Westchester Institute for Human Development

Monthly Decision Making Series Workshop #3: Guardianship Workshop
2024-07-18 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-09-19 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | 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

Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) Services and Eligibility
2024-07-23 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-08-27 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 Link: Click Here

Special Education 101: Training of the Parent Member
2024-07-24 09:00 - 14:00, 2024-10-08 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

OPWDD Self-Direction
2024-07-24 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

Testing Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
2024-07-25 12:00 - 13:30 | Zoom
School may be over but some students will be taking Regents examinations in August. 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 Individualized Education Program (IEP).

Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Captain Lawrence Community Pints
2024-08-08 17:00 - 22:00 | Captain Lawrence Brewery, 444 Saw Mill River Road, Elmsford, NY, 10523
Back by popular demand! Hang out with us on Thursday Aug 8th at Captain Lawrence and support our mission to improve the lives of people with disabilities and vulnerable children. A minimum $10 donation to WIHD gets you happy hour pricing on all beer, wine, and cocktail from 5 pm to 10 pm. You’ll receive a free WIHD beer glass with a $50 donation. Hope to see you there… Reserve ahead at www.wihd.org/pints or just show up! #communitypints

Family Guide to Transition Planning: Preparing Students with Disabilities for Life After High School
2024-08-13 12:00 - 13:30 | Zoom
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 schools, students with disabilities experience improved post-school outcomes in the areas of employment, postsecondary education, and independent living.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Lunch and Learn: Explicit Vocabulary Instruction for Families
2024-08-20 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Vocabulary is key to reading comprehension, and even emerging readers must have exposure to a lot of different words. Please join us for a brief learning session on how you can help build your children’s vocabularies. During our time together, we will share some of the theories around how we learn, and give quick and easy activities you can do with your children that will help develop their word knowledge.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Monthly Decision Making Series Workshop #1: Supported Decision-Making (SDM), Guardianship, and other Alternatives
2024-08-20 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-09-17 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-10-15 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 #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
2024-08-21 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-09-18 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

Family Forum: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Basics
2024-08-21 12:00 - 13:15 | 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 Link: Click Here

Transition Preschool Special Education to Kindergarten (CPSE to CSE)
2024-08-22 12:00 - 13:00 | 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

CANCELED!!! Monthly Decision Making Series Workshop #3: Guardianship Workshop
2024-08-22 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
CANCELED: We apologize that this event has been canceled. We will be posting a new date on our calendar.
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.

Family Forum: BACK TO SCHOOL 2024 - Tips, Troubleshooting and Q & A
2024-08-27 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Come to this workshop to receive tips on helping your kids transition back to school and troubleshoot special education issues with services and placement. We will be taking questions on all things back to school. You can also share any helpful strategies that work for your family.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

OPWDD Self-Direction
2024-08-28 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 Link: Click Here

ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Accounts Basics
2024-08-29 12:00 - 13:15 | 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 Link: Click Here

SPECIAL EDUCATION TASK FORCE WEBINAR: Special Education Legal Updates 2024
2024-09-20 10:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
Back by popular demand, participants will receive an update on new and updated special education laws, regulations, state and federal guidance, and trending topics or issues. Significant proposed changes to NYS graduation measures, updated guidance on behavioral support, discipline and manifestation determination, new procedural safeguards, and new reporting obligations are just the start of some of the changes in store for the 2024-2025 school year. The presenter will share a legal update on new or revised guidance from the US Department of Education including the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Programs (OSERS), and New York State Department of Education (NYSED) and how they may impact access to or delivery of special education for the 2024-2025 school year. The presentation will offer a summary update and brief analysis of relevant changes or updates and how they may impact identification, evaluation, eligibility, implementation, and procedural rights and protections related to special education programs and services for students with disabilities.
Click Here for Flyer and Registration

DATE CHANGE! PLEASE SEE BELOW - Specially Designed Instruction: A Guide for Families and Caregivers
2024-09-24 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
DATE CHANGE: We apologize that this event has been changed to Thursday, September 26, 2024. The registration link can be found on our 9/26/24 calendar.
Participants will:
• understand the development and use of Specially Designed Instruction for students with disabilities.
• understand that there is both federal and state regulation around Specially Designed Instruction.
• examine what Specially Designed Instruction 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.

Presented by: Lower Hudson Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Center, Mid-Hudson Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Center, NYSED OSE Partnership

EI (Early Intervention) to CPSE (Preschool Special Education) for Families
2024-09-25 11:30 - 12:30 | 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

Specially Designed Instruction: A Guide for Families and Caregivers
2024-09-26 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Participants will:
• understand the development and use of Specially Designed Instruction for students with disabilities.
• understand that there is both federal and state regulation around Specially Designed Instruction.
• examine what Specially Designed Instruction 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 Link: Click Here

Student Involvement in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) for Families
2024-09-30 12:00 - 13:30 | Zoom
This training is intended to promote and encourage student and family involvement in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) development process and Committee on Special Education (CSE) meetings. Participants will identify ways to build and encourage their child’s self-determination skills in order to meaningfully participate to the greatest extent possible, in their own educational planning and active involvement in annual review meetings. The Student-Directed IEP approach can be utilized at any age from K-12th grade. Tools, resources, and research-based information will be provided.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Relationship Skills Group: Self-Advocates at the Community Support Network
2024-10-08 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom
Monthly Relationship Skills Group: Self-Advocates at the Community Support Network
Click Here for Flyer and Registration

Positive Behavior Solutions for Families (series)
2024-10-15 12:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
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 12-2pmOct 15 Making the Connection & Keeping it Positive
Nov 19 Behavior Has Meaning & the Power of Routine
Dec 17 Teach Me What to Do & Responding with Purpose
Jan 21 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 Link: Click Here

What is an Individualized Education Program (IEP) For Families of Preschool Students
2024-10-16 11:00 - 12:30 | Zoom
Overview of the process for developing an IEP at the preschool level for families. The training provides a review of 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 Link: Click Here
