The New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) is required to perform a conflict-free comprehensive needs assessment for people receiving OPWDD services. The Coordinated Assessment System (CAS), according to OPWDD, “is the comprehensive assessment that OPWDD uses for people 18 years or older to identify their strengths, needs and interests. The CAS provides information used in person-centered planning for the person’s care. Understanding of what kinds of support each person needs is the foundation of an equitable service system that focuses on providing the right amount and type of support, in the right way, to each person.”
This webinar from NYC Fair features Albert Pruett, director, Bureau of Assessment Oversight and Coordination at OPWDD. It will cover what you need to know about a CAS and how to prepare for one. Plus, you can ask your questions.
Details
When: Wed., Sept. 18, 2024
Time: 7. p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
This free webinar is for those thinking about living independently or are supporting someone on their housing journey.
Transition stipends are a service available through the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) for people who are seeking to live independently. They are a critical service to fund the basic and necessary costs for moving and establishing a home, such as furniture, linens, kitchenware, security deposits and moving costs.
This presentation will provide an opportunity to hear directly from content experts representing each region of New York State who support people to access these funds as they move and set up their home.
Presented by: Kim Rinehart, Arc of Monroe; Tammy Fuda, AIM Services; Jennifer Teich, AHRC NYC; and Jeanne Johnson, ISS. The facilitator is Seth Greenman of the NY Housing Resource Center.
Details
When: Wed., Sept. 25, 2024
Time: 10 a.m.
Register here
Do you have or know someone with a developmental disability looking for a fun relationship in Westchester County? This Speed Dating event might be just the ticket.
The goal of the event is to meet someone the participant wants to see again! It will start with the “traditional” speed-dating format of moving table to table for one-on-one talking, and then the group will get together for a scavenger hunt.
There will be pizza, light beverages, chips and dessert.
The evening is for people who are 21 or over and identify as heterosexual.
Details
When: Saturday, July 27, 2024
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: 42 Memorial Plaza, Pleasantville, N.Y., 10570 (next to Starbucks)
Fee: $20.00
Application: Participants must fill out an application. You can email Brendan Klein at Bklein@wihd.org to get one!
The literacy program Sensory Story Time is designed for young children on the autism spectrum as well as any child who may have difficulty with large groups.
There will be songs, interactive stories, rhymes and movement followed by activity stations with sensory material. A visual schedule will be used to help with transitions.
Details
When: Aug. 2, 2024
Time: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Maria Lin Kim via Unsplash
Join this virtual discussion on program options and considerations for young adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities who are not going to college. Participants can ask any questions they may have including the eligibility process for services through the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and other state service systems, the types of programs and support services available, as well as things to consider when selecting or visiting adult community-based programs.
Organizer is the WIHD Community Support Network.
Details
When: Tuesday, June 11, 2024
Time: 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Hear our Voices, part of the Community Support Network at Westchester Institute for Human Development (WIHD), offers educational programming exploring relevant topics for self-advocates. It meets via Zoom the third Wednesday of each month. Anyone in New York State with a developmental disability is welcome to attend regardless of having attended prior meetings.
Details
When: Wednesday, June 19, 2024
Time: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
ADAPT Community Network, a nonprofit serving New York City, is hosting a free webinar open to all New York families who have children with emotional and behavioral issues as well as a developmental disability.
The speaker will be Gary Shulman, who has decades of experience assisting families with children, teens and adults with developmental disabilities. Most recently, Schulman served as a private Special Needs Consultant, but he has also held the position of Special Needs and Early Childhood Coordinator for the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, and Social Services and Training Director for Resources for Children with special Needs Inc., in New York City.
Details
When: Thursday, June 20, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Spanish and Mandarin interpretation will be provided.
Are you a parent navigating the challenges and joys of raising a child with disabilities? The “Life Planning Summit for Parents of a Child with a Disability” might be for you.
The summit is being organized by James Lange, author of Retire Secure. And don’t worry about it being a three-day event: You can pick and choose what you want to attend. You’ll find the schedule of events and speakers as well as all other information here.
Here’s what the summit offers:
Details
When: Tuesday, June 18, Wednesday June 19 and Thursday, June 20, 2024
Time: Approximately 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Looking for a night out that doesn’t come hand in hand with worrying about who’s watching the kids?
South East Consortium and Breakthrough Fit Co., are linking up for a Mom’s Night Out for those with children with developmental disabilities. While moms enjoy yoga, children are welcome upstairs for a night of fun activities and pizza.
All moms welcome, you don’t have be in the South East Consortium community.
Details
When: Friday, June 14, 2024
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Breakthrough Fit, 251 S. Central Ave., Hartsdale, NY 10530 USA
Cost: $45
Ready for a bloody good time? This zombie movie, created by YAI’s Tarrytown Dab Hab by Studio 305, screens at the Bedford Playhouse and is sure to be a blast.
Read the plot summary of Shh…They’re Coming! — if you dare: “Immediately after surviving the global 2019 novel Coronavirus the World Health Organization will soon be faced with a new emerging infection. After hearing the announcement from the CDC on the radio, Chris makes it his duty to warn a few staff members and peers at his YAI Day habilitation program in hopes to raise their level of awareness before it’s too late. But much like COVID-19; everyone said ‘it would never happen… until it did.'”
Below is a making-of video that’s a lot of fun to watch.
Details
When: Monday, June 17, 2024
Time: 7 p.m.
Get tickets here. (Last I heard, they were going fast.)