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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

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Monthly Parent Empowerment Program Meeting/ Support Group

Join Us for Support and Community!

* Upcoming workshop December 10th *

What is the Special Education Parent Empowerment Program (PEP)?
PEP is a new addition to Taconic Resources for Independence, Inc. (TRI). PEP 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.

Who We Are:
A supportive community for parents of individuals and children with disabilities, offering understanding, resources, and a safe space to share experiences.

What We Offer:

  • Monthly Meetings: Connect with other parents who are navigating similar challenges.
  • Expert Speakers: Insights from professionals in disability services, education, and healthcare.
  • Resource Sharing: Access to valuable information, support services, and advocacy tools.
  • Confidential Environment: A safe and non-judgmental space to share your journey and listen to others.

Topics for Discussion:

  • Understanding and navigating IEPs and 504 plans:
  • Managing medical and therapeutic needs
  • Strategies for inclusive education and socialization
  • Emotional well-being for parents and children
  • Advocacy and rights for individuals with disabilities

Workshop Coordinators:
– Jennifer O’Neill, Senior Special Education Advocate, TRI j.oneill@taconicresources.org 845-745-8097 mobile phone.
– Patricia Lucio-Penn, Special Education Advocate -Bilingual Spanish, TRI 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.

Upcoming Meetings:
Morning Session only
Tuesday, December 10th
*9:30 am – Click HERE to register in advance.

(Requests for American Sign-Language interpreters must be submitted by December 2nd, Email j.kreitzer@taconicresources.org

PEP flyer for December 2024
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Consumer COAT Drive 2024

Winter Coat Drive for TRI Consumers only. RSVP by October 30th. One submission form per household. Coats are provided by Dutchess Outreach's Susan Dekeukelaere Memorial Coat Drive.

Dutchess Outreach has other locations throughout Dutchess County where you can obtain a free coat for you and your family. Click HERE for current locations throughout Dutchess County, or visit the Dutchess Outreach website for more information.

We are collecting coats for TRI Consumers ONLY. After you have submitted the request form (one per household), we will contact you when the coats are available for pickup.

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Safe & Accessible Transporation for Students with Special Needs

Monday, October 28, 2024 (9:30-11 am) & (7:00-8:30 pm) Zoom meeting. Presented by: Mid-Hudson Special Education Task Force.
Please choose one session only. Each LIVE session will use the same material. The event is free of charge, but registration is required. This event will be recorded. For a copy of the flyer click here.

Join us for a virtual informative workshop on ensuring safety and accessibility for students with special needs on school buses. Learn about the essential rights, safety measures, and best practices that every parent and caregiver should know.

Topics Include:

  • Understanding transportation rights for students with disabilities
  • How to advocate for safe, inclusive, and equitable transportation options
  • Best practices for working with school districts and CSE/CPSE on transportation needs,
  • support and accommodations

Speakers:
– Jennifer O’Neill, Parent, Community Organizer, SETF Member and Senior Special Education Advocate with Taconic Resources for Independence, Inc.
– Fiona Rattray, SETF Member and Parent Training & Information Center Specialist with Putnam Independent Living Services (PILS)

All SETF trainings will have closed captioning. ASL interpreters are available upon request. Need additional information or any accommodations? Contact Nancy Nowak at Disability Rights New York: Nancy.Nowak@drny.org or 516.238.1261

To register: 9:30 AM session Click HERE
OR
To register: 7 PM session Click HERE

Copy of the PDF flyer click here.

Websites: NY Special Ed Task Force, Disability Rights New York

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Disability Film Club

Featuring FREE movies and documentaries on a range of disability subjects. Visit: https://www.nps.gov/hofr/learn/disability-film-club.htm to register!

The Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site,
Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum
and Taconic Resources for Independence, Inc.
present a Disability Film Club screening of the Netflix documentary:
Crip Camp (2020) 
Thursday, January 16th 2025
Time: TBA.
Henry A. Wallace Center at the
FDR Presidential Library and Home

For more information and the 1st Press Release CLICK HERE.

movie poster, CRIP CAMP: A DISABILITY REVOLUTION. Nefliz documentary.