Updates & Insights from the Department of Special Services
Welcome to Partnering for Success, a space where the the Director of Special Services will share regular updates, insights and important information from the Department of Special Services. These newsletters are designed to keep families, staff and the community informed as we work together to support all learners.
Introduction Letter- Summer 2025
Stay connected and informed! Here are some important workshops and trainings happening:
November 2025
Grupo de Familias con Hijos en Educación Especial – Sesión en Español / Special Education Family Group – Spanish Session
🗓 Lunes / Monday, 3 de noviembre / November 3
⏰ 6:00–7:00 p.m. EST
💻 Zoom
Únase a nuestro grupo en español para aprender de expertos sobre temas importantes como 🏥 salud familiar, 📚 educación especial, 🏫 comunicación con el personal escolar, 🩺 comunicación con médicos y 🤝 cómo conseguir ayuda para sus hijos.
Join our Spanish-speaking group to learn from experts about important topics like 🏥 family health, 📚 special education, 🏫 communication with school staff, 🩺 communication with doctors, and 🤝 how to get support for your children.
📄 Haga clic aquí / Click here for Flyer and Registration
Join the Nathan Kline Institute for an in-person informational talk with Russell Tobe, MD, on Wednesday, November 5, at 5:00 p.m.
📍 Location: 35 Third Avenue, Orangeburg, NY 10962
Dr. Tobe will discuss approaches to understanding and treating irritability in children and adolescents with autism.
RSVP: Call (845) 398-6620 or email vrp@nki.rfmh.org
In-Person Meeting: Wednesday, November 5, 2025, from 6:30–8:00 p.m.
📍 Location: Valley Cottage, NY
All parents in need of support are encouraged to attend this confidential group, held twice a month—once in person and once online via Zoom. The next online Zoom session will be on November 29, 2025.
This group provides a safe and welcoming environment where parents can share concerns, hear about others’ experiences, and find support. You are not alone—many parents face similar challenges and successes.
RSVP: Please provide your full name and phone number by texting 845-596-9835 or emailing setianM@greatermentalhealth.org
Family Guide to Transition Planning: Preparing Students with Disabilities for Life After High School
🗓 Date: Wednesday, November 6
⏰ Time: 12:00–1:30 p.m. EST
💻 Location: Zoom
This training will help families understand the transition planning process from high school to life after graduation. When families are informed and actively involved, students with disabilities have better outcomes in employment, postsecondary education, and independent living.
📄 Zoom Registration: Click Here
When: Thursday, November 7, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: New City Bowl
Who: Rockland County individuals 18+ with OPWDD eligibility
Join Jawonio for a fun, free evening of bowling!
Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) Services and Eligibility
🗓 Date: Monday, November 11
⏰ Time: 12:00–1:00 p.m. EST
💻 Location: Zoom
Join us for a workshop on OPWDD services and eligibility. The New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) coordinates services for New Yorkers with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Learn about the range of services available and the requirements for service eligibility.
📄 Zoom Registration: Click Here
In Response to the SNAP Crisis
📍 Location: Haverstraw Center
50 W. Broad St., Haverstraw, NY 10927
🗓 Date: Wednesday, November 12
🕦 Time: 11:30 a.m. — Until products are gone
Community members in need are invited to pick up free food items through a safe, contactless drive-thru distribution. Supplies are limited and will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information, please contact the Haverstraw Center or your local district office.
Self-Direction: An Overview
🗓 Date: Tuesday, November 12
⏰ Time: 12:00–1:00 p.m. EST
💻 Location: Zoom
Learn about OPWDD’s self-direction services, which allow individuals more choice in OPWDD-funded supports and services. To participate, the individual must be eligible for OPWDD services and be receiving Care Management through a Care Coordination Organization (CCO). If the person with the disability is not yet eligible, it is recommended to first attend a workshop on OPWDD eligibility.
📄 Zoom Registration: Click Here
Supporting Your Child in Work-Based Learning Experiences
🗓 Date: Tuesday, November 12
⏰ Time: 6:00–7:30 p.m. EST
💻 Location: Zoom
This workshop provides families and guardians with foundational knowledge of high-quality Work-Based Learning (WBL) in New York State. Topics include exploring registered and unregistered program options for students with disabilities, reviewing the career development process and NYS WBL framework, identifying essential partners for an individualized experience, and learning strategies to increase career awareness at home and in the community.
📄 Zoom Registration: Click Here
In Response to the SNAP Crisis
📍 Location: Clover Stadium
1 Phil Tisi Way, Pomona, NY 10970
🗓 Date: Thursday, November 13
🕥 Time: 10:30 a.m. — Until products are gone
Community members in need are welcome to pick up free food items through a safe, contactless drive-thru distribution. Supplies are limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Music For Life’s 3rd Night Out Concert!
Join us as students showcase what they’ve been working on throughout the year. This event is age-appropriate for all ages and stages, offering a space where participants can shine and show how music and arts therapy help build life skills, happiness, and joy.
All are welcome!
📍 Location: The Angel, Nyack
📅 Date: Friday, November 14th
🕖 Time: 7:00 PM
🎟 Tickets:
Available at the door or purchase in advance here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/music-for-life-night-out-tickets-1781961297209?aff=oddtdtcreator
Virtual Transition Workshop: Compassion in Action
Join us for our next Virtual Transition Workshop, hosted by the Rockland Transition Consortium in collaboration with the Rockland County Department of Mental Health and the Anderson Center for Consulting & Training.
Workshop Topic: Compassion in Action
Learn a compassionate approach to supporting behavior by considering context, behavioral function, and skill development needs for individuals with autism and other forms of neurodivergence.
🗓 Date: Tuesday, November 18
⏰ Time: 5:30–7:00 p.m.
💻 Location: Virtual (via Zoom)
💰 Cost: Free — all are welcome!
Pre-registration is required.
Click here to register
🗓 Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2025 (Corrected Date)
🕡 Time: 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
💻 Location: Online via Zoom
Are you a parent or caretaker of a teen with emotional challenges? You’re not alone! Join this supportive virtual group to connect with other parents, share your experiences, and hear about both successes and concerns from others who understand.
📩 To RSVP: Please email Madlen and include your cell phone number if you would like to receive the Zoom link. You must join with Video, display your name, have a quiet place, be prompt and stay till the end. All personal information is confidential! Contact: Madlen Setian, Family Peer Advocate setianm@greatermentalhealth.org, cell: 845-596-9835, office: 845-267-2172 ext. 281
🗓 Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2025
🕕 Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (EDT)
💻 Location: Online via Zoom
Join our team each month for an open conversation on a variety of topics about living your best life with a disability. This is a welcoming and empowering space for individuals to share experiences, insights, and support.
CPSE to CSE: Transition from Preschool Special Education to Kindergarten
🗓 Date: Tuesday, November 19
⏰ Time: 12:00–1:00 p.m. EST
💻 Location: Zoom
In this workshop, participants will gain valuable insight into the kindergarten transition, including how to be an effective member of the transition team, the differences between CPSE and CSE services, and the purpose of an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Parents and caregivers will leave with a clearer understanding of what to expect as their child takes this important next step.
📄 Zoom Registration: Click Here
Conversation with Kim Hill, New York State Chief Disability Officer
🗓 Date: Tuesday, November 19
⏰ Time: 6:00–7:30 p.m. EST
💻 Location: Zoom
Join us for an engaging conversation with Kim Hill, New York State Chief Disability Officer. Learn about her role and discuss topics related to disability services and supports in New York State.
📄 Click Here for Flyer and Zoom Registration
NAMI Rockland is offering a Therapeutic Recreation Program designed for children with mental health challenges, including those on the autism spectrum (ASD).
📅 Date: November 19th
⏰ Time: 4:00–6:00 PM
📍 Location: Pascack Community Center, New City
This engaging program provides a supportive environment for children to build social skills, explore recreation activities, and have fun in a structured setting.
Registration is required.
🗓 Date: Thursday, November 20, 2025
🕖 Time: 7:00 p.m. (Registration required at least 24 hours in advance)
Are you a Black, Indigenous, or Person of Color (BIPOC) and a parent or caretaker of a loved one with special needs age 21 or under?
Join us for a welcoming and confidential virtual group where we can connect, share experiences, exchange resources, and empower one another.
Friday, November 21st – Wear Purple to Support Awareness!
To help raise awareness and show support for individuals living with epilepsy, we invite everyone to join us on Friday, November 21st for a special awareness day.
💜 Purple is the official color of Epilepsy Awareness!
We encourage staff, community members, and partners to wear purple—whether you're in the office or out in the community—to help spark conversations and spread understanding.
In addition to wearing purple, we will have fun and educational activities planned throughout the day to promote learning, engagement, and awareness. Stay tuned for more details!
Together, let’s shine a light on epilepsy and support those affected. 💜
FOR YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES
AGES 14–24
Date: November 21
Time: 5:00–6:00 PM
Location: BRIDGES at the Palisades Center
Join us for our next Fun Friday — a Surprise Fall Craft Event filled with creativity and seasonal fun! Come socialize, connect with peers, and enjoy:
Mystery Craft Bags
Holiday Card Making
Seasonal Fun
Click here to register! (Fun Friday: Surprise Fall Craft)
Thanksgiving Food Distribution
The Regional Food Bank will be hosting a Thanksgiving Food Distribution on Saturday, November 22nd at 10:00 AM at Clover Stadium, located at 1 Phil Tisi Way, Pomona, NY 10970.
For more information or to volunteer, please visit:
http://www.regionalfoodbank.net/thanksgiving
Supported Decision-Making (SDM), Guardianship, and Other Alternatives
🗓 Date: Monday, November 25
⏰ Time: 12:00–1:15 p.m. EST
💻 Location: Zoom
This workshop will present tools and methods to help support loved ones with disabilities in making choices as they approach adulthood. Many parents and caregivers have questions about guardianship, Supported Decision-Making (SDM), and advance directives such as health care proxies and durable power of attorney. This session is recommended before attending Guardianship and Digging Into Supported Decision-Making workshops. If you have already attended this WIHD Zoom workshop, please register instead for the Digging Into Supported Decision-Making session.
📄 Zoom Registration: Click Here
Guardianship Workshop: Applying for Guardianship – Requirements and Process
🗓 Date: Tuesday, November 26
⏰ Time: 12:00–1:00 p.m. EST
💻 Location: Zoom
This workshop is intended for individuals who have already attended the Supported Decision-Making, Guardianship, and Other Alternatives session and determined that guardianship is the most appropriate path. We will review the process of preparing a petition for guardianship and the necessary documentation requirements.
📄 Zoom Registration: Click Here
Kinship Caregiver Community Night – Nyack Library
We’re excited to host a Kinship Caregiver Community Night next month and invite you to help spread the word to kinship caregivers in your school community.
📍 Where: Nyack Library — 59 S. Broadway, Nyack, NY 10960
🗓️ When: Thursday, December 11 | 6:00–7:30 PM
This free event offers a warm and welcoming space for caregivers to connect, find support, and build community. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet our KCSP staff, learn about our school advocacy and legal resources, and enjoy a complimentary family dinner. Youth-focused activities will also be available for children and teens.
October
(Spanish-Speaking Special Education Group)
🗓️ Fecha: Lunes, 6 de octubre de 2025
🕕 Hora: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (EDT)
📍 En línea por Zoom
Aprenda de los expertos — en Español
Únase a este grupo de apoyo en español para familias con hijos en educación especial. Compartiremos información útil y práctica sobre temas clave que afectan a su familia.
Temas a tratar:
Salud familiar
Educación especial
Comunicación con el personal escolar
Comunicación con médicos
Cómo obtener ayuda para sus hijos
🔗 Haga clic aquí para ver el volante y registrarse en Zoom
Special Education 101: Training of the Parent Member
🗓️ Tuesday, October 7, 2025
🕕 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM (1-hour lunch break)
📍 In person, at Southern Westchester BOCES, Harrison, NY
This NYS Education Department–approved training prepares parents or guardians who have had a child with an IEP in the last five years to serve as Parent Members at CPSE/CSE meetings. This is also open to any staff who may wish to serve as Parent Member in their home district.
The Parent Member role is:
A neutral peer who helps parents feel comfortable and informed during IEP meetings
Focused on collaboration and understanding
A resource for fostering positive communication and strong school–family partnerships
Participants completing this four-hour training will receive a certificate for their district.
OPWDD is hosting statewide information sessions to explain the Coordinated Assessment System (CAS) and the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS-NY) assessment. These sessions aim to reduce concerns about the assessment process and help people better understand it. The goal of these assessments is to enhance service delivery and care planning by involving individuals and their support networks to create more personalized service plans.
🗓️ October 9
🕕 10:30 am – 12 noon
📍 OPWDD Kingston Office
521 Boices Lane
Kingston, NY 12401
🗓️ October 9
🕕 3:30 pm – 5 pm
📍Westchester Institute for Human Development (WIHD)
Cedarwood Hall
20 Hospital Oval W
Valhalla, NY 10595
Space is limited at the in-person sessions so please register early to reserve your spot. Once your registration is confirmed you will receive confirmation.
Parents of Teens Support Group
🗓️ Wednesday, October 8, 2025
🕕 6:30-8:00 PM
The Parents of Teens Support Group hosted by the Greater Mental Health of NY will host the next meeting, held in person on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, from 6:30–8:00 PM in Valley Cottage, NY.
This is a confidential, supportive space for parents to connect, share, and find encouragement. Meetings are held twice a month:
📍In Person – once a month in Valley Cottage, NY
📍Online via Zoom – the next online meeting is October 22, 2025
Whether you're seeking advice or just need to know you're not alone, this group offers a safe and welcoming environment for all parents of teens.
To RSVP, please contact Madlen Setian with your full name and phone number:
📧 setianm@greatermentalhealth.org
📞 845-596-9835
Portrait of a Graduate: NY Inspires – A New Roadmap to One Diploma for All
🗓️ October 16
🕕 12:00 PM
Hosted by the Lower Hudson Special Education Task Force
Join us for an overview of NY Inspires, New York’s newly adopted plan to revamp graduation requirements. Aligned with the Blue Ribbon Commission, this initiative focuses on:
A statewide "Portrait of a Graduate"
Updated credit structures
One diploma for all students
Phasing out current assessments
Learn what’s changing, why it matters, and what to expect in the coming years.
🔗Register Here If you have difficulty registering, please email jbaumann@putnamils.org Or call (845) 228-7457, ext. 1108
Empowering the Transition: Helping Students with Disabilities Prepare for College
🗓️ October 16
🕕 12:00 PM
Have a junior or senior in high school who is thinking about college? Looking to learn more regarding disability services and the process at the college level? Join the disability services offices for an overview of the transition process. Bring your questions!
🔗Register Here Please complete the form to receive the zoom link
"Integrating Behavior, Play, and Language in Children with Autism and Language Disorder"
🗓️ Thursday, October 16th, 2025
🕕 10:00 am - 11:30 am
This presentation will explore how behavior, play, and language are interconnected and how an integrated approach can foster meaningful developmental progress. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how to: Recognize and respond to behavioral cues as a form of communication, use play as a foundation for building social and language skills, Support language development through structured and naturalistic interactions, collaborate across disciplines (e.g., speech therapy, ABA, and occupational therapy) to support the whole child and Implement practical strategies that promote engagement, reduce frustration, and encourage functional communication.
email familyconnect@adaptcommunitynetwork.org or call (718) 436-7979 Ext. 5139 for more details
Parent to Parent of NYS presents: Black, Indigenous, Person of Color (BIPOC), Virtual Parent Group
🗓️ Thursday, October 16th, 2025
🕕 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Are you a Black, Indigenous, Person of Color (BIPOC) AND a parent or caretaker of a loved one with special needs 21 years old and under? Let’s come together as a group to learn, share our experiences, resources and empower each other in this safe and confidential space.
Charting a New Path with ACCES-VR
🗓️ Wednesday, October 22nd
🕕 7:00 – 8:30 pm
* Learn about Adult Career and Continuing Education Services- Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) and how it supports individuals with disabilities related to goals for employment
*Discover who qualifies, the wide range of services available, and how the process works
*Learn about services tailored for high school students ages 14+ with IEP's or 504 plans
This workshop will be held virtually
All are welcome to this free, informative workshop. It is open to parents, students, as well as professionals.
🔗Register Here ALL ATTENDEES MUST PRE-REGISTER.
🗓️ Date: October 23
🕛 Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM (EDT)
📍 Location: Online via Zoom
This free presentation will help families understand the process of transitioning their child from Early Intervention (EI) to the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE).
Join us to learn what to expect, how to prepare, and where to find support during this important step in your child’s educational journey.
🗓️ Date: October 23
🕑 Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM (EDT)
📍 Location: Online via Zoom
This workshop is designed for individuals who have already attended our monthly Supported Decision-Making, Guardianship, and Other Alternatives session and have decided that guardianship is the most appropriate path.
We’ll walk through the steps to complete a guardianship petition, including a review of required documentation and helpful tips for a smooth process.
🗓️ Date: October 24
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 11:15 AM (EDT)
📍 Location: Online via Zoom
Considering SSI for a Family Member?
This workshop is designed to guide you through the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) application process. We’ll cover:
When and how to apply
Eligibility requirements
Tips to make the process smoother and less stressful
Whether you're just starting to explore SSI or preparing to apply, this session will provide helpful tools and information.
Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health – Children’s Mental Health Services
We are pleased to share information about the upcoming 20th Annual Transition Linkages Vendor Fair.
🗓️ Tuesday, October 28, 2025
🕕 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM
📍Westchester County Center, White Plains, NY
This free event provides an excellent opportunity for parents, self-advocates, and educators to learn more about adult services and transition planning for individuals aged 14–25. Over 50 vendors serving Westchester County residents have confirmed their participation in this year’s event.