Parent to Parent of NYS- Black, Indigenous, Person of Color (BIPOC) virtual Parent Group and learning series
2024-06-12 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York)
Are you a BIPOC Parent of a child with special needs of any age? (BIPOC – Black, Indigenous, Person of Color) Like you, I understand the realities of parenting our children with special needs while walking that tightrope of living on the margins struggling to be seen! Let’s address the high pressure reality on us as BIPOC parents so we may begin to re-energize ourselves, re-focus on what’s most important, and re-up our enthusiasm to increase our effectiveness in our roles. As we share our paths forward together, the better off we will be for our journey ahead, emotionally and physically, and the better off our families will be. Join me, Melanie Baker, for an honest conversation as we consider where we have been, where we are now, so that we may see our way forward.
Register here.

What You Need to Know About Assistive Technology in the IEP
2024-06-13 10:00 - 11:15
Please join Parent to Parent of NYS for this presentation on What You Need to Know About Assistive Technology in the IEP.
This training will teach parents, grandparents, guardians about appropriate Assistive Technology (AT) devices and services how they allow students with disabilities to participate in and benefit from the general education curriculum and to meet Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals. For every student with an IEP, federal and state regulations require that the team consider the student’s need for assistive technology devices and services.
Register here.

Chautauqua County Family & Caregiver Support Group via Zoom
2024-06-13 18:30 - 20:00, 2024-07-11 18:30 - 20:00
Receive Support – Connect with Others – Express Yourself
Free Support for parents, family members and caregivers of children with special needs
REGISTER ONCE FOR MONTHLY EMAIL REMINDERS AND ZOOM MEETING LINKS!
Call: 716-332-4170 | Email: info@parentnetworkwny.org

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Parent to Parent of NYS-Residential Placement Online Discussion Group- Parents who have a child or adult in a Residential placement
2024-06-13 19:00 - 20:00, 2024-07-11 19:00 - 20:00
For families with children and adults of all ages that currently have children in residential school or a group home. Come join us for an hour of support and conversation.
Register here.

Au-Some Evenings at Explore & More - The Ralph C Wilson Jr. Children's Museum
2024-06-14 17:30 - 19:30 | Explore & More – The Ralph C Wilson Jr. Children’s Museum, 130 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14202, United States
Once a month, Au-Some Evenings give children with autism and sensory processing needs, their friends and family an opportunity to play and learn together in an understanding and supportive environment. In addition to a fun night of play with access to the museum space and exhibits, we have special programming for families! The evening features themed Art Studio projects, sensory exploration in our Tinkering Tank, therapy animals from the SPCA and student volunteers from SUNY Buffalo State’s Exceptional Education program. Parent outreach materials including links for social stories, child development resources and play tips are always available. We even provide small giveaways or snacks in the lobby, at the end of the night to help with the transition of leaving the museum. We look forward to having you join us!
To register for the next Au-Some Evening please complete the form, here!

Special thanks to the Exceptional Education department from SUNY Buffalo State for providing volunteers who help support children and families develop language skills, promote social interactions, and facilitate learning through play. Au-Some Evenings was created in 2012 and presented in partnership with: Kathy Doody, Professor in Exceptional Education, and Jana Mertz, The Arc Erie County.

Click here to download our Au-Some Evening flyer!

Questions? Email accessibility@exploreandmore.org.
SPACE IS LIMITED!

Preventing Parent Burnout for Parents of Children with Special Needs via Zoom
2024-06-18 10:00 - 11:00
Preventing Parent Burnout for Parents of Children with Special Needs. Extraordinary parenting responsibilities create extraordinary pressures on parents. At the same time, parenting a child with special needs requires energy, focus, and enthusiasm to be effective in our role. The better off we are emotionally and physically, the better off our families will be. Join us for this webinar on Preventing Parent Burnout and discover positive ways to cope with and effectively manage stress.
REGISTER HERE.

Getting Started with the Residential Process: Tips, Tricks, and Information via Zoom
2024-06-18 11:00 - 12:15
Where Do I Begin?
The process of pursuing residential placement can be overwhelming. This presentation will help you organize your needs, preferences, and documents to help you navigate the process.
REGISTER HERE.

Parents CONSIDERING a Residential Placement Discussion Group
2024-06-18 19:00 - 20:00, 2024-07-16 19:00 - 20:00
Are you considering residential placement for your family member? Parent to Parent NYS is hosting this group for families with children and adults of all ages who are considering placement in a residential school or a group home.
Register here.

Parent Group for Parents of Older Children with developmental or physical disabilities 21 and older
2024-06-24 19:00 - 20:00
Transitioning to adulthood isn’t easy for our kids, or us! Connect with other parents who understand the joys and struggles of raising older children with special needs. Share experiences, advice, and encouragement in a welcoming environment. This group is specifically for parents of children 21 and older.
REGISTER HERE.

When You Are Considering a Developmental Evaluation for Your Child: A Parent’s Perspective to Assist Your Visit.
2024-06-25 13:00 - 14:00
This presentation provides an overview of the parent’s perspective when planning for a child’s developmental evaluation. This webinar will not be looking at specific tests or types of evaluations. Instead, we want to share some tips and potential suggestions that we have learned based on our own personal experiences when our children were evaluated. We hope that this provides you with information and ideas when planning for your own child’s evaluation.
REGISTER HERE.

Traveling with Your Special Needs Child/Adult
2024-06-26 18:00 - 19:30
Come join Parent to Parent NYS for this NEW Presentation on Traveling with Your Special Needs Child/Adult. Have you dreamed of going on a vacation with your child or adult with special needs? Does your child express a desire to go visit grandparents or a friend? Does he/she want to go on a field trip? Are theme parks or cruises a wish? Does the thought of even planning a trip make you nervous? Whether it’s a day trip or a long vacation, get tips and tricks for planning and implementing a trip with your family member with special needs. Learn how a trip can benefit all of your family members.
Register here.

Statewide- Virtual Special Education Parent Chat Group
2024-06-27 18:30 - 20:00
Come join Parent to Parent NYS for their Special Education chat group. As a parent’s of children with special needs, we know firsthand how hard it is to advocate for our children in school. Sometimes we feel helpless, exhausted, and lonely and let’s face it advocating for our kids is complicated! If you’re a parent, grandparent, caregiver of a child with special needs, and struggling with special education school related issues. Come join for an opportunity to share what’s happening while engaging in great conversation, sharing your knowledge, ideas and resources with other parents in the community who are dealing with the same issues. All from the comfort of your own home.
REGISTER HERE.

The Link WNY’s Family & Caregiver Group via Zoom
2024-07-08 18:30 - 20:00
Are you a parent of a child with disabilities or do you suspect they have a disability?
Do you want to…
– Feel less overwhelmed?
– Feel a sense of belonging?

Get the support you need from Parent Network of WNY, Empower and other group members!
Discuss topics such as Special Education, Sensory Processing Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and more!
REGISTER ONCE FOR MONTHLY EMAIL REMINDERS AND ZOOM MEETING LINKS!
REGISTER HERE.

Call: 716-332-4170 | Email: info@parentnetworkwny.org
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Guidelines for Determining the Need for a One-to-One Aide
2024-07-10 18:00 - 19:15
Please join Namita Modasra, Education Advocate, Parent to Parent of NYS as she presents this wonderful webinar: Guidelines for Determining the Need for a One-to-One Aide Let’s explore what the IEP team needs to consider, supplemental aids, services and program modifications for all students with disabilities. A key question for the IEP team is to consider whether the student with a disability does or does not require one-to-one support to make meaningful progress toward annual goals in the IEP in the least restrictive environment (LRE).
REGISTER HERE.

Behavior as Communication - Summer Evening Series via Zoom
2024-07-10 18:30 - 19:30, 2024-07-17 18:30 - 19:30
Behavior is a way of communicating needs and wants. Behavior communication refers to an individual’s effort to communicate dislikes, needs, desires, etc., but who cannot do so in a traditional manner.
Come to this weekly series to learn about how you can respond to their needs and help them to learn more positive ways to communicate.
Dates of the Series
Wednesdays, July 10, 17, 24 & 31
Wednesdays, August 7 & 14
Times for the Series: 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
*Certificate of completion available upon request*
This series builds upon each session. Please plan on attending all sessions.
Registration will close after 7/17/2024.
REGISTER HERE FOR THIS FREE EVENT!
Call: 716-332-4170 | Email: info@parentnetworkwny.org
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Summer Lunch & Learn Series – Summer Success via Zoom (Once a week July 11-August 29 from 12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.)
2024-07-11 12:00 - 12:45, 2024-07-18 12:00 - 12:45, 2024-07-24 12:00 - 12:45
Summer Lunch & Learn Series – Special Education!
FREE! 12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Thursday, July 11 – Summer Success
Thursday, July 18 – Homeschooling
Wednesday, July 24 – Transition in the IEP
Tuesday, July 30 – Developmental Milestones
Tuesday, August 6 – CPSE to CSE
Tuesday, August 13 – Talking to Your Child About Their Disability
Wednesday, August 21 – Special Education Process
Thursday, August 29 – Learning Disabilities
*Certificate of completion available upon request*
REGISTER HERE FOR THIS FREE EVENT SERIES! REGISTER ONCE TO ATTEND ALL SESSIONS.
Call: 716-332-4170 | Email: info@parentnetworkwny.org
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Section 504, Students with Disabilities in Public & Private Schools via Zoom
2024-07-16 13:00 - 14:15
Please join Tina Beauparlant, Regional Manager, Education Specialist, Parent to Parent of NYS, as she presents a webinar on Section 504, Students with Disabilities in Public & Private Schools.
This training will introduce you to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This training is designed to provide you with an understanding of the law, how it applies to educational programs and to students with disabilities. Children who qualify under this law receive services and/ or accommodations in the public-school system without being classified under IDEA/IDEIA and their school district’s Committee on Special Education. If you are a Parent, Grandparent, Family Members, or just interested in this topic then this training is for you!
REGISTER HERE.

Education Records Organizer via Zoom
2024-07-17 19:00 - 20:00
This workshop is where parents, guardians and advocates of children who receive 504, CPSE and CSE special education services take their educational records and organize them into a record-keeping binder. This workshop will assist in being more organized in planning a child’s education, and in the CPSE/CSE process.
REGISTER HERE.

What Does Advocacy Mean in Special Education - webinar
2024-07-18 09:30 - 10:30
Please join Tina Beauparlant for this training on What Does Advocacy Mean in Special Education. Not everyone starts out by being a good advocate. Many parents, guardians and grandparents have faced challenges in getting their child’s education needs met. Parents, guardians, grandparents, must learn the skills they need to become good advocates for their children. Participants will learn that communicate effectively with teachers and other school personnel is one of the best ways to ensure that your child’s school is creating a good learning environment for your child, and to ensure that your child’s school is providing your child with the services or programs that he or she needs to succeed in school. If you are a Parent, Grandparent, Family Member or just interested in this topic, then this training is for you!
REGISTER HERE.

What Does Advocacy Mean in Special Education via Zoom
2024-07-18 09:30 - 10:30
Please join Tina Beauparlant for this training on What Does Advocacy Mean in Special Education. Not everyone starts out by being a good advocate. Many parents, guardians, and grandparents have faced challenges in getting their child’s education needs met. Parents, guardians, grandparents, must learn the skills they need to become good advocates for their children. Participants will learn that communicate effectively with teachers and other school personnel is one of the best ways to ensure that your child’s school is creating a good learning environment for your child, and to ensure that your child’s school is providing your child with the services or programs that he or she needs to succeed in school. If you are a Parent, Grandparent, Family Member or just interested in this topic then this training is for you!
Register here.

NEW- Chinese Speaking Family Support Group - Via Zoom
2024-07-20 20:00 - 22:00
Parent to Parent NYS is excited to announce the launch of a new Parent Group tailored specifically for Chinese-speaking parents who have children with a developmental or physical disability. Led by our Fatherhood Engagement Coordinator, Bin Feng, this group is open to parents of children of any age or disability who speak Chinese (Mandarin).
Register here.

Parent to Parent of NYS- Statewide-Virtual Fathers Group
2024-07-22 19:00 - 20:00
Parent to Parent of NYS Fathers Group to meet online via Zoom and discuss the role of dads in navigating their children’s special needs. Come join Bing Feng for an informal meeting to share information, resources, and support. Parents of children and adults are welcome.
Register here.

NEW- Teen Parent Group- for parents of teenagers with developmental or physical disabilities
2024-07-22 19:00 - 20:00
Are you a parent of a special needs teenager? You are not alone! From navigating adolescence to managing behaviors and fostering independence, our group provides a safe space for open discussions about all things teen related. Parent to Parent offers parents a place where you can connect with other parents facing similar challenges and share experiences in a welcoming and understanding environment.
REGISTER HERE.

Let’s Take a Crash Course on Understanding how to Read an IEP - webinar
2024-07-23 18:00 - 20:00
Please join Parent to Parent of NYS, Namita Modasra, Education Advocate for this training on Let’s Take a Crash Course on Understanding how to Read your child’s IEP.
Does your child have an IEP (Individualized Education Program)? We’ll walk through the different sections of the IEP, and discuss how to advocate for supports to make sure the IEP reflects your child’s abilities and needs. Because states and local school systems may include additional information, forms differ from state to state and may vary between school systems within a state. The IEP, Individualized Education Program, is a written document that’s developed for each public-school child who is eligible for special education. The IEP is created through a team effort and reviewed at least once a year. This training will teach you how to read the IEP so you can understand what should and can be in the IEP. If you are a Parent, Grandparent, Family Member or guardian then this training is for you!
REGISTER HERE!
