Studies and No Cost Projects/Workshops
        For more information about a national Bristol Myers Squibb medication study for children ages 6-17 with severe behavioral problems or a no-cost 10 week parent group discussing sexuality, growing up issues as part of a research study at the Center for Autism in Bethpage, NY, call 631-802-8680

Sibling Support Group
        The KISS Center (Kids in Special Services) at the Mid-Island Y JCC, Plainview NY is offering a sibling support group for children ages 6-11 on the second and fourth Sunday of each month from 10:30 -11:30 a.m. The group gives children who have a sibling with special needs the opportunity to express their feelings and receive support from other children in the same situation. For more information, contact Kristen Nelson @ 516-822-3535.

Creative Arts Therapy Program in Deer Park
        Life's WORC Creative Arts Therapy Program is an inclusion program which provides music and art therapy to children with developmental disabilities and typical children. The program is designed to encourage positive growth and changes through the use of music and art.  Each session provides a creative working environment where children can feel safe to express and explore their feelings while learning about others. Activities range from painting and drawing to working with clay and utilizing diverse materials, offering children opportunities to explore and learn to tolerate different textures. The music session involves activities ranging from singing or movement of music and listening to stories expressed in music. Life's Worc is now accepting applications for the new location under construction in Deer Park. Inauguration of the program is anticipated for the Fall of 2006. For further information, call 516-741-9000 ext. 470 or 271.

Westco Productions Special Needs Workshops
        A full theater arts program for persons ages 9 to 21 with developmental disabilities offering instruction in dancing, singing, improvisation, speaking and acting skills. Rehearsals are on Saturdays with dress rehearsals the week of the show. Workshop fee is $150.00 and space is limited to 20 in each session. There are Fall and Spring sessions. For further details go to www.WestcoProds.com.

P.A.L.S. (Partners in Action for Learning Social Skills)
Community Mediation Center
22 Lawrence Avenue
Smithtown, NY 11787
631-265-0490
        The P.A.L.S. Program is a violence prevention program that addresses victimization of children with neurobiological disorders including ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or Tourette's Syndrome, ages 10-15, in Suffolk County. Children with these disorders share characteristics such as impairments in the social, emotional and cognitive domains that make them vulnerable to significant prejudice, harassment, bullying and, in some cases to becoming the perpetrators of violence themselves. P.A.L.S. uses community service learning projects as vehicles for teaching disabled and non-disabled kids to work together under trained staff.

Advocate – Long Island DDSO Family Support Services Consumer Council Needs You. 
        Parents of children with a developmental disability are needed to participate on the Family Support Consumer Council to develop and monitor family support services for Long Island. 
        The Family Support Consumer Council works in partnership with the Long Island DDSO to develop and monitor policies, services and supports to enhance a family's ability to provide in-home care to their family member with a developmental disability. Services range from counseling and training, respite, recreation, to family reimbursement for the purchases of goods and services. For further information, please call the Long Island Family Support Consumer Council at 434-6073.

LONG ISLAND AREA EVENTS

LONG ISLAND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES SERVICE OFFICE (LIDDSO) Informational Meetings on Services
Multi-Purpose Room
415 A Oser Avenue
Hauppauge, NY 11788 
           The LIDDSO will be holding Informational meeting for Parents and Professionals on OMRDD Services. The topics will include Eligibility, Family Support Services, Transition, MSC, Home & Community Based Waiver, Residential Services and Self Determination. To register call Joan Ryan at the LIDDSO 631-434-6160.

The meetings will be held on the following dates:

October 15, 2008                      10:00 AM  – 12:00 PM   Day
November 18, 2008                  7:00 PM  –   9:00 PM   Evening

Medicaid Service Coordination (MSC) for Families - Getting the Most from your Child's Program

Are you getting the most from your child's service coordination program?  Do you understand what your rights are under MSC?  Do you know what to look for when choosing a service coordinator?

MSC for Families is designed to inform families about how MSC works and to explain their rights under the program.  By being informed, you and your child's service coordinator can become partners in advocating for and gaining access to necessary services and supports for your child. 

Family members who wish to register for this class may do so by calling Mary Jo Hebert at 1-800-305-8817.  In addition, we are also available to present trainings on MSC at conferences, support groups, or meetings.  Call today to schedule a training for your group or organization.

Now Available By Video Conference at your local Developmental Disabilities Services Office (DDSO) in the city or town indicated in the list below:

June 2, 2008
10 - 12

Bernard Fineson - Queens
Western NY - Perrysburg
Sunmount - Plattsburgh
Long Island - Commack
Finger Lakes - Rochester
Central NY - Rome
Broome - Oneonta
Taconic - Poughkeepsie
Capital District - Schenectady
Staten Island - Staten Island

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