April 3, 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.
Fri., April 4, 2025: NYAIL Webinar Series 2025: Virtual Disability Town Hall with Senator Chuck Schumer: There will also be Medicaid advocates and experts. Learn about the latest Medicaid developments in Washington. This will also cover the financial and human impacts of proposed Medicaid cuts, answer question and tell you how to take action.
Fri., April 4, 2025: April Autism Acceptance Family Engagement Forum: An event dedicated to supporting families and professionals working with children and youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This forum will feature expert discussions, valuable resources, and guidance on accessing autism-related services. (Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) Program)
Sat., April 5, 2025: Youth Abilities Fair: A Special Needs Resource Fair: Suffolk County. Includes a sensory room and magic show. Address: Middle Country Public Libraries, Eastwood Blvd., Centereach, N.Y. Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (In partnership with Middle Country SEPTA)
Tues., April 8, Wed., April 9 and Thurs., April 10, 2025: Monthly Decision Making Series Workshop #1: Supported Decision-Making (SDM), Guardianship, and other Alternatives: A three-workshop series that will present instruments and methods used to support loved ones with disabilities in making choices as they approach the age of adulthood. (WIHD CSN Adult Benefits Navigation Specialists)
Tues., April 8, 2025: NYS Autism Spectrum Disorders Advisory Board Public Meeting: Virtual or in-person attendance. The Autism Spectrum Disorders Advisory Board was created in November of 2016 to help provide guidance and information to New York policymakers, individuals with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis (ASD), and families seeking reliable information regarding available services and supports.
Tues., April 8, 2025: Student Involvement in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) for Families (FACE and NYSED OSE Partnership)
Wed., April 9, 2025: Public Meeting of the Developmental Disabilities Advisory Council: Attend virtually by checking out the link. In-person meetings held at: Albany’s Empire State Plaza, Meeting Room 7; 25 Beaver St., OPWDD, 3rd Floor, Room 3K11, NYC (Please bring a state issued photo ID. (The Boost note: Hmm, interesting); 415A Oser Ave. Hauppauge; 187 Northern Concourse, Conference Room B, Syracuse; 1021 Broadway, Room 433, Buffalo.
Wed., April 9, 2025: Resource & Transition Fair Plainview-Old Beth Page Central School District:Information and resources of interest for families of students with disabilities of all ages. Time: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Address: Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School, 50 Kennedy Dr., Plainview, NY 11803. For more info contact: Christina Karayiannis at ckarayiannis@POBschools.org.
Thurs., April 10, 2025: Planning Timeline for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) from Middle High School to Post-Secondary Outcomes (AHRC NY)
Thurs., April 10, 2025: Free Resource and Transition Fair in West Nyack: For students of all ages with an IEP or 504 Plan, families, & professionals. (Rockland Transition Consortium)
Thurs., April 10, 2025: Virtual Lunchtime Discussion -Navigating the System OPWDD Eligibility & Services (Mid Island Y JCC/ Adler Center)
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: 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.
Fri., April 25, 2025: Disability Mayoral Forum and discussion with candidates on accessibility and inclusion of NYC (CIDNY)
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.S
Stock photo: Sen. Chuck Schumer will attend April 4’s NYAIL Webinar Series 2025: Virtual Disability Town Hall.