Westchester Institute for Human Development

Self Direction Update Meeting
2015-11-18 18:30 - 20:00 UTC | Westchester Institute for Human Development, 20 South Plaza W, Cedarwood Hall, Valhalla, NY, 10595, United States
An update: Self direction
This meeting is for Parents and Professionals interested in learning more about Self Direction in the Hudson Valley region and what is happening across the state. Discussion will include updates about the current status of Self-Direction and Housing. You will also have the opportunity to meet other professionals and families.
John Maltby and Nicki Turano, from Westchester Institute for Human Development, will be leading the discussion about Self-Direction and Housing.
While this event is free of charge, registration is required. Registration will close on Friday, November 13th or at 120 people. To register, please click the following link: http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=7zkmyacab&oeidk=a07ebrg3tk37f2b40e4

CPSE / CSE Parent Member Training
2015-11-10 09:30 - 14:00 UTC | Westchester Institute for Human Development, 20 South Plaza W, Cedarwood Hall, Valhalla, NY, 10595, United States
This workshop 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.

Presenters:
Laurie Levine, Regional Special Education Training Specialist
Naomi Brickel, Director, Hudson Valley Special Education Parent Center

Register & More Information:

Space is limited, so register today.
Contact Lulu Bencosme at (914) 493-7665 or lbencosme@wihd.org

Hear Our Voices: Self Advocacy Group Meeting
2015-11-09 18:30 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Westchester Institute for Human Development, 20 South Plaza W, Cedarwood Hall, Valhalla, NY, 10595, United States
Join us for WIHD’s Self Advocacy Group Meeting. The topic will be “Congregational Inclusion and Spirituality.”

Register and More Information:
Contact Mitchell Levitz at (914) 493-5207 or via email at mlevitz@wihd.org.

2015 Transition Institute
2015-10-29 08:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
This conference will highlight innovative, inclusive, person-centered, and cost effective approaches for transition-aged youth.

Featured Keynote Speakers:
LaRon Scott, Special Education and Disability Policy, Virginia Commonwealth University
Stacey Ramirez, State Director, The Arc of Georgia

Register:
Registration information will be available soon.

More Information:
Contact Lucille Rossi at lrossi@wihd.org or (914) 493-7665

Understanding NYS Diploma Options, Requirements and Commencement Credentials
2015-10-21 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Orange County Department of Mental Health, 30 Harriman Drive, Goshen, NY, 10924, United States
This free presentation will offer parents an overview on diploma options for students with disabilities as well as the requirements for an important new exiting credential called the Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS) Commencement Credential that students with an IEP can earn upon exit from school. This credential acknowledges a student’s work-readiness skills and experience needed for entry-level employment opportunities. The Skills and Achievement Commencement Credential, which is awarded to students that have taken the NYS Alternate Assessment (NYSAA), will also be reviewed.

Presenter:
Joyce Hawk, Hudson Valley Special Education Parent Center

Registration & More Information:

Email jbauer@orangecountygov.com or call (845) 360-6710
Event flyer

Oral Health Forum: Providing Proper Dental Home Care for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Vulnerable Older Adults
2015-10-21 08:30 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | WIHD Auditorium, Cedarwood Hall Auditorium, Valhalla, NY, 10595, United States
The Ninth District Dental Association’s Dental Health Planning & Hospital Dentistry Committee presents a free Oral Health Forum: Providing Proper Dental Home Care for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Vulnerable Older Adults. This is open to group home managers and staff located in Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester Counties.

Registration:

Registration is closed.

More Information:

Call (914) 747-1199 or email ninth@ninthdistrict.org
Event flyer

Hear Our Voices: Self Advocacy Group Meeting
2015-10-19 18:30 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Westchester Institute for Human Development, 20 South Plaza W, Cedarwood Hall, Valhalla, NY, 10595, United States
Join us for WIHD’s Self Advocacy Group Meeting. The topic will be “Tips for Menu Planning and Affordable Food Shopping.”

Register and More Information:
Contact Mitchell Levitz at (914) 493-5207 or via email at mlevitz@wihd.org.

Understanding NYS Diploma Options, Requirements and Commencement Credentials
2015-10-06 12:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Access: Supports for Living, 225 Dolson Avenue, Suite 404, Middletown, NY, 10940, United States

Hear Our Voices: Self Advocacy Group Meeting
2015-09-28 18:30 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Westchester Institute for Human Development, 20 South Plaza W, Cedarwood Hall, Valhalla, NY, 10595, United States
Join us for WIHD’s Self Advocacy Group Meeting. The topic will be “Taking Charge of our Own Services and Supports through Self-Direction.” Our discussion leader will be Nicki Turano, LCSW, who is with the Community Support Network at WIHD. She will explain the meaning of Self-Determination through Self-Direction. She will also share information that will help self-advocates to be more informed about options for you to look into if you are interested in receiving different types of services and supports. This discussion will help you understand how to be more involved in decision-making, better advocate for yourselves in your everyday lives, and be more independent.

Presenter:
Nicki Turano, LCSW, Westchester Institute for Human Development

Register and More Information:

Contact Mitchell Levitz at (914) 493-5207 or via email at mlevitz@wihd.org.
Click here for event flyer

Understanding NYS Diploma Options, Requirements and Commencement Credentials
2015-09-21 12:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Greater Hudson Valley Family Health Center, 147 Lake Street, Newburgh, NY, 12550, United States

Understanding NYS Diploma Options, Requirements and Commencement Credentials
2015-09-10 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Port Jervis Free Library, 138 Pike Street, Port Jervis, NY, 12771, United States
This presentation will offer parents an overview on diploma options for students with disabilities as well as the requirements for an important new exiting credential called the Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS) Commencement Credential that students with an IEP can earn upon exit from school. This credential acknowledges a student’s work-readiness skills and experience needed for entry-level employment opportunities. The Skills and Achievement Commencement Credential, which is awarded to students that have taken the NYS Alternate Assessment (NYSAA), will also be reviewed.

Presenter:
Joyce Hawk, Hudson Valley Special Education Parent Center

Registration & More Information:

Email jbauer@orangecountygov.com or call (845) 360-6710
Event Flyer

Hudson Valley SANYS Self-Advocacy Meeting
2015-06-24 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
2015-06-23 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

Download Event Flyer Here:

An Overview of Guardianship, The ABLE Act and Special Needs Trusts
2015-06-10 08:30 - 10:30 (America/New_York) | Westlake High School / Middle School, 825 West Lake Drive, Thornwood, NY, United States
Parents who feel that their child with a disability will require assistance to make decisions, manage finances, manage daily living and provided informed consent when they become adults at the age of 18 or want more information about setting up special savings accounts under the ABLE Act or special needs trust should attend. Guardianship creates an advocate with the legal authority to make certain decisions on behalf of the guardianee, specifically to manage legal, personal and financial affairs. The ABLE ACT allows people with disabilities and their families to set up a special savings account for disability-related expenses (similar to a 529 college savings plan). A special needs trust allows assets to be put into a trust for the long-term benefit of an individual with a disability. Adrienne Arkontaky, a lawyer and the parent of a child with a disability, will provide an overview of these topics.

Presenter:
Adrienne Arkontaky, Cuddy Law Firm PC

Register:
Send an email to kmckenna@mtplcsd.org or leave a voicemail at (914) 769-5500 ext. 6529.

Downloadable Event Flyer:

Hear Our Voices: Self Advocacy Group Meeting
2015-06-08 18:30 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Westchester Institute for Human Development, 20 South Plaza W, Cedarwood Hall, Valhalla, NY, 10595, United States
Join us for WIHD’s Self Advocacy Group Meeting. We will be discussing vacation and travel planning.

Register and More Information:
Contact Mitchell Levitz at (914) 493-8119 or email mlevitz@wihd.org.
