Category: advocacy updates

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Mental Health & Youth with Disabilities

Caregivers, educators, family, friends… all are welcome to this workshop discussion presented by Josh Garay, PEP Coordinator- May 19th, 6 pm to 8 pm at the Dover Plains Library on having conversations about mental health with youth who have disabilities. Adults can participate in the workshop while their youth are in another space at the Library, enjoying a variety of activity and inactivity options. Dinner/ snack will be available too!

See the flyer below for a detailed description and/or call the Library if you have questions, or if you would like to arrange a time to visit the Library when it is quiet so that the spaces are more familiar on the day of the workshop. 845-832-6605 or email Amy at director@doverplainslibrary.org

Visit the library’s website to register by clicking HERE.

Mental Health and Youths with disabilities flyer

Click the flyer for a PDF copy

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advocacy updates events events list Media

Student Suspensions in Special Education

Do you know your rights?

Click HERE to register for the next workshop: Thursday, May 1st from 6:30pm to 7:30pm.

For a PDF copy of the flyer, click HERE.

Students with disabilities are suspended at a disproportionately higher rate than their non-disabled peers. Recent NYS data shows that for all students with disabilities, 1 in 10 will face at least one suspension over the course of their education. Do you know what steps to take if your child is faced with the possibility of suspension?

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Updates to OPWDD & HCBS Waiver Process & Eligibility

Virtual Session: Wednesday, April 30th @ 9:30AM

Special Education Advocacy Program
Support • Connect • Grow

Join Us for Information Support and Community!

Taconic Resources for Independence, Inc. (TRI) Special Education Advocacy Program provides training and information to families of children and young adults with disabilities, between the ages of 3 and 22. TRI’s Special Education program offers specialized and collaborative advocacy training, parent-to-parent networking and support, information, and referral services.

UNDERSTANDING UPDATES TO OFFICE FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (OPWDD) HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES (HCBS) WAIVER PROCESS AND ELIGIBILITY

Virtual Session Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at 9:30 AM
CLICK HERE to Register in advance for the Zoom Information Meeting
*Requests for Spanish or American Sign-Language interpreters must be submitted by Monday, April 21st. Email B.Burgoa@taconicresources.org

Topics for Discussion:
• Understanding OPWDD eligibility and updates
• Accessing services and supports
• Transition services and Self-direction process
• Advocacy and rights for individuals with disabilities

Presenter:
Christopher M. Knight, Waiver Enrollment Coordinator,
NYS Office Of People with Developmental Disabilities

Workshop Facilitators:
– Jennifer O’Neill, Senior Special Education Advocate J.Oneill@taconicresources.org 845-745-8097 mobile phone
– Patricia Lucio-Penn, Special Education Advocate -Bilingual Spanish P.Lucio-Penn@taconicresources.org 845-745-8057 mobile phone

TRI’s Special Education Advocacy Services are paid for in part by Dutchess County, NYSED ACCES-VR, and NYS OPWDD Family Support Services.

Understanding Updates to OPWDD and the HCBS Waiver Process and Eligibility, April 30th 930am-10:30am. Click the image to read the PDF
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advocacy updates events events list Featured Posts Media

Applying for Social Security Disability Programs

Monthly
Virtual and In-Person Workshops

3:00 PM to 4:30 PM

Zoom: Every 2nd Tuesday or In Person: 4th Tuesday

Virtual Workshop Dates: – April 8th Canceled | – May 13th | – June 10th

In-Person Workshop Dates: – April 24th Canceled | – May 27th | – June 24th

You must attend a workshop before scheduling a one-on-one appointment with our Benefits Counselor. These workshops provide a basic understanding of the application process and will equip you with the knowledge and essential skills to be confident and apply independently.

All community members are welcome to attend the virtual workshop.

For in-person workshops it’s “first come, first served”, there is limited seating available. Wearing proper facemasks is still encouraged but not required.

Accommodations (ASL, presentation shared in large print, etc.) Please request any accommodations at least two weeks in advance.

To register for our in-person workshop please complete a HIPAA registration form, CLICK HERE to RSVP; or you may call the front desk. There will be no walk-ins.

When you call, please tell us if you are attending as a…

  • A person applying for yourself, and let us know if you are in need of accommodations.
  • Friend or family member.
  • Human Services Professional.

If there are any changes to the workshop, including cancellation we will contact you. If you can’t attend a workshop you’ve signed up for, please let us know by calling the front desk: at 845-452-3913.

Applying for SSI and/or SSDI flyer, click for the PDF
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Family Empowerment Advocacy Series

“I WISH I HAD KNOWN THIS SOONER”

Understanding Your Child’s Rights & Responsibilities Under Special Education Law

CLICK HERE for a *printable copy of the flyer

Parents and family members, join us for this FREE in-depth training to learn about your child’s rights, the special education process, and how to effectively advocate for your child and other children. Topics include: Educational Records Binder, Advocacy & Effective Communication, Levels of Intervention & the Continuum of Services, NYS Rules & Regulations, All About the IEP, Understanding Evaluations, Services & Accommodations, Assistive Technology, Transition, Come Ask the Advocate Q&A session and much, much more.

Zoom Training (Wednesdays)
January 8th, 2025
January 15th, 2025
January 22nd, 2025
January 29th, 2025
February 5th, 2025
February 12th, 2025
You may register for morning, evening, or both
Morning: 9:30AM – 12:30PM
Evening: 6:00PM – 9:00PM

For questions, contact dgreen@putnamils.org or frattray@putnamils.org

Guest Speakers:
Renee Falanga-Brenner, Resource Center for Assisted Living
Jennifer O’Neill, Taconic Resources for Independence
Patricia Lucio-Penn, Taconic Resources for Independence
Diane Troeller, My Independent Living
Melinda Dolezal, TRAID Center
Adrienne Arkontaky, Esq., The Arkontaky Law Group
Sandi Rosenbaum, Littman Krooks LLP
Gideon Porter, Esq., Barger & Gaines LLP
Speakers & Facilitators from WILC/PILS:
Denise Green, Parent Training Information Coordinator
Fiona Rattray, Parent Training & Information Specialist