Workshops are provided free of charge for parents and professionals.

Contact Stacie Ricioppo at sricioppo@kaleidahealth.org or call (716) 880-3878 for more information.

Last updated: 05/18/2011

Understanding Transition from Early Intervention to Committee on Preschool Special Education

• Understanding the laws, regulations, least restrictive environment, members of the committee, parents rights, advocating for your child, the differences between EI and preschool
• For parents of children in Early Intervention and Early Intervention professionals

Understanding Transition from Preschool Special Education to School Age Special Education

• Understanding the laws, regulations, least restrictive environment, members of the committee, parents rights, advocating for your child, placement options for kindergarten
• For parents of children moving from preschool to school age

Overview of Special Education Process and Regulations (Preschool and School Age)

• An overview for anyone interested in the process
• Explanation of Federal and New York State Special Education laws
• For parents and professionals

Funding Options for Families

• An overview of the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disability, Medicaid Service Coordination and Medicaid Wavers (Home and Community Based Waiver/Care Home Waiver)

Individual Education Program Development

• Creating an IEP for your child. What is a PLEP statement?
• For parents and professionals

SOS: Getting Parents on Board When You Suspect Problems

• Learn strategies to establish and maintain relationships with families
• Learn how to document concerns and approach the family
• Get ideas for meeting with families and following up once services start
• For child care and Head Start providers

Smart Inclusion

• Learn how to include children with special needs in childcare settings
• Become familiar with basic terminology and legal requirements
• Review the benefits of inclusion and some best practices
• Learn about the referral process and resources for assistance
• For child care and Head Start providers and families

Inclusion Presentations

• Various presentations presented by the WNY Inclusion Committee
• For child care providers

Strategies for Challenging Behaviors

• Learn strategies to prevent challenging behaviors
• Observation and documentation techniques
• Development and implementation of behavior plans
• For child care and Head Start providers

Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) Parent Member Training

• Gain a better understanding of the special education system.
• Know what to expect at a CSE/CPSE meeting.
• Identify the roles of the CSE/CPSE members.
• Learn how to help develop an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
• Walk away with tips on being an effective parent member of the CSE/CPSE.

Committee on Preschool Special Education Process and Procedures 101

• Update specific issues relating to the federal and state regulations, and the State Performance Plan.
• Description of the CPSE/CSE process, the transition of services from early intervention and preschool to school age programs.
• Review the continuum of services and programs, least restrictive environment and the evaluation process.
• School administrators, psychologists, general education, special education teachers, support staff, related service providers, municipal representatives, parents, agencies and service coordinators are encouraged to attend.

How to Improve Parent Communication and Involvement

• Overview of best practice strategies to implement State Performance Plan Indicator #8 Parent Involvement.
• Discuss the process and procedures to assure maximum participation in the survey process; and recommended strategies to improve parent communication and involvement regarding their children’s education.
• Review district activities and school events at both the preschool and the school-age levels.

Early Childhood Outcomes

• Provide tools and strategies CPSE members can use to measure preschool outcomes as required by State Performance Plan Indicator #7.
• Review why we collect outcome data; how to assess the three outcome areas; how to use the summary form and understanding the rating scale.
• Discuss ways to include parents in the outcome process.
• All CPSE members welcome.

Observation and Assessment of Children’s Progress

• Learn about the assessment process – gathering, analyzing and using data
• Strategies to gather observation data
• Making time for observation
• For child care and Head Start providers

Choosing a Child Care for your Child with Special Needs

• Examine the different types of child care
• Learn what to look for and what questions to ask
• Learn about the cost of care and funding sources
• For parents and caregivers

Partnerships between EI and Child Care

• Identify the barriers to successful partnerships
• Learn strategies to overcome barriers
• For child care and Head Start providers, therapists and special education staff

Developmentally Appropriate Practices and Activities

• Overview of brain research that supports developmentally appropriate practices
• Understand the importance of play
• Learn about room arrangement, activities and materials that support developmentally appropriate practices
• For child care and Head Start providers

Red Flags: Recognizing Developmental Delays

• Understand typical development and learn to recognize red flags in development
• Steps to take in talking with parents and accessing the referral system
• Strategies to develop and maintain partnerships with therapists
• For child care and Head Start providers and therapists

Did I Say the Right Thing? Tips to Help Support Families of Children with Disabilities

• Awareness of the various levels of acceptance and coping strategies
• Encouraging words for new families
• Comments to avoid
• Identify different supports available
• For professionals

Is it ADHD? Early Warning Signs

• Identify the early warning signs
• Getting a Diagnosis
• How you can help your child?
• For parents

Workshops are provided at a variety of locations and times.
Call (716) 880-3878 or email sricioppo@kaleidahealth.org for schedule and location.