Message from Executive Director

Members, Friends, and Collaborators of CIDA,

I cannot believe Thanksgiving is only three weeks away! On Thanksgiving this year, I am sure that all the family members we miss will gather to celebrate our resilience during the last two challenging years.

At CIDA, all staff members are working 100% face-to-face, and youth programs are already being conducted in-person as well. As the new board of directors and youth cooperative projects have begun, we are busier than ever. In particular, CIDA is resuming the policy change and special education rights advocacy activities that we have been working on since before the pandemic. We began to convene meetings with all the parent centers in New York State to discuss various problems with the alternative assessment in New York’s school systems.

As many things return to our daily lives, I hope that your homes and workplaces will become safer and more joyous in the holidays to come.

We wish you a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving!

Young Seh Bae, Executive Director

Policy News

The U.S. Department of Education released Return to School Roadmap: Development and Implementation of IEP in the Least Restrictive Environment Under IDEA.

The purpose of the Return to School Roadmap IDEA guidance documents is to support the full implementation of IDEA requirements. The document also clarifies that regardless of the COVID-19 pandemic, or the mode of instruction, children with disabilities are entitled to FAPE, and infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families to appropriate IDEA Part C services. The entire document is available here.

New York State Education Department Hosts Stakeholder Involvement Meetings in November.
Source: www.nysed.gov

NYSED will be conducting virtual stakeholder meetings in November 2021 and collecting input using online surveys for all 17 indicators including Assessment, Least Restrictive Environment, Disproportionality in Special Education by Race/Ethnicity, Early Childhood Transition, and etc. You can share your opinions with NYSED by participating in the surveys under the indicators that matter to you. Korean language is available. Access the surveys via this link.

All NYC public school families can get up to a $50 monthly internet credit — while the money lasts.
Source: https://ny.chalkbeat.org/

All families with children in New York City public schools are eligible for discounted internet and devices thanks to a temporary federal program, yet only a fraction of eligible households appear to have signed up for the six-month-old program. The program will last “when the fund runs out of money” or six months after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declares an end to the pandemic. You can apply for the fund via this link.

What’s Up at CIDA

Welcome Aboard: Joeun Huh Joins CIDA as the Operation Manager

Please join us in welcoming Joeun Huh to CIDA! Joeun Huh lives in Long Island with her Mr. Wonderful. She graduated from Tufts University, majored in fine arts, and attended Pratt institute in fine arts for a year. She has completed a painting certification at the Art Student League of New York. With a strong background in art and learning, she will assist and show good teamwork at CIDA. As the Operation Manager, Joeun will ensure all our initiatives and projects run smoothly. We are thrilled to have Joeun, and she is excited to be working with CIDA families.

New Board Members

CIDA welcomes four new directors who started their terms this fall. The new board members are Mrs. Nichole Park, Mrs. Amy Jung, Mrs. Engen Lee and Mrs. Alexandra Han. All four members are parents of children with disabilities and deeply understand both the issues of current special education and employment for our youth and young adults. Under the current leadership of Mr. John Jahng, the Board Chair, we anticipate that the board directors will actively engage in outreach, fundraising and financial oversight for CIDA.

Events

Please check our event calendar for event details and registration information.

• Individualized EducParent Teacher Conference Preparation Workshop (Online) – Nov 4 at 12:30pm: Parents of School Age Children (Age 5 -16)

• School Parent Support Group for School Age Children (IN-PERSON) – Nov 15 at 10:30 am, CIDA Office, Parents of School Age Children (Age 5 -16).

• Dolbom & Social Cooperative Committee Meeting – November 12, 10:00 am (In-person, Invitation only)

• Mindfulness Session (Free Group Therapy Session by KCS) – November 18, 10:00 am (Online): All parents.

• Volunteer Advocacy Program In-Person Bootcamp (Invitation Only) – November 19 at 10:00 am, CIDA Office: New VAP members.