategies to promote children’s social and emotional development and address the challenging behavior of children ages 2-5 years old.
Each session will cover a different topic all 10am – 12noon. Families should attend all sessions.
December 7, 2021
January 11, 2022
February 8, 2022
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Transition from Early Intervention to Preschool Special Education
2021-12-09 10:00 - 11:30
This workshop is for parents of children turning 3 this year and aging out of Early Intervention. Come learn about important timelines, your role, and how to prepare for your meeting with the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE).

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Specially Designed Instruction: A Guide for Families and Caregivers
2021-12-10 10:00 - 11:00
This workshop will help participants develop an understanding of Specially Designed Instruction in order to increase knowledge of parents and other family members as engaged meaningful partners in the special education process and the education of their child.

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Diploma and Credential Options
2021-12-14 18:00 - 20:00
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 and the appeal eligibility criteria for all students will be reviewed as well as the safety-net options for students with disabilities. Find out how earning a Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS) Commencement Credential is beneficial in a number of ways along with the guidelines for awarding a Skills and Achievement Commencement Credential.
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Transition Planning from Preschool Special Education to Kindergarten
2021-12-16 13:00 - 14:30
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).
This workshop will be held via ZOOM
1. Registered participants will receive access to a self-guided training package on Monday, December 13th. This will include a multi-part training webinar. If you need the videos and materials in Spanish please email saayala@WIHD.org.
2. Participants will listen to each video at their own pace (approximately 60 minutes)
3. Participants will receive handouts that they can access and save or print as well as helpful resources
4. The presenters will host a Live Q&A Session via Zoom (link will be provided) on Thursday, December 16, 2021, 1:00-2:30 pm.
This workshop will be repeated on the following upcoming dates:
Thursday, January 27th, 7-8:30 pm**
Tuesday, February 22, 1:00-2:30 pm**
**Our Bilingual Educator will be present January 27th and February 22nd to answer questions for Spanish-speaking families**
Click Here to Register/Inicie Aquí Para Registrarse

HOV Holiday Party with The Prospect Band
2021-12-16 18:00 - 19:00
The Prospect Band is a five piece band featuring lead vocalist Thomas D, lead guitarist, and backing vocalist Ryan Wenke, bassist Max Shapiro, organist Rachel Wise and Jeff Bonistalli on the drums.

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Hear Our Voices - Tips and Ideas on working with DSP staff
2022-01-12 18:00 - 19:00
Hiring, managing and keeping staff on your team is an important part of your self-advocacy journey. Come learn from Nichole Hastings from LifePlan.
Discussion tips for hiring staff.
• Understanding Your Disability
• Understanding your goals/action plan
• Communication method/emergency contact info
• Expectations/rules they need to follow
• Diet/Exercise/Special Needs
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2022 CSN Transition Institute
2022-01-19 - 2022-01-21
Wednesday, January 19th, 2022-Friday, January 21st, 2022
TheCommunity Support Networkis pleased once again to offer our annual conference on post-secondary transition covering topics ranging from employment options, inclusive college programs, social and recreational programs, systems navigation, self-advocacy,and policy issues with several breakout tracks to choose from.
This year’s threads include:

For Self-Advocates: Sessions focused on issues for individuals with disabilities
Self Help: Strategies and ideas to cope with stress and wellness ideas
Self Determination: Strategies to promote responsibility and independence
Inclusive Higher Education: Information and promising practices in college programs for students with I/DD
Financial Planning and Systems Navigation: Information regarding benefits systems and financial planning
For School Administrators: Best practices to build capacity for inclusive transition supports and services. Learn from experts and each other.
Introduction to Everything: Beginners guide for families just starting transition planning
Living and Working: Promising practices around Housing, Employment, and Recreation

Visit our website here (where you can see the agenda, register, get zoom links, and other information)

ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Account Basics
2022-01-24 18:00 - 19:00
Would you like to learn more about Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts? Come to this workshop where information about Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE), a new financial savings tool for individuals with disabilities will be shared. What is an ABLE account, how it works and the eligibility requirements will be discussed. Potential ABLE participants and their families are invited.

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Virtual Parent Member Training
2022-01-26 16:00 - 18:00
Four-hour parent member certification for parents/families with children with IEPs
Note: this is a four-hour training over two-days (two consecutive Wednesdays, 1/26/22 and 2/2/22 from 4-6 pm). You must attend both sessions to be certified as a Parent Member. This workshop (through Zoom) will provide an overview and best practices approach to the CPSE/CSE process to educate parents and Parent Members and assist them to develop techniques and strategies to become effective members of the IEP team in their respective roles. This training is open to anyone interested in learning about the special education process, or even as a refresher course on CPSE/CSE! 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. We offer this training four times per year, the next Parent Member Training will be offered April 2022.
Please email Bilingual Educator Saira Ayala if you are interested in taking this training in Spanish, saayala@wihd.org. We will schedule a Spanish option in Spring 2022 if there is sufficient interest.
Click Here to Register

Transition Planning from Preschool Special Education to Kindergarten (CPSE to CSE) (Disponible en Español)
2022-01-27 19:00 - 20:30
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).
This workshop will be held via ZOOM:
1. Registered participants will receive access to a self-guided training package on Monday, January 24th. This will include a multi-part training webinar. If you need the videos and materials in Spanish please email saayala@WIHD.org.
2. Participants will listen to each video at their own pace (approximately 60 minutes)
3. Participants will receive handouts that they can access and save or print as well as helpful resources
4. The presenters will host a Live Q&A Session via Zoom (link will be provided) on Thursday, January 27th, 7-8:30 pm. This workshop will be repeated on the following upcoming date: Tuesday, February 22, 1:00-2:30 pm
**Our Bilingual Educator will be present to answer questions for Spanish-speaking families**
Planificación para Transición de Educación Especial PreEscolar a Kindergarten (CPSE a CSE)
Este taller apoyará a los padres mientras se preparan para la transición de su hijo de la educación especial preescolar al kindergarten. Los temas cubiertos incluyen: Entender las diferencias entre el Comité para la Educación Especial Preescolar (CPSE) y el Comité para la Educación Especial (CSE), entender el proceso de transición de CPSE a CSE, aprender cómo ser un miembro activo del equipo de transición, entender el propósito de un Programa de Educación Individualizado (IEP).
Este taller se llevará a cabo a través de ZOOM.
1. Los participantes inscritos tendrán acceso a un paquete de formación autoguiado el lunes 24 de enero. Esto incluirá un seminario web de capacitación de varias partes.
2. Los participantes escucharán cada video a su propio ritmo (aproximadamente 60 minutos)
3. Los participantes recibirán folletos a los que pueden acceder y guardar o imprimir, así como recursos útiles.
4. Los presentadores organizarán. una sesión de preguntas y respuestas en vivo a través de Zoom (se proporcionará el enlace) el jueves 27 de enero, de 7 a 8:30 pm. Este taller se repetirá en la siguiente fecha próxima: martes 22 de febrero, 1:00-2:30 pm **Nuestra educadora bilingüe estará presente para responder preguntas para familias en español.**
Click Here to Register/Ingrese Aquí para Registrarse

Explicit Vocabulary Instruction for Families
2022-02-01 16:00 - 17:30
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. This workshop is also offered Thursday, January 27th, 7:00-8:30 pm

Click Here to Register
