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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.

Thinking of what to do this summer with your kids?

Checking out your local libraries is one way to find many activities for your kids.

Here is a link to Westchester Library System that has all the Libraries listed.

• Westchester Library System
• Find Your Public Library in New York State

Another great resource of activities is 

New York Family: Your Ultimate Guide to Family Life in NY

Discover NYC's best for families with New York Family. From events to parenting tips, we're your go-to guide for city life with kids. Here you will find many places, activities and supports that are happening near you, from free movie nights to where to see fireworks and what's happening on the weekends, which camps to send your kids too, etc. 

This is a great resource for families to see what is happening around their communities and surrounding communities. Sign up for emails with your zip code for your area to get weekly events in your area.

NYSED: Graduation Measures Update

The New York State Education Department recently provided a summary of the work of the Blue Ribbon Commission of Graduation Measures

• The update on the Graduation Measures Initiative provided at the June 10 Board of Regents Meeting demonstrates the New York State Education Department’s commitment to transforming education to meet the expectations voiced by stakeholders and the challenges of the 21st century.
• During the meeting, Department staff shared four key transformations that establish the proposed vision for implementing the Blue Ribbon Commission on Graduation Measures recommendations. The four proposed transformations include: adopting the New York State portrait of a graduate, redefining credits, sunsetting diploma assessment requirements, and moving to one diploma.
• In an effort to continue gathering stakeholder feedback, the Department encourages you to share your thoughts on these four proposed transformations by participating in the current ThoughtExchange.
• Additional information, including frequently asked questions related to the New York State Graduation Measures Initiative may be referenced on the Graduation Measures Webpage.
• At this time, no changes to the current diploma requirements have been approved by the Board of Regents. The current credit and assessment requirements remain in effect for all high school students. Guidance related to the current diploma requirements can be found on the Department’s Graduation Requirements webpage.
• Questions related to the New York State Graduation Measures initiative may be referred to GradMeasures@nysed.gov.

Heath Education Study for people with I/DD

About STEPS2: 

The CUNY School of Public Health is running an NIH-funded OPWDD-endorsed health education study for young people in New York State ages 16-27 with intellectual/developmental disabilities. The study will provide hour-long weekly health lessons for six weeks via Zoom. Participants will complete surveys for a total of $100 in gift cards. If you have any questions about STEPS2, please email steps2@sph.cuny.edu. 

Fill out this form to have a member of the STEPS2 team reach out to share more information.

Learn more about STEPS at https://cunyisph.org/steps2-study/ 

NYS Council on Developmental Disablities announces 2nd Annual Advocacy Institute

The CDD, in collaboration with the New York Alliance for Inclusion & Innovation and The Arc New York, is pleased to announce its 2nd Annual Advocacy Institute scheduled for Thursday, September 19, 2024!

Do you know an individual with developmental disabilities who is new to advocacy and wants to learn more about what being an advocate means and how to be an effective advocate? The application period opened this afternoon, with a June 30th deadline. Please share the 2024 Advocacy Institute announcement link and application link widely with your networks.

2024 Advocacy Institute Announcement:

2024 Advocacy Institute Application: 

Please contact CDD staff member Jenn Goldman with any questions

Family Stakeholder meetings, with OPWDD.

Family members from WIHD and approximately 20 other organizations speak to OPWDD every two months about topical issues. Those on these committees think of questions, present those to opwdd in an agenda, and then receive responses.

The attached document was prepared by a committee volunteer to the best of their ability.

See attached notes here

OPWDD WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU! 

OPWDD is excited to announce the statewide schedule for our 2024 Strategic Planning Forums. 

The forums will focus on providing you with a brief update on the work on the 2023 – 2027 OPWDD Strategic Plan and on hearing your feedback. This year they have added a question-and-answer period where the OPWDD team will answer questions pre-submitted by participants and, as in past years, we'll end with a public comment period where you can share your thoughts with OPWDD leadership and staff.  

To join us at a forum visit the OPWDD website where you can register, submit questions, and sign up for public comment. They want to hear from people with developmental disabilities, families, caregivers, providers, Direct Support Professionals, Care Coordination Organizations, and anyone else who interacts with the OPWDD service delivery system. It is necessary to pre-submit your question if you would like to have it answered at the forum. Although signing up for public comment in advance is not required, it is encouraged as we will start each public comment forum with those who have signed up and only go to the audience if there is time. 

If you’re not able to join in person, there are two scheduled virtual forums at the end of July.  

>>Register here<<

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

I'm hoping you are all enjoying the sunny weather. I would like to share with you all that Hear Our Voices had a successful first 2024 Statewide Conference on zoom on May 16th.

We had great sessions and many real speakers with disabilities Just Like You! 

Our sessions included,

- Employment

- Non-Speaking Voice Panel

- Nourishing Yourself

- Think College Panel

- Project SEARCH

- Keynote: Tell your story to be a change agent

- Voting

- Supported Decision Making Panel

I want to first say a Big THANK YOU to all the speakers, presenters and panelists that participated in our conference. You all are rockstars!

I want to say Thank you to our Hear Our Voices team members, Mariela Adams, Nichole Hastings, Claire Polin, and Mo Kikoler for their hard work putting together the conference. Can’t have this conference without my TEAM! We are looking forward to next year conference.

A special Thank you to Lucille, Janet and Marleigh for all behind the scenes work, which would not have gone smoothly without their help.

If you missed the conference, you can watch some of the sessions recorded on this link Lobby | Zoom Events Platform 

There will be a Hear Our Voices group meeting on Wednesday, June 19th 2024, 6pm - 7pm on zoom. Join us for a conversation about LGBTQ with our HOV team member Mo Kikoler.

There will be a Scavenger Speed Dating on June 29^th if you are interested, you can email me bklein@wihd.org so I can send you more information and speed dating application to fill out before June 29th. 

Come Join the GetWIHDit crew fun events like Friday's online game nights on zoom, Saturdays Movies nights, Dave & Busters or bowling. Sundays Kenscio Dam walk or gardening at the Pleasantville community garden. Let me know if you are intersted and I will send you more information about my groups. Thank you all!

 The Hear Our Voices logo. Two people standing together while advocating for their needs and rights as people with disabilities. Text reads "Hear Our Voices! WIHD.org.

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

"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/

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