Online and Phone Family Support Group
2022-03-15 18:30 - 19:30, 2022-03-17 10:00 - 11:00, 2022-03-22 18:30 - 19:30, 2022-03-24 10:00 - 11:00, 2022-03-29 18:30 - 19:30, 2022-03-31 10:00 - 11:00, 2022-04-05 18:30 - 19:30, 2022-04-07 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) and 4 more dates | NY
Online and Phone Family Support Group
At Family Resource Network, we recognize that during these difficult times, families of individuals with special needs are facing unique challenges and may feel even more isolated While we can’t meet in-person to support one another, we invite you to join us for online support groups. These will be conducted through Zoom Meetings, and families may participate online or by phone. We are offering these groups as an opportunity for families to form connections, support, and learn from each other. We will be offering two groups per week: one morning and one evening.
Registration is required.
Registration Link
For questions, or to participate by phone, please call Terry at (607)438-3978.
***Support Groups are funded by a grant from the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities. Self-directing families will need to add “training groups” to their budgets. Please contact Robin at (607)287-6358 for assistance adding this program to your budget.

Autism Conference: Supporting Your Child to Meet Their Goals for Autonomy
2022-03-16 09:00 - 12:00 | NY
Conference: “Supporting Your Child to Meet Their Goals for Autonomy”
Wednesday, March 16
9:00am-Noon
Online
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
REGISTER HERE
The ultimate goal of parenthood is to prepare your child for adulthood. Individuals with developmental disabilities may need more help, but we can still support them to make their own choices and direct their own lives. Whether you are the parent of a young child or an adult who wants to be more independent, this conference will help you teach your child to be autonomous.

Learn about:

What is autonomy, and how do we support it?
Self-Advocacy
What is your child’s role?
What is your role?
Supporting your child to set and achieve goals
Creating a plan

Our Presenters:
Noor Syed, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA/LBS
Lauren Allen, Ph.D., BCBA-D, NCSP

***This training is funded by the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities. Self-Directing families will need to add “Autism Training” to their budgets. Please contact Robin at (607)287-6358 for assistance adding this program to your budget.***

Your Due Process Rights: What to do When You Don't Agree
2022-03-23 18:00 - 20:00 | NY
“Your Due Process Rights: What to Do When you Don’t Agree”
Wednesday, March 23
6:00-8:00 pm
Online
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
REGISTER HERE
You’ve had your child’s IEP meeting, or possibly several, but you just don’t agree with the school’s plan for your child. What now? Education advocates Robin Piefer and Terry DiLuzio will explain your Due Process rights and discuss:

Positive Steps for Conflict Resolution
Identifying Your Priorities
Requesting an Independent Educational Evaluation
Mediation
Filing a Complaint
Impartial Hearings

***This training is funded by the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities. Self-Directing families will need to add “Advocacy” to their budgets. Please contact Robin at (607)287-6358 for assistance adding this program to your budget.***

TS/DD Virtual Cook-a-Long: Pizza Party!
2022-03-28 17:00 - 18:30 | Zoom Video Conference, NY, United States
Please join the Family Resource Network Teen Scene and Dragon Dates Programs for our upcoming event:
Virtual Cook-a-Long: Pizza Party!
Monday, March 28th
5:00pm-6:30pm
Online via ZOOM
The Family Resource Network is excited for this month’s virtual cook-a-long! We strive to be youth and family driven and our theme for the month of March was requested by several of our Teen Scene and Dragon Dates members! FRN will lead participants through two pizza recipes including English Muffin Pizzas and Pizza Bites and we will supply the ingredients! Please register by Wednesday, March 23rd in order to receive your free supply kit. If you live within 10 miles of the Family Resource Network office it can be delivered. If you live farther away, you can schedule a time to pick up the kit.
Registration is required. To register please follow the link below:
Registration Form
The age range for Teen Scene events has been expanded and these will be open to any school aged youth in Otsego, Delaware and Chenango County. Dragon Dates events are for individuals with OPWDD eligibility living in the family home in Broome, Chenango, Otsego, Delaware, Tioga or Tompkins County.
Questions? Call FRN at 607-432-0001 and ask for Kristin

TS/DD Virtual Seed Starting
2022-04-04 17:00 - 18:30 | Zoom Video Conference, NY, United States
Please join the Family Resource Network Teen Scene and Dragon Dates Programs for our upcoming event:
Virtual Seed Starting!
Monday, April 4th
5:00pm-6:30pm
Online via ZOOM
We are so excited for Spring! Are you and your family thinking about having a garden this year? Now is the perfect time to begin starting seeds indoors for vegetable plants such as tomatoes and peppers if you plan to grow these from seeds yourself! Tonight we will go over how to begin tomato and pepper seeds indoors. We will also discuss transplanting guidelines and other tips and tricks for your seedlings. We will cover the difference between container gardening vs. planting directly in the ground and help you decide which is best for you! FRN will be providing seed packets and other needed growing supplies for all participants who register by March 25th.
Registration is required. To register please follow the link below:
Registration Form
The age range for Teen Scene events has been expanded and these will be open to any school aged youth in Otsego, Delaware and Chenango County. Dragon Dates events are for individuals with OPWDD eligibility living in the family home in Broome, Chenango, Otsego, Delaware, Tioga or Tompkins County.
Questions? Call FRN at 607-432-0001 and ask for Kristin.

Summer Camps for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
2022-04-06 18:00 - 20:00 | NY
Summer Camps for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
Wednesday, April 6
6:00-8:00 pm
Online
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
REGISTER HERE
Are you looking for a summer program for your loved one with a developmental disability? Join Family Resource Network for presentations by camp programs from around NY state, including day camps, sleep-away camps, and family camps. Learn about what to expect, how to apply, and funding options for camp.
***This training is funded by the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities. Self-Directing families will need to add “Training Groups” to their budgets. Please contact Robin at (607)287-6358 for assistance adding this program to your budget.***

Discipline and Suspension: Understanding the Rights of Students with Disabilities
2022-04-08 09:00 - 11:00 | NY
Discipline and Suspension: Understanding the Rights of Students with Disabilities
Friday, April 8
9:00-11:00 am
Online
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
REGISTER HERE
Did you know there is a difference between general discipline procedures and discipline procedures for students who have disabilities? Children who have disabilities have specific rights under state and federal laws when it comes to suspensions and school discipline. This workshop will provide an overview of these rights and the process used for discipline and suspensions. Participants will learn about Functional Behavioral Assessments and how to create a proactive behavior management plan to help avoid future conflict.
Presenter: Kara Georgi
Kara Georgi is the Parent Education Specialist for Starbridge Parent Training and Information Center. She offers support and information for families and professionals navigating the special education system in Cayuga, Tompkins, Onondaga, Cortland, Broome, Chenango, Madison, Otsego, and Delaware Counties.
***This training is funded by the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities. Self-Directing families will need to add “Advocacy” to their budgets. Please contact Robin at (607)287-6358 for assistance adding this program to your budget.***

Helping Children Cope with Change, Grief, and Loss
2022-04-20 18:00 - 20:00 | NY
Helping Children Cope with Change, Grief, and Loss
Wednesday, April 20
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Online
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
REGISTER HERE
This single session of the Nurturing Parenting for Parents of Children with Special Needs and Health Challenges will focus on …

Grief and Resilience
How to provide Transition Support for Grief – the five P’s
The Developmental Stages and Responses to Grief
Activities to help reinforce what you learn

This is an interactive workshop and participants are encouraged to keep their cameras and microphones on during the session with the presenters. We do understand that everyone has different comfort levels when it comes to the use of video conferencing.
Presenters: Robin Piefer and Terry DiLuzio, Nurturing Parenting Facilitators
The Nurturing Program for parents and Their Children with Special Needs and Health Challenges is designed to help families explore their hopes and fears, develop effective parenting skills, enhance communication, develop strategies for facing challenges and recognize opportunities for celebration and growth.
***This training is funded by the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities. Self-Directing families will need to add “Training Groups” to their budgets. Please contact Robin at (607)287-6358 for assistance adding this program to your budget.***

TS/DD Virtual Cook-a-Long: Rainbow Foods
2022-04-25 17:00 - 18:30 | Zoom Video Conference, NY, United States
Please join the Family Resource Network Teen Scene and Dragon Dates Programs for our upcoming event:
Virtual Cook-a-Long: Food Rainbows
Monday, April 25th
5:00pm-6:30pm
Online via ZOOM
The Family Resource Network is excited for this month’s virtual cook-a-long! With the beginning of Spring we thought it would be fun to incorporate rainbows in our food in April. FRN will lead participants through a Rainbow Pasta Salad recipe and we will supply the ingredients! Please register by Wednesday, April 20th in order to receive your free supply kit. If you live within 10 miles of the Family Resource Network office it can be delivered. If you live farther away, you can schedule a time to pick up the kit.
Registration is required. To register please follow the link below:
Registration Form
The age range for Teen Scene events has been expanded and these will be open to any school aged youth in Otsego, Delaware and Chenango County. Dragon Dates events are for individuals with OPWDD eligibility living in the family home in Broome, Chenango, Otsego, Delaware, Tioga or Tompkins County.
Questions? Call FRN at 607-432-0001 and ask for Kristin.

Online and Phone Family Support Group
2022-04-26 18:30 - 19:30, 2022-05-03 18:30 - 19:30, 2022-05-10 18:30 - 19:30, 2022-05-12 10:00 - 11:00, 2022-05-17 18:30 - 19:30 | Zoom Video Conference, NY, United States

Cancelled: Online and Phone Family Support Group
2022-04-28 10:00 - 11:00 | NY
Online and Phone Family Support Group will not be held this morning.

Autism Conference: Keeping Children and Adolescents with Autism Safe in an Increasingly Complex World
2022-04-29 09:00 - 12:00 | NY
Keeping Children and Adolescents with Autism Safe in an Increasingly Complex World
Friday, April 29
9:00 am – 12:00 p.m.
Online
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
REGISTER HERE
Safety awareness and safety skills are critical to teach for all children, including autistic children. This presentation will provide an overview of what is understood about safety risks in different situations and developmental periods for children and adolescents as well as what is known to be helpful and effective at maintaining safety in those situations. Specifically, we will review safety at home, in the community, and at school, including abuse identification and prevention. We will discuss elopement/wandering, a common concern of families of autistic children as well as considerations for increasing awareness and support by law enforcement and other emergency responders. This 3-hour long presentation will largely consist of case studies, interactive activities, and discussion of both general and specific strategies.
Topics Covered:

Safety risk factors and preventative strategies
Considerations for involving community and school in increasing safety
Abuse awareness and recognition
Law enforcement and emergency responders
Elopement/wandering

Jennifer Gillis Mattson, PhD is a Professor of Psychology and clinical psychologist at Binghamton University. She is the director of the Binghamton Regional Center for ASD, Institute for Child Development and the BU Education and Autism Research Project. She has over 20 years of experience in the field of autism, spanning from early childhood through young adulthood. Her recent research projects focus on training and burnout of therapy providers, stigma and bullying, and global inclusion practices in educational settings.
***This training is funded by the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities. Self-Directing families will need to add “Autism Training” to their budgets. Please contact Robin at (607)287-6358 for assistance adding this program to your budget.***

Online and Phone and Family Support Group
2022-05-05 10:00 - 11:00 | Zoom Video Conference, NY, United States

Attorney Training: Lease Restrictive Environment and Inclusion
2022-05-11 09:30 - 11:30 | Zoom Video Conference, NY, United States
Please Join the Family Resource Network for an Attorney Training on:
Least Restrictive Environment and Inclusion
Wednesday, May 11, 2022
9:30-11:30 am
Online
Your child with a disability has the right to a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). This means that schools must, to the maximum extent appropriate, educate students with special needs in the regular classroom along with their non-disabled peers in the same school they would attend if they did not have special needs (Inclusion).
About our Speaker: Patrick G. Radel, Esq. is a partner with the law firm of Getnick Livingston Atkinson and Priore, LLP, in Utica, New York. He received his law degree summa cum laude from the University at Buffalo Law School, where he served as Executive Editor of the Buffalo Law Review. Mr. Radel’s practice includes representing families of students with disabilities at CSE meetings, due process proceedings, and in federal court.
***Registration Required***
To register online please follow the link below:
Registration Form
To register by phone, call the Family Resource Network at 432-0001.
***This training is provided through a grant from OPWDD. Self-directing families must add “Advocacy” to their budgets prior to attending. Please contact Robin at (607)287-6358 for assistance adding this program to your self-direction budget.***

Nurturing Parenting Training: Helping Children Cope with Change, Grief, and Loss
2022-05-18 06:00 - 20:00 | Zoom Video Conference, NY, United States
Please join the Family Resource Network for a training on:
Helping Children Cope with Change, Grief, and Loss
Presenters: Robin Piefer and Terry DiLuzio, Nurturing Parenting Facilitators
This single session of the Nurturing Parenting for Parents of Children with Special Needs and Health Challenges will focus on:

Grief and Resilience
How to provide Transition Support for Grief – the five P’s
The Developmental Stages and Responses to Grief
Activities to help reinforce what you learn

The Nurturing Program for parents and Their Children with Special Needs and Health Challenges is designed to help families explore their hopes and fears, develop effective parenting skills, enhance communication, develop strategies for facing challenges and recognize opportunities for celebration and growth.
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
6-8 pm
Online
This is an interactive workshop and participants are encouraged to keep their cameras and microphones on during the session with the presenters. We do understand that everyone has different comfort levels when it comes to the use of video conferencing.
***Registration Required***
To register online, please follow the link below. To register by phone, call the Family Resource Network at 432-0001.
Registration Form
***This training is funded by the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities. Self-Directing families will need to add “Training Groups” to their budgets. Please contact Robin at (607)287-6358 for assistance adding this program to your budget.***
