Please read the following:
ABOUT: Taconic Resources for Independence, Inc. is a community advocacy organization addressing the needs of families of students with disabilities residing in Dutchess County. Our special education advocates can help parents to communicate effectively with their school teams and work collaboratively to ensure an appropriate and equitable public education for their child. Informational workshops are offered throughout the year to share resources and improve parent advocacy skills. Scroll down to see upcoming workshops.
PROCESS: Following a request for special education advocacy services, individuals will be asked to complete a multiple-step intake process to determine the appropriate level of service. These levels are based on eligibility, assessed level of need, risk factors, and available staffing capacity. Due to these factors, special education advocacy is not typically available upon immediate request.
SERVICES: Our goal is to empower parents to become the best advocates they can be for their children. We provide a range of special education advocacy assistance, which can be limited based on staffing capacity. Once families have received a defined scope of support, cases are closed to ensure we can equitably provide services to many families and children throughout our program year, January through December.
Level of services may include:
Level 1: Information and/or referral phone consultation regarding questions about the special education process, educational rights, and available resources
Level 2: Short-term direct in-person/virtual consultation to assist in navigating the special education system and obtaining needed services for a student up to age 22
Level 3: A designated number of service hours to prepare for participation in a Committee on Special Education (CSE)or Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) meeting, Section 504 Accommodation Plan meeting, or other school-related meetings. An advocate may attend a school meeting based on their availability.
Level 4: A designated number of service hours for intensive/extended special education advocacy given the complexity of a special education-related situation, the disability-related needs of a student, and necessary follow-up or additional meetings on the same special education-related situation. An advocate’s attendance at any meeting is based on their availability.
COMPLETION: After receiving the determined level of special education advocacy services, families will be asked to complete a satisfaction survey, and the case will be closed. Cases will also be closed if there has been no contact between parties for 30 days. Families are welcome to request assistance again in the future.
Please contact our SE Administrative Assistants to get started.
Email: SEA@taconicresources.org or
Call: 845-284-9975 or 845-452-3913 x 312
Staff from our special education department will be in contact with you within 7 to 10 business days to provide you with basic information and possible next steps in requesting special education advocacy services. If we are unable to connect with you directly, your request for special education advocacy services will not be processed. Please contact us again. Thank you.
You don’t have to wait to be a Consumer to attend our workshops!
Our workshops are open to the public.
Visit our PEP page for more info
The Special Education Advocates at Taconic Resources for Independence, Inc. (TRI) meet with the parents of students with disabilities to assist them with navigating the school system. Their goal is to determine an appropriate education that meets the child’s needs. The Advocate provides assistance and education with the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan, and develops a TRI Independent Living Plan to help the parents become self-advocates so their child will stay in school and reach their educational goals.
TRI offers a Special Education Rights Workshop, which contains the following content: parents’ and students’ rights, the school district’s responsibilities, how to receive services for a child, the Committee on Special Education (CSE) process, eligibility for special education services, and what actions to take if you disagree. This workshop is offered weekly during the school year and is scheduled at libraries throughout Dutchess County.
Other workshops we periodically offer are: Common Core, Individualized Education Plans, Understanding Evaluation Testing, and Transitioning to Adult Services.
TRI’s Special Education Advocacy program is funded by Adult Career Continuing Education Services – Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR), Office of Persons with Developmental Disabilities – Family Support Service (OPWDD-FSS), and Dutchess County Department of Behavioral and Community Health (DCFS). We must inform our parents whose child is utilizing Self-Direction and is willing to receive Special Education Advocacy services to allocate specific funds in the child’s Self-Direction budget. If you have any questions, one of the Special Education Advocates will be happy to sit down with you to answer any questions.
TRI Special Education Program Handouts:
- TRI Special Education Brochure (English)
- TRI Special Education Brochure (Spanish)
- TRI PEP Brochure (English)
- TRI PEP Brochure (Spanish)
- Back to School Tip Sheet (English)
- OPWDD – Region 3 –Family Support Services Program List (English) (Spanish)
Parent Empowerment Program (PEP)
Visit the PEP page to learn more!
Dutchess County Resources
- Think Differently
Think Differently - Dutchess County All Abilities Program Director
Dutchess County All Abilities Program Director - Helping Our Children Guide
Helping Our Children Guide
New York State Resources
- ACCES-VR Adult Career & Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation Services serving Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Sullivan and Ulster ACCES-VR Adult Career & Continuing Education Services – Vocational Rehabilitation Services
- NYS Education Department Special Education
NYS Education Department – Special Education - NYSED Special Education Law Regulations
NYSED Special Education Law Regulations - NYS Special Education approved private schools in the Hudson Valley
New York State Special Education Approved Private Schools in the Hudson Valley| - NYS Office of Children and Family Services NYS Office of Children and Family Services
- NYS Office of Mental Health NYS Office of Mental Health
- NYS Special Education Task Force NYS Special Education Task Force
- Parent to Parent of NYS Parent to Parent of NYS
Federal Resources
Website Resources for Parents of Children with disabilities
- Understood
Understood - Learning Disabilities Online – Educators Guide to Learning Disabilities/ADHD
Learning Disabilities Online - Learning Ally
Learning Ally - Center for Parent Information and Resources
Center for Parent Education and Resources Center - PACER Center
PACER Center
Website Resources for Preparing Students with Disabilities for College
- How Students with Disabilities can Prepare for College
How Students with Disabilities can Prepare for College - National Center on Secondary Education & Transition
National Center on Secondary Education & Transition - Think Ahead Program at Dutchess Community College for Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Think Ahead Program at Dutchess Community College for Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities - Think College
Think College
Website Resources for Hiring People with Disabilities
- Neurodiversity Career Connector Neurodiversity Career Connector
*March 21, 2020 Supplemental Fact Sheet Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Preschool, Elementary and Secondary Schools While Serving Children with Disabilities.
Click to download the Supplemental Fact Sheet Handout
Link to Individuals with Disabilities Education Act fact sheet and website.