Transition Coordinator, Ms. Doris Lopez coordinated a transition expo for Exceptional Learners in the Newburgh Enlarged City School District. The focus of the event was: Moving Beyond High School. The event included a series of workshops for students and their parents. After the workshops, participants were invited to gather information from several community organizations.

Workshops included:

Waiver services through OPWDD

Presented by Taconic Innovations

Participants had the opportunity to learn about waiver services available such as in-home respite, community habilitation, day programs, ISS housing & Transportation services.

Disclosing my Disability to my Employer

Presented by SUNY Orange BRIDGES Program

Participants had the opportunity to how to self-advocate on the job.

Graduation pathways in NYS

Presented by Orange-Ulster BOCES

Participants had the opportunity to about all the NYS approved High School Graduation Pathways.

Ending the Silence

Presented by NAMI Orange County

Participants had the opportunity to gain mental health awareness in order to eliminate the stigma & discrimination attached to mental health conditions, early intervention & prevention.

How to Get Accomodations in College

Presented by SUNY Orange

Participants had the opportunity to learn about how to get their IEP/504 accommodations in college.

ACCES-VR (Adult Career & Continuing Education services-Vocational rehabilitation)

Presented by ACCES-VR

Participants had the opportunity to learn about services provided by ACCES-VR and the process for applying for services:

Transition to OPWDD Services

Benefits Advisement/Social security

Presented by Independent Living Inc.

Participants had the opportunity to learn about working with benefits and social security as well as an overview of OPWDD eligibility.

Guardianship

Presented by Mental Health Association in Orange County, Inc.

Participants had the opportunity to learn the definition and process to obtain Article 17A Guardianship for individuals with developmental disabilities through the Orange County Surrogate’s Court.

Healthy Relationships

Presented by Planned Parenthood of the Mid-Hudson Valley

Participants had the opportunity to learn through group activities and discussion about what a healthy relationship is and should look like. Topics include consent, boundaries and self-esteem.

Collaborating Organizations included: SUNY Orange, Orange-Ulster BOCES, Lincoln Tech, Independent Living Inc., Capabilities Partnership Inc., ACCES-VR, Taconic Innovations, SUNY BRIDGES, Professional Culinary Academy, Greystone Programs, Life Plan, Winslow Therapeutic Riding Center, Mental Health Association in OC, Planned Parenthood of the Mid-Hudson Valley, NYS OPWDD, Affinity Health Plan & more.

ATTENTION: Are your scholars or colleagues doing something great? Please contact the district Communications Team at communications@necsd.net. We’d love to visit your class or event and/or post your pictures and recap to highlight the amazing accomplishments throughout our district!