Category: updates

Family Empowerment Advocacy Series

Post date December 17, 2024
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“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

Post date December 1, 2024
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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

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PEP’s 17A Guardianship Workshop

Post date June 20, 2024
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Tuesday, June 25th 2024:
Click HERE to register 9:30 AM Zoom meeting session,
Click HERE to register 6:00 PM Zoom meeting session.

Please join us for our Free Online 17A Guardianship Workshop.
Arshi Pal, Esq. of Littman Krooks LLP will discuss the 17A guardianship process and will include alternative options. Arshi will guide you through the guardianship process and planning for the future of a child with special needs. The topics of focus are 17A Guardianships and how to meet the health, legal, and financial needs of children with disabilities, alternatives to guardianship, and ways of planning for a loved one’s future needs.

Presenter: Arshi Pal, Esq. Littman Krooks L.L.P.
TRI Workshop Facilitators: Jennifer O’Neill, Senior Special Education Advocate, and Patricia Lucio-Penn, Special Education Advocate –
Bilingual Spanish

Parent Empowerment Program

What is the Special Education Parent Empowerment Program?

Parent Empowerment Program (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.

Click the picture below for a copy of the PDF flyer

Flyer for the Special Education PEP Guardianship Workshop June 25th

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TRI Inclusion Festival 2024

Post date February 29, 2024

JOIN US! Friday, June 28th from 11 am until 3 pm
Celebrate disability pride and culture at our 3rd annual TRI Inclusion Festival! Click HERE for a copy of the accessible Program.

The Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site & The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum at the Henry A. Wallace Visitor and Education Center is in partnership with TRI to host an exciting event featuring an array of accessible, engaging, and fun activities inside the Wallace Center of the Home of FDR National Historic Site: 4097 Albany Post Rd., Hyde Park, NY.

Click on the images below for a copy of the displayed PDF flyer.

updated 3rd Annual TRI Inclusion Festival 2024 flyer - list of activities and presentations

An image of 4 people and text that says '-3rd Annual TRI INCLUSION FESTIVAL 2024 In partnership with the Home Franklin Roosevelt National Historic Site & The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Libraru and Museum at the Henry Wallace Visitor and Education Center. THE STATE OF DISABILITY INCLUSION IN DUTCHESS COUNTY, featuring JOEL GRIFFITH, MAYOR OF TIVOLI. PETER A. CIRILLO, PCIRILLO ARCHITECTS P.C., JESSICA SCHOLES, DISABILTY RIGHTS NEW YORK ATTORNEY, and JONATHAN GREENWALD, DISABILTY RIGHTS NEW YORK ATTORNEY. TOGETHER with DUTCHESS DISABILITY ADVOCACY PARTNERSHIP (DAPP). Join us FRIDAY, JUNE 28 11AM-3PM

Instagram Post for 3rd annual inclusion festival, "Join us and Susannah Grange Owner of Hudson River Yoga.
She’ll be instructing morning/afternoon Yoga sessions at our 3rd Annual TRI Inclusion Festival celebrating disability pride and culture!"

Did You Know? Each color on the Disability Pride Flag represents a different disability. The parallel stripes stand for intercommunal solidarity. The colors on the flag are disability experiences. The black background (lower left/upper right corners) mourns disabled people who died due to negligence, suicide, rebellion, illness, and eugenics. Red represents physical disabilities, Gold represents cognitive & intellectual disabilities, the White represents the nonvisabile & undiagnosed, the Blue represents psychiatric and the Green represents sensory disabilities. Are you surprised by all the symbolism that this flag holds?

Instagram post flyer for 3rd annual TRI Inclusion Festival- "Join us and Keynote Speaker John P. Herrion, Acting General Counsel for the New York State Division of Human Rights at the 3rd Annual TRI Inclusion Festival celebrating disability pride and culture!"

3rd Annual TRI Inclusion Fesitval 2024 in Blue patch above green park like setting with trees

TRI Sponsors

Thank You for sponsoring our
3rd Annual
TRI Inclusion Festival!

JOY SPONSORS

A yellow oval with the words Fit & Fun Playscapes in primary colors with stars, dots and squiggly lines

KINDNESS SPONSOR

ENTHUSIASM SPONSORS

AWARENESS SPONSORS

Yellow box with black stripes at top and bottom Kelly's Bakery

A red outlined barn house with a chimney and the letters CKP with the words Country Kids Popcorn under the letters

Black square with two circles Rossi & Sons Clover St Rosticceria 1979

PARTNERSHIP SPONSORS

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A RESOURCE GUIDE FOR ELECTION 2024: DUTCHESS COUNTY EXECUTIVE CANDIDATES’ PROPOSED POLICIES ON ISSUES AFFECTING THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY

Post date October 13, 2023

What Difference Does One Vote Make?

A RESOURCE GUIDE: This is a resource guide for anyone who seeks information on key issues affecting the entire disability community. The proposed policies of candidates for the County Executive for Dutchess County on these issues are listed. If content for a particular candidate appears brief or lacking, it is in no way a reflection on Taconic Resources for Independence, Inc. (TRI).