Community Support Network at WIHD
Let Us Help You!
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The help you need is here in one place.
(914) 493-8119
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Question of the Month:
What is BOCES?
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My school district has mentioned that my child might be well-served by attending BOCES. What is BOCES? How do school districts work with BOCES Programs? What programs are provided by BOCES? And how do I determine if that is the best placement for my child?
BOCES is a collaborative of several school districts. In 1948, the New York State legislature created Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) to provide shared educational programs and services to school districts within the state, and today most districts in NYS state (except the “Big Five”: New York City, Buffalo, Rochester, Yonkers, and Syracuse) are covered by a regional BOCES.
BOCES provide intensive special education programs for students from districts who may not have such specialized programs in house, as well as other regional programs open to individuals with and without disabilities. Some BOCES classes exist in public schools throughout the region, in order to provide access to general education. Others may be in special education center-based schools providing more intensive direct explicit instruction and related services. BOCES also provide vocational training, such as carpentry, veterinary tech, electricity, sound production, automotive, etc., among many other career and technical education offerings. These programs are not necessarily specifically designed for students with disabilities, but should provide access to all students as appropriate. You should work with your CSE to determine the program of supports and services that are recommended for your child, and whether a BOCES program might be a fit. Also be sure to visit and participate in any intake meetings that your child may be invited to participate in.
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US Department of Education issued Q/A on serving children with disabilities placed by their parents in private schools.
This document provides guidance regarding the IDEA requirements applicable to children with disabilities placed by their parents in private schools, who are not enrolled in their home school district and for whom the provision of a Free and Appropriate Education is not at issue. This document addresses many questions that are often asked by parents on this topic.
see document here.
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Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities
(LEND Training Program)
Are you a person with a disability, a graduate student in a disability-related field, or a parent/sibling of an individual with intellectual/ developmental disabilities?
Consider applying to the WIHD LEND Programas a trainee for 2022-2023
The WIHD LEND Program is one of 52 LEND Interdisciplinary Leadership Training Programs nationwide funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) of the Federal Government. LEND Program participants graduate with competencies required by family leaders and advocates in the field of developmental disabilities.
LEND Provides
- Two semester training experience (Thursdays 8:45am to 5pm, from September to mid-May)s
- Comprehensive curriculum including:Leadership skills, Neurodevelopmental and other disabilities, Disability policy and advocacy and much more
Applicant Requirements: Demonstrated interest in working with children with disabilities and their families meeting one or more of these criteria:
- Currently enrolled in a master’s program in one of the LEND disciplines at an affiliated university
- A self-advocate
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A family member of a child or adult with a disability who also has a master’s degree or have a bachelor’s degree and can demonstrate training and experience in disability leadership and family advocacy
- Able to participate from 8:45 AM to 5 PM on Thursdays from early September to early May (except for the usual academic holidays) at WIHD in Valhalla, NY
Applications (here) are due by March 31, 2022. Interviews will be conducted in April, and notification of acceptances will be provided by May 6, 2022.
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The NYTimes Hires Disability Reporter
In my role as the inaugural disability reporting fellow for The New York Times,, I aim to shift the way that the news media reports on and writes about disabled people. Some of my work dismantles long-held stigmas and negative attitudes that many people have toward disability — such as the flawed idea that having a disability is inherently bad or is limiting. I’ve never felt that my disability has made me “less”; instead, my disability is an important part of my identity and has given me a different perspective to offer the world - Amanda Morris
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Project Search Applications deadline extended
WIHD/Community Support Network is inviting applications for the Project SEARCH at NY Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital. Program implementation will begin in September 2022. Project SEARCH is a community work-based learning Program designed for individuals with developmental disabilities. Referrals are invited from School Districts for this model program for students in their last year of IDEA eligibility referred by their school districts. Applications for individuals recently exited from school will be reviewed if referred with support from OPWDD or ACCES VR. Deadline for application is extended to March 28, 2022. For further information, please contact Yvette Goorevitch
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June and August 2022 Regents Examinations Will Be Administered
NYSED will be administering the June and August Regent Exams in accordance with the posted examination schedules.
Any questions about the administration of the Regents Examinations should be directed to the Office of State Assessment (OSA) at emscassessinfo@nysed.gov.
All guidance related to the Regents Exams will be available on OSA’s website.
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New Website to Support Families and Education Professionals Regarding Special Education
- The New York State Education Department’s Office of Special Education - Educational Partnership established to support and empower schools and families in improving equity, access, opportunities and outcomes for students with disabilities.
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The Educational Partnership has recently launched a new website (https://osepartnership.org/), intended to be used by the public, including parents and families of students with disabilities, young adults with disabilities and education professionals.
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Paratransit Bill in Albany
We get a lot of questions and hear a lot about the issues individuals and families of adults with IDd face around transportation. While paratransit (add a sentence or two explaining it) is an option for some, it is not available to everyone. Currently, an individual is eligible only if they live within 3/4 mile of a bus line, and for those who life further from a bus route, it is not accessible. There is currently a bill in the NYS Legislature that would increase the mileage to 3 miles, essentially opening access to many. If this is an issue that may impact you or someone close, you should contact your NYS Assemblymember and Senator and make sure they know your concerns. Here's how the link to the Bill Summary
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RESEARCH STUDY
Emotions of Typically Developing (TD) Siblings with a Brother or Sister with Intellectual Disabilities (ID)
a very interesting study focusing on Emotions of Typically Developing Siblings (ages 9-12) with a brother or sister with intellectual disabilities. More information about the study is attached and can be found here: https://www.siblingemotionsproject.com/
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The "Employment Experiences of Autistic Adults Project"
This project at Boston College is looking to recruit autistic adults who meet the following criteria:
· at least 18 years of age
· diagnosed with autism or self-identify as autistic
· currently employed in the United States
· work at least 10 hours per week for pay
The purpose of this project is to learn about what may contribute to the job satisfaction of autistic employees. Our hope is that from these survey responses, we can inform employers and other transition specialists about how to best support autistic adults within employment contexts to promote higher job satisfaction for autistic employees. If this study is of interest, please pass along the information to autistic adults who meet the inclusion criteria described above.
Anyone willing to participate can do so by way of an online survey that will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. Participants can complete the survey with assistance and will have the opportunity to enter their email address for a chance to win 1 of 15 $10 gift cards.
Click here to participate in the anonymous survey.
If you have any additional questions please don’t hesitate to email us at crowlesm@bc.edu.
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Brendan’s Blog and the GetWIHDit
Facebook group for Self-Advocates
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GetWIHDit crew and I have been slowly getting back in person for our weekend events. We still doing some online events for people that live far away from Westchester. Spring is coming we are going to do more outdoor activities like going for nice walk at Kensico Dam in Valhalla NY, starting up the Garden outside of the WIHD building with the child welfare and participating in Park and Community Garden Volunteers. Let's go out and support our community.
Email Brendan bklein@wihd.org if you would like to join the Facebook social groups GetWIHDit.
Brendan Klein
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GetWIHDit is still having social events online and some in person. If you would like more information about GetWIHDit social events email Brendan at bklein@wihd.org.
There was a Hear Our Voices meeting on March 16th at 6pm to 7pm Topic: How to Develop Healthy Relationships, HOV speaker is Kathy O’Connell and she is one of the country’s leading advocates for helping people with disabilities create healthy romantic relationships. Don't miss this special meeting on zoom.
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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.
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2022 CSN Transition Institute |
You can see materials and the recorded sessions at this link
Save the dates for Next year’s conference January 25-27,2023
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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.
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Community Support Network:
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Self Direction Forum for Parents & Providers in Westchester
Westchester & Rockland DSP Job Bank
WIHD CSN Adult LTSS & Residential Ops
WIHD CSN SpEd2HSTransition
WIHD Red de Apoyo Comunitario
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