Message from Executive Director

Dear Family and Friends of CIDA:
Greetings!
As we’ve announced through the announcements, September is filled with very exciting events including Very Special Art Festival and Parent groups meetings. Please join us to show the power of making community together!

The Housing Workshop that originally planned in this fall will be rescheduled in winter as CIDA is not collaborating with NYS DDPC to develop a housing training project that meets the needs of our community. We are very excited about this news and will inform you as the project progress further.

In addition, CIDA, as a Federally funded Parent Center, is working with the NYS legislators to improve the NYS Special Education laws, such as parental rights on informed about Alternative Assessment. We would greatly appreciate your attention and suggestions on this matter as well.

We wish everyone a beautiful and happy September and look forward to see you at the Art Festival on September 21.

Young Seh Bae, Ph.D.
Executive Director

Policy News

IEP Meetings Warrant Time Off From Work, Labor Department Says
Source: https://www.disabilityscoop.com

In response to an inquiry from a parent, the federal agency said that employees can qualify for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act if their presence at an IEP meeting is significant in providing care for their children. A parent was granted FMLA leave from her employer to attend medical appointments for their two children. However, her employer denied a request to attend special education meetings. Based on the information, the Labor Department’s Wage and Hour Division determined that the parent had a “qualifying reason for taking an FMLA leave.”

FDA Warns Of Life-Threatening Side Effects From Supposed Autism Treatment
Source: https://www.disabilityscoop.com

Federal officials are warning against the usage of a dangerous product that is being named as a treatment for autism and other conditions. The Food and Drug Administration says that consumers should not purchase or drink products called Miracle or Master Mineral Solution, Miracle Mineral Supplement, MMS, Chlorine Dioxide (CD) Protocol, Water Purification Solution or anything similar. MMS is not FDA approved. The products are often promoted on social media as a cure for everything from autism to cancer, HIV/AIDS, and the flu, the agency said.

What’s Up at CIDA

Transition Program @ CIDA

Starting September 16, CIDA launches a transition program designed for individuals with exceptional needs to develop independent living and self-determination skills. This program is a non-credit bearing transition program for individuals with IDD, or exceptional needs who have already completed their K-12 educational program. The program goals and activities are focused on developing independent living and community skills that support vocational and employment outcomes for participants. For more information, visit https://cidainfo.com/community-classes/, or call Dr. Bae, Executive Director at 718-224-8197 (ext 3).

CIDA Journalist Project
CIDA will begin a Journalist Project with teens and young adults with disabilities. The purpose of this project is to increase social, political and community engagement of youths and young adults with disabilities through reading, writing, research and speaking activities using local media and our own newsletter and SNS. The program is volunteer-based and all activity hours will be credited and community contribution. Stay tuned for recruiting announcement.

Events

Very Special Art Festival
CIDA will be holding the annual Very Special Art Festival 2019 on Saturday, September 21.

September 13th is the last day to register!
For more information and registration, click here: https://cidainfo.com/very-special-art-festival/

• September 10 – Parent Group – September Support Meeting
• September 17 – Understanding Your Child’s IEP – Workshop
• September 21 – 2019 Very Special Art Festival

For registration to the above events in September and for more information click here: https://cidainfo.com/events/2019-09/