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Virtual Learning Sessions

Register Now for Upcoming Sessions

Wednesday, November 11, at 12 p.m. – Part 3

Event Description: Many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) take medications to help with mental health, behavior, or emotional well-being. Families, self-advocates, and professionals often have questions about how these medications work, their benefits, possible side effects, and whether they are still needed over time.

This three-part webinar series will help participants better understand psychiatric medications and make informed decisions about their use. The sessions will discuss how health concerns, communication challenges, sensory needs, and environmental factors can affect behavior. Participants will learn about medication risks, side effects, medication reviews, and ways to work together with healthcare providers to support safe, person-centered care.

The series focuses on self-advocacy, informed decision-making, and practical strategies to support the health, safety, and quality of life of people with IDD.

Presenter: Dr. Holly Brown, DNP, RN, PMHNP-BC, PMHCS, Executive Director, Golisano Institute for Developmental Disability Nursing, St. John Fisher University

Part 3 – Detecting Side Effects and Safely Reducing Medications
Event Description: Knowing whether a medication is helping, causing harm, or no longer needed is critical. The final session covers how to track medication safety and protect overall quality of life.

In this session, you will learn:

  • How to spot common side effects, including weight changes, restlessness, involuntary muscle movements, or sluggishness.
  •  How to tell the difference between a side effect and a behavioral concern.
  • How to participate in regular medication reviews to ensure every drug remains necessary.
  • How to work with providers to slowly and safely lower or stop medications to reduce unnecessary drug burdens.

Click to Register for the November Session

Event Description: Planning for the future is one of the most important steps families can take to protect their loved ones and ensure their wishes are honored. Join us for an informative session that will provide an overview of the key components of estate planning, including powers of attorney, health care proxies, living wills, last wills and testaments, beneficiary designations, and various types of trusts. In this session we will discuss why it is important to keep estate planning documents current, strategies for avoiding probate, and how tools such as Supplemental Needs Trusts can help provide for a family member with a disability while preserving eligibility for benefits such as Medicaid. The session will offer practical information to help individuals and families plan confidently for the future.

Presenter: Tania Anderson

What You’ll Learn:

    • The key estate planning documents every family should understand and why they matter.
    • How trusts, beneficiary designations, and probate-avoidance strategies can help protect assets and simplify the transfer of wealth.
    • How Supplemental Needs Trusts can support a family member with a disability while preserving eligibility for benefits such as Medicaid and SSI.

Click to Register for this Session

Event Description: Supporting a loved one with a developmental disability as they become more independent can be both rewarding and challenging. This presentation explores practical strategies for helping young adults build self-confidence, decision-making skills, self-advocacy, and everyday life skills. Participants will learn how to gradually shift from being the primary advocate and decision-maker to serving as a coach and trusted source of support, while encouraging greater independence and self-determination.

Presenter: Debbie Goddard, Family and Community Educator- Community Support Network at Westchester Institute of Human Development (WIHD)

What You’ll Learn:

    • How to encourage greater independence and confidence in your family member
    • Ways to support self-advocacy, decision-making, and everyday life skills
    • Practical strategies for gradually increasing responsibilities at home and in the community
    • How to move from being the primary decision-maker to a supportive coach and guide

Click to Register for this Session

Event Description: Sexuality is a natural part of life, and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have the same rights to education, exploration, and healthy relationships as anyone else. This session is designed to empower families, caregivers, and professionals to navigate an often-overlooked topic with sensitivity and confidence. Together, we’ll explore strategies for fostering open communication, addressing misconceptions, and promoting safe, respectful experiences. By the end of this webinar, you’ll gain tools to support autonomy and inclusivity while ensuring the well-being of those you support.

Presenter: Dr. Craig Escudé, MD, FAAFP, FAADM, FAAIDD

Click to Register for this Session

Event Description: Self-Direction is a service that gives people with disabilities and their families more choice and control over the supports they receive. In this session, attendees will learn how Self-Direction works, who is eligible, and how it can be used to create a personalized plan based on an individual’s goals, interests, and needs. We will break down the key steps, roles, and resources involved in Self-Direction, helping families and caregivers better understand how to navigate the process and make informed decisions about supports and services.

Presenter: Donna Febo, Independent Support Broker

What You’ll Learn

  • What Self-Direction is and how it can support greater choice and independence
  • Who is eligible for Self-Direction and how to get started
  • The roles of the Care Manager, Support Broker, Fiscal Intermediary, and caregivers
  • How a Self-Direction budget can be used to support personal goals, community involvement, and everyday needs

Questions? Contact Member Relations.

Translations Available

Real-time written translations in Spanish, simplified Chinese, traditional Chinese, and other languages will be provided.
Traducción escrita en tiempo real disponible en Español.
提供中文实时书面翻译。
提供中文實時書面翻譯。