A free six-part workshop for parents of children with special needs starts tomorrow at the Rockland Community College Spring Valley Extension, 185 N. Main St.

The sessions will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 6, 8, 15, 20 and 22.

“Education Rights and Responsibilities for Children with Special Needs” is the workshop title and it “will offer vital information on the ever-changing special education regulations and provide practical, positive ideas for improving your child’s educational plan,” workshop planners said.

These are the topics that’ll be up for discussion:
• New York State Education Laws & Regulations
• Least Restrictive Environment
• Independent Evaluations
• Behavioral Issues/FBA (Functional Behavioral Assessments)
• Components of an IEP (Individualized Education Program)
• Due Process
• Understanding Your Child’s Evaluations
• Innovative Approaches to CSE (Committee on Special Education) Meetings
• Creating Your Vision for Your Child
• Developing Mentoring Skills to Assist Other Families

Participants must attend all six sessions and advance registration is required. (I would have posted this sooner, but just got the press release today!)

To register, call Putnam Independent Living Services at 888-788-6268 and ask for Rita Casey. For more information on this or other workshops, ask for Joy Drummond.
This workshop series is sponsored by The Putnam Independent Living Services’ Parent Training Program and funded by The Advocacy Center’s Parent Training and Information Grant.

Co-sponsors include: Camp Venture Inc.; Jesse Kaplan PTA; VCS-Rockland Student Advocacy; Nyack SEPTA; Clarkstown SEPTA; Rockland Community College, Spring Valley Extension; Child Care Resources of Rockland Inc.

Presenters include:
• Nicole Deflorio, Regional Training Specialist – Southern Westchester BOCES
• Joy Drummond, LMSW, MAT, Parent Training Coordinator -Putnam Independent Living Services
• Barbara Ebenstein, attorney and parent
• Sharon Eisenson, parent and special education teacher
• Kim Gardinier, New York State Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities
• Arno Kolz, Ph.D., psychologist and parent
• Suzanne Peretz, M.S. Ed., director, Early Childhood Direction Center
• Robin Stiebel, attorney- Legal Services of the Hudson Valley.