View as Webpage

AN E-NEWSLETTER FROM WIHD FOR THE CSN COMMUNITY

The help you need from WIHD's Community Support Network is here in one place.

Reach out to (914) 493-8119 or CSN@wihd.org.

Your child is turning 5 and the IEP meeting is scheduled. What’s next? Start by making a list of all the wonderful things your preschooler can do and note some struggles he or she may be having, too. You  want the CPSE to know your preschooler for who they more than can be captured in a snapshot during an observation.  You can always bring a friend, family member, or request a Parent Member to be your “note taker” and collect  the details that you may miss. This whole process may be overwhelming, breathe.  

When a child has special needs, kindergarten planning can be many things from exciting and fun to overwhelming and scary. One thing is for sure going to kindergarten is going to be different, it is going to be a transition, not just for your kindergartener, but for you; the parent, family member or caregiver.  Change is good, it is even better when you are prepared.Preparation is achieved through communication with the preschool and having access to evaluations before you sit down at the IEP meeting.

This meeting for some  might mean declassification, your preschoolers may no longer require services. Goals were met and evaluations were completed and the Committee for Special Preschool Education(CPSE), which includes parents/families as and an equal member in the decision making process,  has determined moving forward your kindergartener will not have an IEP. For other preschoolers and their families, this meeting may result in a different outcome; your preschooler may continue to be eligible for special education services and be recommended to the Committee of Special Education (CSE) which is special education for school age children 5-21.

Your child will no longer be a preschooler with a disability, a classification will now be determined. Take a breath. Pause.  Be present. You may begin to feel more overwhelmed, the language may be scary, and things will be different, however the decisions that will be made at this time will create an individualized education plan (IEP)  to best support developmental needs and to meet your child where he or she is at. The Committee, which includes you, will determine the least restrictive learning environment for your child. You do not need to wait for the next annual review to discuss making changes to your kindergartener’s IEP, you can request the frequency of parent teacher communication be added to the IEP to help maintain open communication between home and school.

To learn more about the IEP process, follow the link >>here< to sign up and join us at our next Parent Member Event April 24, 2024 9am-2pm

April is Autism Acceptance Month,  an opportunity to raise awareness around neurodiversity, learn to honor each individual’s needs and strengths, and foster inclusion for people living with autism. 

We can all make an impact. Some ways to get involved during Autism Acceptance Month and beyond:

• Show your support by wearing the color blue and displaying the infinity symbol—both are associated with autism awareness and inclusion.
• Post acceptance messages on social media with hashtags #CelebrateDifferences, #AutismAcceptanceMonth, and #AutismAwarenessMonth.
• Build empathy through understanding the real-life experiences of individuals with autism (e.g., read their memoirs, listen to their TED Talks, follow them on social media, etc.).
• Set a good example for others by considering your own words and actions when it comes to autism.

Please see the attached flyer for additional suggestions to help increase awareness and inclusion.

These videos were put together by the NYS Council on Developmental Disability for their Disability Awareness Month campaign. CSN Staff members Brendan Klein and Nichole Hastings are featured in the videos. 

A World of Opportunities -- Self-advocates talk about their accomplishments, their goals, and what makes them happy.

click here for video

DD Proud -- Having pride in yourself or something you've done is an essential part of a happy life. click here for video

The Future -- In a world full of opportunities, we asked self-advocates what their future holds. click here for video

National Core Indicators:

The Office for People With Developmental Disabilities is excited to announce the start of the National Core Indicators (NCI) In-Person Survey for 2023-2024. This survey asks adults aged 18+ who are receiving services about their quality of life and how they feel about the services they receive. This year we are surveying over 1,700 people across New York State. The NCI In-Person Survey is optional and will not impact the current services or supports a person receives from OPWDD.

https://vitalresearch.com/newyork/nci/index.html

To learn more about the National Core Indicators, what they are, what they measure and how the states stack up, see this link: National Core Indicators®

National Core Indicators (NCI)® is a voluntary effort by public developmental disabilities agencies to measure and track their own performance.

The core indicators are standard measures used across states to assess the outcomes of services provided to individuals and families.  Indicators address key areas of concern including employment, rights, service planning, community inclusion, choice, and health and safety. https://legacy.nationalcoreindicators.org/

OPWDD: Ombudsman Program to be Established

New York State’s Fiscal Year 2024 Budget included funding for NYS Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) to establish an ombudsman program to provide independent, conflict-free ombudsmen services to people with developmental disabilities. In February 2024, OPWDD issued a Request for Proposals to seek a qualified contractor to develop and implement the program. Proposals were due to OPWDD by March 11, and awards will be issued later this spring.  

Once in place, the ombudsman program will:

• Establish and oversee a statewide ombudsman network to identify, investigate, refer and resolve complaints related to access to or delivery of services;
• Provide education on services and rights, help people complete forms/paperwork, access records, and connect to legal services as necessary;
• Implement comprehensive community education to increase awareness and use of ombudsman services by people with developmental disabilities; and
• Collect and analyze data on ombudsman program activities and use that information to support ongoing quality assurance and improvement activities.

This new program will not support people receiving services at OPWDD’s campus-based developmental centers. People residing at these locations will continue to be served by the existing Ombudsman program currently operated by the NYS Justice Center.

SAVE THE DATE OF JUNE 8, 2024 FOR GET OUTDOORS & GET TOGETHER DAY!

Get Outdoors & Get Together Day events will be held at select locations across New York on Saturday, June 8.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks), in partnership with the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and the NYS Department of Veterans’ Services, are hosting free and low-cost events to connect people to nature and provide increased access to the outdoors.

Get Outdoors & Get Together Day will bring people of all abilities, ages, identities, and backgrounds together for fun, healthful activities as part of the state's initiative to broaden the diversity of users and ensure inclusivity of access to state public lands.

Read more >>here<<

Future Planning Guidebook For Older Caregivers of Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD)

New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) https://www.aging.ny.gov

Distributed this helpful guide at the NYS Disability and Aging CoP kickoff meeting:

https://aging.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2023/02/future-planning-guidebook-for-idd.pdf

Brendan’s Blog and the GetWIHDit Facebook group for Self-Advocates

Hello all, 

I'm hoping everyone is enjoying the sunny weather. Last week the video Nichole Hastings and I were in was posted on the OPWDD web site. It was about all the things “I Am!” See links below.

On Wednesday, April 3, I went up to Albany for a rally at the state capital. This rally was for the budget and to advocate for funding and increased pay for our hard-working DSP’s.

While I was there, I spoke to lots of legislators, and met lots of other self-advocates who are very concerned about budget cuts.

Last month, I went to another rally at Letchworth Village in Rockland county, which was also for the budget. I was interviewed by Fox 5 New York. 

It’s important that all of us speak up and most important is to vote in all elections. They need to HEAR OUR VOICES!

The Hear Our Voices group meetings are coming up, Dating and Relationship with Nichole and Claire on April 9^th at 6pm - 7pm and Self-advocating group will be meeting on April 17^th at 6pm to 7pm on zoom. I'm hoping to see everyone at Hear Our Voices group's upcoming meetings on zoom. Always let me know if you have any questions feel free to reach out to me bklein@wihd.org Thank you all! 

Budget rally at the Letchworth Village Rockland Country.

https://youtu.be/xrON_3YBjVo?si=QHrTFcLMZpcXpWsD

DD Proud -- Having pride in yourself or something you've done is an essential part of a happy life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zsbsvTcnx8 

Sharing the message of looking beyond my disability, because there's a lot I have to offer." #LookBeyond

https://youtube.com/shorts/DfPy1ULiAMI?si=GT5E8AsT2QsDy_TQ

March was Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, This video builds on our statewide anti-stigma campaign called “Look Beyond My Developmental Disability....

Leadership Program

September 2024- June 2025.

Our Mission

To help people with developmental disabilities build community, confidence, and leadership skills. LEAD by example, find your VOICE and take ACTION!.

This is the 2nd year Volunteer New York! and Westchester Institute of Human Development (WIHD), are collaborating to offer this 10-month leadership development program for young adults with developmental disabilities. The program provides accommodations for various learning needs in a small group cohort and requires participants to apply and be accepted into the program.

Brendan Klein and Patti Colombo, both graduates of Volunteer New York! Leadership Westchester will co-facilitate the leadership program September 2024- June 2025.

Highlights include interactive LEADERSHIP topics in:

• Goal Setting
• Self-Awareness
• Social Awareness
• Self- Management
• Communication Skills
• Teamwork
• Conflict Resolution
• Building Relationships
• Share & Lead Skill Building
• Capstone Leadership Projec

Sessions will be held once a month, on a weekday, in person, in Westchester.

The program will end with a celebration and graduation ceremony with family and friends.

There is no cost to participate, but it will require a commitment to attend all sessions. Currently accepting referrals and applications, with limited openings.

Deadline to Apply June 30,2024

To Get more information or to APPLY go to

https://www.volunteernewyork.org/RISE or click here

Nichole Hastings was featured in a video posted on the New York Council for Developmental Disabilities. 

https://youtu.be/q1prSv3Lz74?si=u3_HgcwpuKpv0HIU

Statewide Self-Advocacy Conference

Announcing the First Hear Our Voices Self-Advocates Conference to be held on Thursday, May 16th, 2024.

Speakers will all be self-advocates, and will cover many important topics - peer to peer. The conference will be free and virtual on ZOOM events.

Sessions will be scheduled from 10 am -4pm.

>>Register here<<

"Hear Our Voices”

Self Advocacy Group Meeting

Join us for our 2024 conversations about Self- Advocacy

EVERY THIRD WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH VIA ZOOM FROM 6 TO 7 PM

Register Here

WE WANT TO HEAR YOUR VOICE - Become part of the WIHD’s Speaker’s Network!

We are looking for Self-Advocates that are interested in telling their story. Educate others on what matters to you!

If you want to learn more about this project, please email Mariela Adams at madams@wihd.org and just let us know you want to be included.

Can people with intellectual disability go to college? Yes they can!

Think College Awareness Week was April 24-28, 2023 to explore all college options for people with intellectual disability. See link below to watch the recordings and to learn more about the over 300 programs across the country.

Watch the recordings here: https://thinkhighered.net/

Learn more here: www.thinkcollege.net

New York State - Special Education Office

Website of the Office of Special Education Office of the New York State Education Department (NYSED). View

New York State - OPWDD

Website of the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). View

New York State - Self Direction Program

Webpage of theNew York State Office for People with Developmental Disablities (OPWDD) on Self Direction, a way to choose a mix of supports and services that allows you to set up services, providers, staff and schedule that work best for you. View

New York State - ACCES-VR

Website of the New York State Education Department, Adult Career and Continuing Education Services - Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR). View

New York State Ed - Parent Dashboard and Survey

The Parent Dashboard makes information about school performance and other school-level data easier for parents and the public to access and this five-minute survey will help make the dashboard as useful as possible.

Community Support Network: 

Find us on Facebook (@WIHDCmtySupNet), X (@WIHDCmtySuptNet) and Instagram (@WIHD.CSN)!

WIHD Community Support Network - all the groups listed below can be accessed from this page. www.facebook.com/WIHDCmtySuptNet/?epa=SEARCH_BOX

Self Direction Forum for Parents & Providers in Westchester

https://www.facebook.com/groups/selfdforumwestchester

Westchester & Rockland DSP Job Bank

https://www.facebook.com/groups/westchesterrocklanddspjobbank

WIHD CSN Adult LTSS & Residential Ops

https://www.facebook.com/groups/wihd.csn.ltssresidentialops

WIHD CSN SpEd2HSTransition

https://www.facebook.com/groups/wihd.csn.sped2hstransition

WIHD Red de Apoyo Comunitario

https://www.facebook.com/groups/WIHDReddeApoyoComunitario/

About Us  | Contact Us | Privacy Policy