Learn how to find a job, write a resume, and be interviewed!!!
Come to the Work Readiness Workshop
Everette Hodge Center
1521 Franklin St, Kingston, NY
Wednesday March 28, 2012 from 4:15 to 5:15

Must be between the ages of 16 and 21 to participate.
  Call (845) 331-7080 x153 for more details
    Brought to you by Family of Woodstock, Inc. and the WIB Youth Council

6:00-6:30pm
Transition and the IEP: An overview of the transition planning components in an IEP will be reviewed to help parents understand how schools address transition needs and provide services which reasonably enable students to reach their post secondary goals.    
ACCES-VR: Office of Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (formerly VESID):  An overview of services available to assist persons in obtaining employment and or vocational training will be discussed including eligibility requirements and the development of an Individual Plan for Employment (IPE). 

6:30-7:15pm (Break-out sessions: pick A or B)
SESSION A: Transition to College: Learn about some of the key differences a student and parent can expect in a college setting as well as the requirements necessary to access disability support services.  A college based program providing supported education for students with mental health needs will also be presented.  

SESSION B: Employment and Day Supports: Information will be shared about varying levels of support for employment including:   School to Work programs, Job Coaching, Supported Employment, Enclaves, Internships and Vocational Case Management.  Alternate supports such as day habilitation services will be reviewed.  
Residential Options: Different types of living arrangements and supports will be highlighted to provide assistance in determining which options might be appropriate to consider in planning for your child’s future. The process to obtain residential services will be explained.  

7:15-8:00pm (Break-out session)
SESSION A: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid: Timeframes to apply or re-apply for benefits will be explained as well as various legal methods to defer employment income, which can impact benefit amounts. 

SESSION B: OPWDD-Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (formerly OMRDD): Eligibility guidelines and services provided by OPWDD will be discussed including recent changes affecting NYS and the provision of family supports, service coordination, recreation, respite, home and community based waiver services. 

A must-read for all but especially as many look to cut the safety net of special and alternative education- From the NY Times.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/12/us/even-critics-of-safety-net-increasingly-depend-on-it.html?hp 

From the Cornell Course Description, "Self-Determination": 



Are you experiencing the "three D's" at your current school, service system?  i.e.
 * Different (not one of us);
 * Disconnected (not part of our communities or culture);
 * Dependent (kept or managed)

or are experiencing  the "three I's",
 * Individual (like you and me);
 * Included (like you and me);
 * Interdependent (like you and me).

"Self-determination is, at its core, designed to shatter societal perceptions and acceptance of the three D's about persons with disabilities through relentless advocacy efforts that promote realization of the three I's. Self-determination is a human rights and a civil rights issue. 
Read more at:
Self-Determination Course at Cornell 

From Real People, Real Jobs: "Welcome! This site highlights the employment successes of people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) who are working in paid jobs in their communities. Through the use of innovative, front-line employment support practices, these individuals are earning money, forming networks, and contributing to their communities. Learn more about these people and the promising practices that led to their success."
Click here to check out this excellent website for ideas & inspirition.

Family of Woodstock, Inc works in conjunction with the Office of Employment and Training to help qualifying youth 16-21 who need support finding jobs and becoming self-sufficient individuals. They have GED support, work readiness workshops, money to pay for certification tuition, and paid internships available. Contact: Genevieve Salerno, Youth Employment Case Specialist at (845) 331-7080 x153.
Shared by: Lucille A. Ruggieri, UCTCC Co-Chair, Vocational Coordinator, Gateway Community Industries, Ulster County Department of Mental Health.

Click Read More for more information . . .

For students:
* Between the ages of 16 and 21 
*  not attending high school (they graduated or dropped out) 
* currently living in Ulster County 
* eligible for TANF, Food Stamps, SSI, SSD, is unemployed, or makes below $5,445.00 within a six month period 
* with above 6th grade reading and math levels on screening
 
Please  call Genevieve Salerno, Youth Employment Case Specialist at (845) 331-7080 x153,  if you’d like more information or to refer someone you know or work with.   Gsalerno@fowinc.org

New York State diplomas::
a: 3 levels of a regular high school diploma (Local, Regents or Advanced Designation. You may also add "with honors" and/or a "technical endorsement") .
b:  a GED 
c:  an IEP diploma.

For more information about NYS diplomas, click here . . .

NY Times: Autism, Grown Up, Love on the Spectrum: 
Articles in this series are chronicling the coming of age of a generation of autistic youths.  Shared by Penny Levine, Special Educator, Ulster BOCES.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/26/us/navigating-love-and-autism.html?pagewanted=all

See also:  Autistic and Seeking a Place in the Adult World

The webcast is part of Ulster County No Name Calling Week.
 County Executive Michael Hein will be hosting a webcast of an anti-bullying session for all of Ulster County School Districts. The session will stream live via webcast Friday, February 3rd, 2012 10 am at: 
  
http://totalwebcasting.com/live/ulster/countyexecutive 

It will also be available after the original webcast via download at the above address.  

Shared by: Lucille A. Ruggieri, UCTCC Co-Chair, Vocational Coordinator, Gateway Community Industries, Ulster County Department of Mental Health

The session will consist of local experts discussing the impacts and myths associated with bullying as well as provide resources and strategies to address bullying. 

 WHERE: The webcast will be broadcast from Ulster County BOCES and can be streamed into each school.     
WHEN: Friday, February 3rd, 2012. The webcast will begin at 10 am. 
Participating:
Mike Hein, Ulster County Executive   
Joakim Lartey, Coordinator of Supportive Learning Environments and Positive Youth Development, Ulster County BOCES    
Rob Conlon, Co-chair GLSEN Hudson Valley  
Jess Robie, Team Leader of Adolsecent Services at Family of Woodstock  
Amy White, Teacher at Bailey Middle School  
James B. Childs, Pastor at Pointe of Praise  
John Dickson, Detective at Ulster Police Department  
Cherelyn Volpert, Guidance Counselor at Bailey Middle School  
Michele Bertelle, Community Resource Coordinator at Mental Health Association in Ulster County