October 10, 2023, 7:00 – 8:15 p.m.
When the Local Public School is Not Enough: Exploring the Need For An Out of District Placement
Featuring Hillary Freeman, Esq.
What happens when the local public school cannot meet a child’s academic, behavioral or social/emotional needs?
Join us as Hillary discusses topics including least restrictive environment; accommodations, modifications and supports in public schools; the full range of placement options; demonstrating the need for out of district services; researching schools; writing the IEP; and planning the eventual return to district.
Register in advance for this meeting:
Passcode: QGC!b#0?
About our presenter
Hillary Freeman, Esq. is an attorney and national speaker in special education matters in the law. As the sister of a man with Autism, she combines personal experience with her legal training to help families advocate for services and supports. For more information, email hillary@freemanlawoffices.com, or call 609-454-5609.
Hillary Freeman, Esq.
November 14, 2023, 7:00 – 8:15 p.m.
Transition Planning: Keeping the Dream Alive
Featuring Jerisa Chiumbu-Maseko, FLE, MHFA, CMHC
Worried about what lies ahead in high school and beyond? Jerisa Maseko, Director of The Arc of New Jersey’s Planning for Adult Life program, shares insights and expertise. Learn about the ‘nuts and bolts’ of planning the transition from school to adult life, as well as successful strategies to engage students in self advocacy around the outcomes THEY want, and ways to keep focused on meaningful employment – and not settling for work that is unfulfilling or dead end jobs.
Register in advance for this meeting:
Passcode: .*Jo#08=
Presentation Materials:
Jerisa Chiumbu-Maseko, FLE, MHFA, CMHC
About Our Speaker
Jerisa Chiumbu-Maseko, FLE, M HFA, CHHC is the Director of Planning for Adult Life at The Arc of New Jersey. JMaseko@arcnj.org. 732-828-0972.
December 12, 2023, 7:00 – 8:15 p.m.
Executive Function: Best Practices for Skill Development to Foster Learning & Socialization
Featuring Dr. Michael Selbst
Does your child struggle with organizing, planning, prioritizing, attention, memory, starting and completing tasks, self-monitoring, flexibility, and emotional regulation? Join us as Dr. Michael Selbst talks about Executive Function skills. Executive Function skills are critical for success at school, home, the community, the workplace, and in social relationships. He will help attendees understand an individual’s strengths and weaknesses in these areas, identify factors that are getting in the way of one’s success, and describe strategies and interventions that can be implemented as part of a comprehensive plan.
Register in advance for this meeting:
Passcode: 8^r?M^W1
Presentation Materials:
Executive Function: Best Practices for Skill Development to Foster Learning & Socialization
Dr. Michael Selbst
About Our Speaker
Michael C. Selbst, Ph.D., BCBA-D is the Executive Director of Behavior Therapy Associates. A Licensed Psychologist, Certified School Psychologist, and Board Certified Behavior Analyst at the Doctoral level, he has extensive experience evaluating and treating pre-school aged children through adults, consulting with schools, and has led numerous workshops, including at local, statewide, national, and international conferences.
January 9, 2024, 7:00 – 8:15 PM
What Happened to My IEP?: Transitioning to the College Setting with Appropriate Accommodations
Featuring Andrew Meltzer, Esq.
The college acceptance letters have arrived, but many students with disabilities are surprised to learn that there are no IEPs in college. Students need to be able to identify their own challenges and exercise self-advocacy skills to secure appropriate accommodations. This dynamic process is rarely a ‘one and done’ experience and must be adjusted and renewed with each semester. In this program, Andrew Melzer shares steps and strategies to help ensure a more seamless and successful transition from high school to college.
Register in advance for this meeting:
Passcode: k0$wc28?
Andrew Meltzer, Esq.
About Our Speaker
Andrew Meltzer is a special education attorney and advocate with Sussan, Greenwald & Wexler. He knows on a deeply personal level the challenges families of children with special needs encounter because he was a classified student with learning differences. Mr. Meltzer’s goal is to help students with special needs attain the success in school and life they are capable of. His unique personal insights and professional experiences in special education law makes him a natural and effective advocate for his clients.
February 13, 2024, 7:00 – 8:15 p.m.
Dating, Relationships and Sexuality
Featuring Bobbie Gallagher, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Children and teens with disabilities are sexual beings, just like their peers. Parents and educators need to provide developmentally appropriate information so that children are not only safe, but also ready for the physical changes that adolescence brings, along with the feelings and emotions that go with it. In this program, parent and sexuality expert Bobbie Gallagher shares strategies and best practice to help children and teens – and their parents – prepare for this very normal part of growing up.
Register in advance for this meeting:
Passcode: tj$HB%p0
Presentation Materials:
Bobbie Gallagher, Ph.D., BCBA-D
About Our Speaker
Dr. Bobbie Gallagher is the mother of three children, two of whom have autism. The author of A Brick Wall: How a Boy with No Words Spoke to the World, Bobbie is an established national-level public speaker on topics involving autism, developmental disabilities, and sexuality for individuals with disabilities. She and her husband were both involved in the efforts leading to national legislation such as the Autism ASSURE Act and the Autism CARES Act.
March 12, 2024, 7:00 – 8:15 p.m.
IEP Basics: What Parents Need to Know to Be Full Participants
Featuring Denise Dimson Rekem, Esq., and Judith Weinstock, Esq.
Register in advance for this meeting:
Passcode: 2mJhH+8K
About our presenter
Denise Dimson Rekem, Esq., and Judith Weinstock, Esq., are attorneys in private practice at Parles Rekem, Attorneys at Law. Both focus on the representation of individuals with special needs and their families in the areas of early intervention, special education, transition and adult services, residential placements, guardianships, bullying and discipline. Learn more at https://www.parlesrekem.com, or call: 973-564-0055.
Denise Dimson Rekem, Esq.
Judith Weinstock, Esq.
April 16, 2024, 7:00 – 8:15 p.m.
Telling Our Stories: Family Voices & Perspective
Featuring Joanne DeSimone, Iris Mehler, MS. CRS, Alma Schneider, LCSW, and Niya Wright
Increasingly, family members of people with disabilities are sharing their stories about living with and loving a child or sibling with disabilities. Honest, unvarnished storytelling creates connection, deepens the public’s understanding of the disability experience, and allows people with disabilities to see themselves in the world and know that their lives matter. Join us as four family members describe how sharing their lived experiences connects people in unexpected ways.
Register in advance for this meeting:
Passcode: 8jI*vDK&
Joanne DeSimone
Alma Schneider, LCSW
Iris Mehler, MS. CRS
Niya Wright
About Our Speakers
Joanne De Simone is a special education advocate for the Alliance of Private Special Education Schools of North Jersey and the mother of two sons with disabilities. She holds a masters degree in Special Education. Creator of Special-EducationMom.com, her writing has appeared in the Washington Post, Exceptional Parent Magazine, and the Rumpus, among other publications. Her memoir, Fall and Recovery: Raising Children with Disabilities through Lessons Learned in Dance (She Writes Press, 2024) is due out August 2024.
Niya Wright is a former production manager and writer for the Emmy Winning children’s show, Ada Twist, Scientist, on Netflix. Prior to that, she worked at Disney ABC Television, where she was a writers’ assistant for the daytime soap opera, General Hospital. She holds a BA in Communications from Loyola Marymount University. Niya is also the proud sister of Nassan, a young man with autism. Nassan is the inspiration for the game changing 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by Niya and Nassan’s mother, Nadine Wright-Arbubakrr. Nassan’s Place is making a difference in the lives of children and families affected by autism in and around under-served inner city communities by providing educational and recreational programs, social outings, resources and so much more. Nadine’s passion to share Nassan and their family’s story with autism to help others is a constant example and inspiration to Niya.
Alma Schneider is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with nearly three decades of practice under her belt. She has been facilitating weekly support groups for close to five hundred parents of children with disabilities for the last thirteen years, is the founder of the Montclair Disability Pride Parade, and is an appointed member of the People with Disabilities Committee for the town of Montclair, NJ. Alma is co-founder of the podcast, 2 moms no fluff and the consulting company, 1in6 Consulting. Alma has four children, one of whom has Prader-Willi Syndrome, Autism and ADHD.
Iris Mehler holds a Master of Science degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, with a post graduate certification in Assistive Technologies. She has more than two decades of experience working with children and adults with disabilities and supporting communities and organizations in their efforts to become more inclusive to people of all abilities. She is an appointed member of the Midland (MI) Access to Community Committee. Iris is the co-host of the podcast 2 Moms No Fluff where she discusses the uncensored truth about raising children with disabilities. She is the Co-founder of 1in6 Consulting – helping organizations create a more inclusive workplace for employees caring for children with disabilities. Lastly, Iris is the proud mother of two children, one of whom has quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy and is non-verbal.
May 14, 2024, 7:00 – 8:15 p.m.
Securing the Future for Your Child with Special Needs: Financial and Estate Planning
Featuring Paul Prior, Esq., and Don Brown, ChFC, CASL
Sometimes, it feels like there are more questions than answers: Who will make decisions for my child when I am gone? Where will my child live? Who will make sure he is happy and safe? How much money is needed for a secure future? Do I really need an ‘estate plan’? Join us as Paul and Don answer these and other tough questions. They will offer a reassuring step-by-step plan to provide quality of life and a lifetime of care.
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About our presenters
Paul Prior, Esq., is the brother of a man with autism. He is a partner with Hinkle, Prior and Fischer, a law firm specializing in disability law. Learn more at http://hinkle1.com, email Paul at paul@hinkle1.com, or call 609-896-4200.
Donald T. Brown, ChFC, ChSNC, CASL, has been in the financial services industry for 30+ years and has earned the Chartered Special Needs Consultant designation. Learn more at https://www.specialneedsfundingcoach.com, email Don at dtbrown@nlgroupmail.com, or call 848-200-7148.
Paul Prior, Esq.
Don Brown, ChFC, CASL