Westchester Institute for Human Development

WEBINAR - Planning for the Future of Your Child with Special Needs
2015-06-03 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Online
Protecting your most valuable asset…planning for the future is important for parents, grandparents and anyone concerned about the future of a child with special needs. Learn how to get started, the available tools and the importance of guardianship and special needs trusts. Littman Krooks will present a free, online webinar series for families, self-advocates, teachers and other professionals who are interested in learning, advocating and understanding the unique legal challenges of people with special needs or developmental disabilities. These monthly webinars will provide current information on a variety of topics pertinent to Special Education Advocacy and Special Needs Planning.

Presenters / Hosts:
Sheryl Frishman Esq., Attoney & Giulia Frasca, Esq., Attorney

Registration:

Registration is required for these webinars.
If you wish to participate, please click the registration link and complete the registration form. You will then receive an email with instructions about logging into the webinar on the designated date.
Register online at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6130053665314812673

What School Services Does Your AD/HD Student Need
2015-06-02 19:30 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Four Winds Hospital Conference Center, 800 Cross River Road (Route 35), Katonah, NY, United States
Presenter:
Lucy Pritzker, MS, Educational and Therapeutic Consultant

Fee:
$5.00 Donation is requested of nonmembers

More Information:
Call (845) 704-2233 (704-2ADD)

CHADD of Putnam & Vicinity Parents Support Session
2015-06-02 18:30 - 19:15 (America/New_York) | Four Winds Hospital Conference Center, 800 Cross River Road (Route 35), Katonah, NY, United States
A support session for parents of children with AD/HD held before the CHADD of Putnam and Vicinity general monthly meetings. You will have an opportunity to exchange information and experiences and share feelings in a supportive and confidential environment facilitated by Debora Saunders, LCSW, Psychotherapist and Medical Social Worker. Please be prompt so that we can make the most of our time together.

Fee:
$5.00 donation requested of nonmembers

More Information:
Call (845) 704-2233

CHADD of Putnam and Vicinity Parents Support Session
2015-06-02 18:30 - 19:15 UTC | Four Winds Hospital Conference Center, 800 Cross River Road (Route 35), Katonah, NY, United States
A support session for parents of children with AD/HD held before the CHADD of Putnam and Vicinity general monthly meetings. You will have an opportunity to exchange information and experiences and share feelings in a supportive and confidential environment facilitated by Deborah Saunders, LCSW, Psychotherapist and Medical Social Worker. Please be prompt so that we can make the most of our time together.

Fee:
$5.00 donation requested of nonmembers

More Information:
E-mail putnam-vicinity@chadd.net

Transition to College
2015-05-27 18:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Dutchess Community College, 53 Pendell Road, Bowne Hall Room 122, Poughkeepsie, NY, 12601, United States
This free presentation is designed to assist parents of young adults with an IEP or 504 plan in understanding the differences that can be expected as students move from high school to a college setting. Topics include: laws which govern services at a college level; the process to access academic accommodations, disability documentation requirements; the changing role of parents; and tips on what students can do now to gain the necessary skills needed for a successful college experience.

Presenter:
Joyce Hawk, Outreach & Information Specialist, HVSEPC

Register & More Information:
Contact Karen Lynch at (845) 452-3913 ext. 112 or via email at k.lynch@taconicresources.org

Hudson Valley SANYS Self-Advocacy Meeting
2015-05-27 10:30 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | Arc of Westchester, 265 Saw Mill River Road, Hawthorne, NY, 10532, United States
Each month the Hudson Valley Region of the Self-Advocacy Association of NYS (SANYS) holds a regional meeting. The goal of meetings is to provide self-advocates with a forum to meet and learn from each other. These are free events, open to all self-advocates and agencies, their families, staff and friends from and parts of the five counties we serve – Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Sullivan or Putnam Counties. Bring your lunch.

More Information:
Contact Jordan Jankus, Hudson Valley Regional Coordinator, at (914) 495-4474 or via email hudsonvalley@sanys.org.

Parent to Parent / HVSEPC Parent Support Group Meeting
2015-05-26 10:30 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Westchester Institute for Human Development, 20 South Plaza W, Cedarwood Hall, Valhalla, NY, 10595, United States
The Hudson Valley Special Education Parent Center and Parent to Parent of NYS, Hudson Valley Region Office are pleased to announce a parent support group for parents/caregivers of children with special needs.
This support group will offer parents/caregivers the opportunity to share information and resources, decrease feelings of isolation by meeting and other in a similar situation and develop strategies to cope with their children’s challenges. Each meeting will include a brief presentation on a topic of interest. There is no fee to attend the group. There is a fee for parking.

More Information:

Contact Parent to Parent at (914) 493-2635 or parenttoparent@wihd.org
Directions: http://www.hvsepc.org/Directions.html

Downloadable Event Flyer:

Transition Planning, Diploma & Credential Options and Post-Secondary Connections
2015-05-21 09:30 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | New Rochelle High School, Linda E. Kelly Auditorium, 265 Clove Road, New Rochelle, NY, United States
The Lower Hudson Special Education Task Force is sponsoring this free workshop open to everyone. The presenters will be providing important information regarding the transition Planning process, creating post-secondary goals, diploma/credential options and post-secondary support.

Presenters:
Greg Lau, Transition Coordinator, City School District of New Rochelle
Kathleen Casey & Stephanie Wozniak, RSE-TASC Transition Specialists

Register:

Click here to register
If you have problems registering please call (845) 228-7457 ext. 1109

Downloadable Event Flyer:

Westchester/Putnam Transition Consortium Meeting
2015-05-21 09:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | Arc of Westchester, 265 Saw Mill River Road, Hawthorne, NY, 10532, United States
This month’s Westchester/Putnam Transition Consortium meeting will be a Front Door Orientation for individuals, families, MSCs, and professionals. The Front Door is a new process for authorizing OPWDD services. This orientation is mandatory and individuals attending will receive credit for this training.

Presenter:
Ira Rothenstein, Waiver and Placement, Hudson Valley DDSO

More Information:
Contact Ellen O. Weinstein, ACSW, LMSW, Transition Specialist, Coordinator and Chairperson, Transition Consortium at (914) 843-4353.

WEBINAR - When the School Bus Stops Coming: Part II (Not College Bound)
2015-05-20 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Online
Learn how to prepare students to leave school, including benefit programs and services available for adults with developmental disabilities. Littman Krooks will present a free, online webinar series for families, self-advocates, teachers and other professionals who are interested in learning, advocating and understanding the unique legal challenges of people with special needs or developmental disabilities. These monthly webinars will provide current information on a variety of topics pertinent to Special Education Advocacy and Special Needs Planning.

Presenters / Hosts:
Sheryl Frishman Esq., Attoney & Giulia Frasca, Esq., Attorney

Registration:

Registration is required for these webinars.
If you wish to participate, please click the registration link and complete the registration form. You will then receive an email with instructions about logging into the webinar on the designated date.
Register online at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7981433334396531713

Hudson Valley Regional Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders (RCASD)
2015-03-19 08:30 - 09:30 (America/New_York) | WIHD Auditorium, Cedarwood Hall Auditorium, Valhalla, NY, 10595, United States
WIHD is the site for one of the six New York State Regional Centers for Autism Spectrum Disorders (RCASD). These centers are coordinated with the Center for Autism Related Disabilities (CARD) at SUNY at Albany. This program is funded by a grant by the New York Department of Education.
The Center serves the seven county Hudson Valley region. which includes the following counties:
♦ Westchester
♦ Rockland
♦ Putnam
♦ Orange
♦ Dutchess
♦ Sullivan
♦ Ulster
The five other Regional Centers are based in Rochester, Albany, Buffalo, Old Westbury and Queens, NY.
Resources We Provide:
The goals of the RCASD are to serve as a resource in bringing research and practice together in community settings, and to promote a focus on effective practices for students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The activities of the project include education and technical assistance, along with information and resources for school personnel and families.
Upcoming Events: Hudson Valley Regional Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders 2nd Annual Spring Conference
Previous Events and Handouts: View Here
Information Sheets: View Here
Community Resources: View Here
Regional/State/National Resources: View Here
The RCASD Project Will:
Improve the quality of services to children with ASD.
Improve the educational outcomes for children with ASD.
Increase the likelihood that children with ASD will be educated in regular classrooms with typically-developing peers, to the maximum extent appropriate.
Improve the quality of life for children with ASD and their families.

Ready, Set, Go to College!
2015-03-17 08:45 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Dutchess Community College James and Betty Hall Theatre / Dutchess Hall, 53 Pendell Road, Poughkeepsie, NY, United States
This workshop is for high school students with an IEP or 504 Plan; their parents/guardians; school personnel and any others involved in the college planning process. Students will learn what they need to know to prepare for their transition to any type of college whether it is a 2-year community college; a 4-year university or any other institution of higher education. (Snow Date: 3/19/15)

7th Annual ReelAbilities New York Disabilities Film Festival
2015-03-15 14:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | WIHD Auditorium, Cedarwood Hall Auditorium, Valhalla, NY, 10595, United States
WIHD will be participating in the 7th Annual ReelAbilities New York Disabilities Film Festival on

Sunday, March 15th, 2015
2:00 pm

Westchester Institute for Human Development
Cedarwood Hall, Auditorium
Valhalla, NY 10595

We will be screening the film

Autistic Like Me: A Father’s Perspective
Directed by Charles Jones (Documentary, 82 minutes)
Admission is free but seating is limited.
Please call (914-493-8993) or email mcurtis@wihd.org to reserve your tickets.

First Steps in the Career Planning Process
2015-03-11 09:30 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Beekman Library, 11 Town Center Boulevard - Community Room, Hopewell Junction, NY, United States
This presentation will review the career assessment process which is mandated by law to begin at age 12. Parents will learn how the structured collection of information about their child’s interests and abilities both in and outside the school environment, allows families to work with their school to engage their child in the career decision-making process and planning goals for the future. Participants will be offered the opportunity to complete a Parent Interview Questionnaire to aid in discussions with their child’s CSE team. (Snow Date: 4/8/15)

Understanding the CDOS Credential
2015-03-02 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Cornwall High School, 10 Dragon Drive , New Windsor, NY, 12553, United States
This presentation is recommended for parents of children with an IEP in 8th grade or higher, to learn about the requirements for an important new exiting credential that students can earn upon graduation. The CDOS Credential provides potential employers with documentation of a student’s skills demonstrating their knowledge and experience needed for entry-level employment opportunities. The Skills and Achievement Commencement Credential for students that have taken the NYS Alternate Assessment (NYSAA) will also be reviewed. (Snow Date: 4/22/15)

Emotional Disabilities and Anxiety in Youth: Parent and School Partnerships that Work
2015-02-27 09:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | WIHD Auditorium, Cedarwood Hall Auditorium, Valhalla, NY, 10595, United States
The Lower Hudson Valley Special Education Task Force, a regional affiliate of the New York State Special Education Task Force, is pleased to announce its kick-off training and discussion event, “Emotional Disabilities and Anxiety in Youth: Parent and School Partnerships that Work”. The discussion will focus on the increasing concern and awareness of children with anxiety and emotional disabilities. According to recent Center for Disease Control statistics, approximately one in five children in the U.S. will experience a mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder between kindergarten and graduation. Failure to address children’s mental health needs can lead to poor academic performance, behavior problems, school violence, substance abuse, suicide, and criminal activity. Often, parents and school districts do not heed or understand early warning signs. As a result, a child’s situation may spiral into crisis before schools or parents can work together to develop a plan that keeps the child in public school with appropriate services. Parents, teachers, special educators, psychologists, and other professionals are encouraged to attend.
Speakers:
Dr. Suanne Mallenbaum, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist; Stephanie Roebuck, Esq., Keane and Beane PC, School District Attorney; Marion Walsh, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP, Parents’ Attorney; Dr. Carolyn McGuffog, Director of Educational Services, Pleasantville Central School District; Dr. Jeanean Hergenrother, School Psychologist, Pelham Union Free School District; Michael Orth, Westchester County Deputy Commissioner of Community Mental Health
