April 10, 2025
The Boost News
Be sure to visit links for more information and, where applicable, to register. If you’d like to share your event or activity on The Boost, please contact us here. It would be great to have more activities around the state.
For a full list of organizations offering webinars in New York, check out Your One-Stop Guide to Navigating I/DD System and Services via Webinars & Workshops.
All are free unless otherwise noted.
Applications are open for Westchester Institute of Human Development (WIHD)’s LEND program
LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities) is an interdisciplinary leadership training program on Thursdays from early September to early May.
It’s funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau of the federal government at 52 sites around the country.
The LEND Program at WIHD is for two semesters. LEND trainees include graduate students and post-doctoral fellows; self-advocates; and family members of children and adults with disabilities. Trainees develop knowledge and skills they will need to become leaders working with and on behalf of children with disabilities and other special health care needs, and their families, to improve health outcomes and decrease disparities.
Tues., April 15, 2025: Special Education Training: Tools to empower you at every step of navigating the special education system. (New York Lawyers for the Public Interest)
Tues., April 15, 2025: Considering Residential Placement: For families with children and adults of all ages who are considering placement in a residential school or a group home. Must register in advance to attend. (Parent to Parent of NYS)
Tues., April 15, 2025: Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) Services and Eligibility: (WIHD CSN Adult Benefits Navigation Specialists)
Wed., April 16, 2025: Self-Direction for the Long Haul: How to navigate the changing needs of individuals with complex support needs as they experience accelerated aging, including maintaining fidelity of staff training, sustaining relationship networks, and assuring engagement in meaningful activities while aging in place. (Part of the 2025 National Self-Direction Conference: Virtual Series.)
Thurs., April 17, 2025: Autism Myths and Misconceptions: Will cover topics including how the ways we talk about autism can hurt or help autistic people; how some autistic people are left out of people’s ideas about autism; some of the wrong things people believe about autism.
Thurs., April 17, 2025: Parent To Parent NYS-BIPOC Group: For Black, Indigenous, Persons of Color (BIPOC) and parents or caretakers of a loved one with special needs 21 years old and under. Come together as a group to learn, share experiences, resources and empower each other in a safe and confidential space.
Fri., April 25, 2025: Disability Mayoral Forum and discussion with candidates on accessibility and inclusion of NYC (CIDNY)
Thurs., May 1, 2025: Buffalo OPWDD Open House: Learn about developmental disability services, connect and network. Where: OPWDD, 1021 Broadway St., Buffalo. Time: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. If reasonable accommodations are needed call 718-517-2010.
Thurs., May 15, 2025: 37th Annual Family Support Conference – Bronx Developmental Disabilities Council Inc. Space is limited, pre-registration is required. First come, first served. No “at the door/on-site” registration.
Wed., June 18, 2025: Brooklyn Developmental Disability Council Family Support Fair: Meet nearly 70 agencies that offer support to people with intellectual and developmentally disabled in Brooklyn.
Stock photo: Attend the Parent to Parent BIPOC group. (Credit: Unsplash.com)