"Hear Our Voices" Self-Advocacy Monthly Group Meeting
2024-01-17 18:00 - 19:00, 2024-02-21 18:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
“Hear Our Voices” Self-Advocacy Monthly Group Meeting
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

New York State Alternate Assessment (NYSAA): Essential Information for Families of Students with Disabilities
2024-01-18 18:00 - 19:30
This training is to educate families on the New York State Alternate Assessment (NYSAA) which is part of the NYS testing program that measures attainment of the State’s learning standards for students with the most severe disabilities in grades 3-8 and high school. Participants will learn about all State assessment options, what the NYSAA test entails, the eligibility and decision-making process, graduation/student exit options and how it will affect a student’s post-secondary planning.
Zoom Link: Click Here

What is an Individualized Education Program (IEP) For Families of Preschool Students
2024-01-23 10:00 - 11:30
This workshop will provide families/parents and caregivers an overview of the process for developing an Individual Education Program (IEP) using a collaborative approach. The training provides a review of the areas of the IEP and the information that a parent, family and/or caregiver can share with the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) regarding their child’s performance and disability related needs.
Participants will:
Understand the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) process and your role within the process​ Identify the different components of the IEP​ Discuss how to develop relationships and practices that build home-school collaboration and support the student.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

New York State Alternate Assessment (NYSAA): Essential Information for Families of Students with Disabilities
2024-01-26 10:00 - 11:30
This training is to educate families on the New York State Alternate Assessment (NYSAA) which is part of the NYS testing program that measures attainment of the State’s learning standards for students with the most severe disabilities in grades 3-8 and high school. Participants will learn about all State assessment options, what the NYSAA test entails, the eligibility and decision-making process, graduation/student exit options and how it will affect a student’s post-secondary planning.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Family Forum: Preparing for Your Child's Annual Review
2024-01-30 18:00 - 19:00
Parents are integral partners in the special education process. Join this conversation as we explore how parents can effectively prepare for the annual review and be an effective member of the CSE. Learn about planning strategies, approaching differences of opinion, and keeping the focus on your child.
Zoom Link: Click Here

2024 ‘Virtual’ Transition Institute
2024-01-31 08:00 - 19:00, 2024-02-01 08:00 - 19:00, 2024-02-02 08:00 - 14:00
2024 CSN Transition Institute
This virtual, free conference will be held on January 31- February 2, 2024. There are over 30 speakers on a myriad of Transition Topics – everything from “What is a Transition Plan” to topics on Self-Direction, Adult Services, Supported Decision Making and Guardianship, Employment, and other pertinent topics.

>>Register here<<

Community Support Network 2024 ‘Virtual’ Transition Institute
Join us for our Annual Transition Institute – covering topics including sessions on employment, future planning, and more!

Visit our Annual Transition Institute website here and check out recordings from the 2021, 2022, and 2023 Transition Institutes.

What Is an Individualized Education Program (IEP)? For Families of School-Age Students
2024-02-05 18:00 - 19:30, 2024-03-14 18:00 - 19:30
The purpose of “What is an IEP? For Families of School-Age Students” is to 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

Testing Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
2024-02-06 12:00 - 13:30
This training was developed to promote the understanding and appropriate use of test accommodations for students with disabilities. It is intended to provide information related to the decision-making process and types of test accommodations available, as well as the documentation of appropriate accommodations on the individualized education program (IEP).
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Transition to College for Students with an IEP or 504 Plan
2024-02-07 19:00 - 20:30
Click Here for Flyer and Registration: 2-7-24 Transition to College Flyer

Family Guide to Transition Planning
2024-02-09 10:00 - 11:30
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 their schools, students with disabilities experience improved post-school outcomes in the areas of employment, postsecondary education, and independent living.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

CPSE (the Committee on Preschool Special Education) to CSE (the Committee on Special Education) for Parents
2024-02-13 10:00 - 11:00
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

Monthly Decision Making Series Workshop #1: Supported Decision-Making (SDM), Guardianship, and other Alternatives
2024-02-13 12:00 - 13:00
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

Self-Advocates: Peer to Peer Discussion about Dating and Relationships
2024-02-13 18:00 - 19:00
Self-Advocates: Peer to Peer Discussion about Dating and Relationships
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Monthly Decision Making Series Workshop #2: Digging in to Supported Decision-Making
2024-02-15 12:00 - 13:00
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
2024-02-16 12:00 - 13:00
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

Explicit Vocabulary Instruction for Families (EVI)
2024-02-27 12:00 - 13:00
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

Future Planning Series: How Do We Pass The Torch? Transition Planning in Preparation for Aging Series Workshop 5 - Recap and Shareout
2024-02-29 18:00 - 19:30
This 5- 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.
Workshop 5: Recap and Shareout
Our workshops in this series covered the following topics: future planning overview, financial planning, legal planning, and housing. In our final workshop of the series, we will summarize the learnings of the four prior workshops and will review the legal and financial documents that were referenced. We will also revisit the “Dream Team” concept. Participants will be encouraged to share where they are in the planning process.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Family Forum: Preparing for Your Child's Annual Review / Cómo Prepararse Para la Revisión Anual de Su Hijo
2024-03-05 12:00 - 13:00
This training will be available in English and Spanish simultaneously. Este entrenamiento estará disponible en inglés y español simultáneamente.
Parents are integral partners in the special education process. Join this conversation as we explore how parents can effectively prepare for the annual review and be an effective member of the CSE. Learn about planning strategies, approaching differences of opinion, and keeping the focus on your child. Presented by: Community Support Network
Los padres son socios integrales en el proceso de educación especial. Únase a esta conversación mientras exploramos cómo los padres pueden prepararse eficazmente para la revisión anual y ser un miembro eficaz del CSE. Aprenda a planificar estrategias, abordar las diferencias de opinión y mantener la atención en su hijo. Presentado por: Red de Apoyo Comunitario
Zoom Link: Click Here
Enlace de Zoom para la registracion: Haga clic aquí

Toma de decisiones con apoyo: una alternativa a la tutela / Supported Decision Making: An Alternative to Guardianship
2024-03-06 12:00 - 13:00
Míercoles 6 de Marzo de 2024 – 12:00 pm a 1:00 pm
Wednesday, March 6, 2024 – 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
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 aquí
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Diploma and Credential Options for Students with Disabilities
2024-03-07 18:00 - 19:30
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

EI (Early Intervention) to CPSE (Preschool Special Education) for Families
2024-03-12 10:00 - 11:00
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

Topic 17a Taller de lengua española sobre tutela/17A Guardianship (Spanish language workshop)
2024-03-14 12:00 - 13:00
Fecha y hora: 14 de marzo de 2024 12-1pmh
Este taller se impartirá únicamente en español.
This workshop will be given in Spanish only.
Este taller sobre tutela 17A está dirigido a cuidadores que ya asistieron a nuestro taller sobre toma de decisiones con apoyo del 6 de marzo. 17Una tutela es la forma de tutela otorgada a los cuidadores de personas con discapacidades intelectuales o del desarrollo. Dado que la tutela se considera la forma más restrictiva de apoyo a las decisiones, se recomienda que considere la toma de decisiones con apoyo antes de comenzar el proceso de tutela. Para nuestro taller de tutela del 14 de marzo revisaremos los requisitos para la tutela y el proceso de elaboración de una petición de tutela.
This workshop on 17A guardianship is intended for caregivers who have already attended our March 6 Supported Decision-Making workshop. 17A guardianship is the form of guardianship granted to caregivers of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Since guardianship is considered the most restrictive form of decision support, it is recommended that you consider Supported Decision Making before starting the guardianship process. For our March 14 guardianship workshop we will review the requirements for guardianship and the process of putting together a guardianship petition.
Enlace de Zoom para la registracion: Haga clic aquí
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

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

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
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
