💖Love Matters💖

Message from Executive Director

Members, Friends, and Collaborators of CIDA,

As stores are decorated with hearts and cupids and stocked with boxes of chocolate, I can’t help but to reflect on the ultimate form of love: parents’ love for their children. I am always so touched to see how hard parents try to be the best version of themselves and learn the most they can to help their children thrive at schools, workplaces, and home.

We are well aware that parents cannot pour from empty cups, and that is why we focus on family empowerment. Recognizing the hardships that families are still dealing with due to the ongoing pandemic, we have launched new mental health support groups in collaboration with Korean Community Services (KCS). In addition to this new initiative, we will continue to offer parent workshops and support groups.

Here is to our families who love their children unconditionally and celebrate their children for who they are. And here’s to our partners who are working relentlessly for every person to be accepted, included, and celebrated.

Happy Lunar New Year and Happy Valentine’s Day!

Sincerely,

Young Seh Bae, Executive Director

Policy News

NYC to Open New School for Students with Dyslexia.

New York City officials are planning to open a new school focused on serving students with dyslexia, Chancellor David Banks announced during a virtual, education-focused state budget hearing. Learn More.

Asian and Black Children with Disabilities Left Behind Amid NYC’s Universal Preschool Push

Advocates of Children of New York (AFC) released an analysis of 2019-2020 city data showing that more than 30,000 preschool students with disabilities are being served. The analysis revealed that Black and Asian preschool students were less likely to be identified for services than their White peers, and that one in three preschool students with disabilities didn’t get all of their mandated services. Full Report Available (AFC, 2022).

U.S. Surgeon General Issues Advisory on Youth Mental Health Crisis Further Exposed by COVID-19 Pandemic.

The Surgeon General’s advisory calls for a swift and coordinated response to this crisis as the nation continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. The advisory provides recommendations for individuals, families, community organizations, technology companies, governments, and others to take to improve the mental health of children, adolescents and young adults. Full Report Available.

What’s Up at CIDA

Mental Health Support with Korean Community Services

In collaboration with Korean Community Services (KCS), CIDA has launched a small-group mental health support program. The participants will meet once a month for an hour to learn how to recognize their feelings and learn about different techniques in caring for their mental health. The first meeting of the first cohort kicked off January 28th, and this cohort will stay together until the end of April. CIDA plans to host two more cohorts this year, and the next cohort (May) registration will open in April.

MeThrift Shop: Social Co-op members’ first project!

The members have decided on their social co-op name, and it is CoSpire! Combining two words, collaborate and inspire, and carrying the brand value of ‘inspiring the world together,’ CoSpire! was born. The first business project of CoSpire! is a pop up thrift shop on March 11th and 12th.

Members are working hard to launch a pop-up thrift shop at CIDA, and they need your help. If you have new or unused items (limited to light apparel, kitchen items, accessories, gaming devices, and home decor) that you wish to donate for the members to sell, please bring them to the CIDA office. Please call 718-224-8197 Ext.1 during the business hours (Monday-Friday 9am to 4pm), and we will meet you at your car or outside of the building to receive the donations.

You can also support CoSpire! by coming to the shop on March 11 or March 12. Stay tuned for more detailed information about the thrift shop.

We are also seeking volunteers to help with CoSpire! current and future projects. If you are interested in joining the members’ in-person meeting once or twice a week. Please email cida@cidainfo.com with the subject line, “Volunteer for CoSpire!”

Events

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic, all events are now online. Please check our event calendar for event details and registration information.

• Understanding Kindergarten IEP with Advocate for Children of NY (Korean: Online) – February 3 at 12:30 pm: Korean speaking parents of young children with IEP, turning 5. Register here. 
• February Support Group Meeting (Online) – Feb 17 at 11 am: Parents and guardians of infant and school age children. Register here
• Behavioral Support, FBA and Behavioral Intervention Plans(BIP) – Feb 24 at 12:30 pm: Parents/Guardians of School Age Children Register here
• Mental Health Support Group – Feb 25 at 10:00 am: Jan Cochort Only