April 17, 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.
Wed., April 23, 2025: Behind the Curtain: Understanding State Administration of Self-Direction: This session offers an inside look at how states administer self-direction programs. (Applied Self-Direction)
Thurs., April 24, 2025, Thurs., May 22, 2025, Thurs., June 26, 2025: Positive Solutions for Families (Series): Three sessions (out of four) remain in this series; attending all was optional, but encouraged. April 24 is Behavior Has Meaning & the Power of Routine, May 22 is Teach Me What to Do & Responding with Purpose, and June 26 is Putting It All Together with a Plan. (FACE Center and NYSED OSE Partnership)
Fri., April 25, 2025: Disability Mayoral Forum and discussion with candidates on accessibility and inclusion of NYC (CIDNY)
Fri., April 25, 2025: Agency 101 – Connecting Individuals with Disabilities to Adult Services: Identifying State and community-based agencies that may be able to provide services to young adults with disabilities is a critical component of transition planning for life after high school. This session will offer a broad overview of several core disability service systems. (FACE Center, NYSED OSE Partnership, LHRPC and Yonkers City School District)
Mon., April 28, 2025: Redefining Consequence: Considerations and Strategies for Effectively Addressing Challenging Behaviors Demonstrated by Students with Disabilities: Learn how the many conventional ways of responding to difficult behavior often contributes to the persistence of such behavior; particularly when applied to students with disabilities and neurodivergence (e.g., Autism, ADHD). Practical evidence-based strategies will be offered. (The Lower Hudson Special Education Task Force)
Mon., April 28, 2025: CPSE to CSE Transition for Parents/Planificación para Transición de Educación Especial PreEscolar a Kindergarten (CPSE a CSE): This workshop will help participants to understand the transition process, to be an active member of the transition team, to understand the difference between services in CPSE and CSE, and to understand the purpose of an IEP. (FACE Center, NYSED OSE Partnership and Greenburgh Central School District)
Tues., April 29, 2025, Wed., April 30, 2025 or Thurs., May 1 , 2025: 2025 Justice Center Family Engagement Series: Receive an overview of the Individual and Family Support Unit and the services and support provided to people receiving services and family members/personal representatives as they navigate the investigative process. A focus on Effective Advocacy will be provided.
Tues., April 29, 2025: Pre Employment Transition Services (Pre ETS): (WIHD Community Support Network, Access VR and University of Rochester Medical Center)
Tues., April 29, 2025: When I’m Gone, Then What?: Future Planning Workshop for Parents of People with Disabilities: Registration required. (Brooklyn Library)
Wed., April 30, 2025: Get to Know the ADA: Equality and Access for new Americans with Disabilities: Topics include how the ADA protects the civil rights of individuals with disabilities and strategies to assert ADA rights without fear of retaliation. (The Northeast ADA Center and NYS Office for New Americans)
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 8, 2025: Lunchtime Discussion: Self Direction 2025, Understanding the role of the Fiscal Intermediary: Register by May 7. (Mid-Island Y JCC)
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.
Wed., June 18, 2025: Lunchtime Discussion: Self Direction 2025, Why is the Life Plan Important: Register by June 17. (Mid-Island Y JCC)
the purpose of the Staff Action Plan?
Thurs., July 10, 2205: Lunchtime Discussion: Self Direction 2025, Understanding IDGS & OTPS: Register by July 9. (Mid-Island Y JCC)
Thurs., Aug. 14, 2025: Lunchtime Discussion: Self Direction 2025: Understanding the budget template: Register by Aug. 11. (Mid-Island Y JCC)
Tues., Sept. 9, 2025: Lunchtime Discussion: Self Direction 2025: Launched, Now What?: Register by Sept. 8. (Mid-Island Y JCC)
Photo: Positive Solutions for Families webinar to help with challenging behaviors. (Credit: Freepik.com)