Parent Network of WNY

If you are a parent, family member, or caregiver of a loved one with disabilities or you suspect they have disabilities, this is the perfect space for you to get advice, support, be heard and understood, and connect with others.

If you are interested in joining a group, visit www.parentnetworkwny.org/events/

Ava, a 14-year-old who was born prematurely at just 24 weeks and spent six crucial weeks without amniotic fluid, faced significant challenges from the start. These early complications led to a series of disabilities, including dyslexia, auditory processing disorder, and physical impairments. Despite these hurdles, Ava’s story has been one of remarkable perseverance and gradual triumph.

Read her story today: https://parentnetworkwny.org/overcoming-obstacles-with-parent-network-of-wny/

FREE Downloadable and Printable Halloween Name Tags For Children With Special Needs - Parent Network of WNY Halloween can be an exciting but stressful and overwhelming night, especially for children who have special needs. Every year, Parent Network of WNY releases Halloween name tags for trick or treaters to have a better experience while trick or treating. The name tags can be safety pinned or tapped to...

Check out this Help Hub for Families: https://helphubforfamilies.ny.gov/

The Help Hub has resources for children with multiple needs. Find health, education, human services, and disability information for newborns through age 22.

Homepage - Help Hub for Families Find quality health, education, human services, and disability information for newborns to age 22.

Over the past 30 years, Parent Network of WNY has had countless impacts on thousands of parents and professionals resulting in students receiving a higher quality of special education services.

Our goal, as family members and experts in the field, is to continue the critical services Parent Network of WNY provides to the eight counties of WNY and are seeking additional funding opportunities.

Complete the survey by November 1st and be entered to win a gift card: https://tinyurl.com/48u6s738

Feeling overwhelmed as a parent? You're not alone! The U.S. Surgeon General’s new advisory reveals that 41% of parents feel too stressed to function most days.

EPIC, Mental Health Advocates of Western New York, and Parent Network of WNY are here to help! As part of the Care Management Coalition of WNY, we offer essential resources to support parents, caregivers, and children across Western New York.

From mental health to special needs and parenting, we’re here to reduce stress and build resilience in families.

Need support? Contact us: EPIC: (716) 332-4100 MHA: (716) 886-1242 Parent Network: (716) 332-4170

Want to learn more? Read the full Surgeon General’s report to see how we can better support parents and caregivers ➡️https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/priorities/parents/index.html

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Live Webinar on November 7: Conscious Dating with ADHD: How to Avoid Toxic Relationships and Find Your Ideal Match Register below for this webinar on dating with ADHD on Thursday, November 7, at 1pm ET. Sign up and receive the free webinar replay link as well!

People with I/DD want to be in relationships, but often struggle with just how to meet people. Lots of folks today are meeting people online, often through dating apps. How do we, professionals and family members, successfully support someone dating online? And what are some specific things to know about dating apps? This two-part online workshop will help you feel more confident that you can handle this topic.

Part One: Online Safety - November 1, 2024 from 10:00am-11:30am
This can be challenging for anyone, whether you're a person with I/DD or someone who supports them. For example, as a support person, you might be asking yourself: How can I help someone when I don't know anything about online dating or dating apps? What do I need to understand in order to be supportive in a positive way versus a fear-based way? What knowledge and skills are needed in order for people with I/DD to navigate safely dating online?

Part Two: Using the App - November 8, 2024 from 10:00am-11:30am
This second workshop assumes the person dating has chosen a dating app to work with, they’ve taken some measures to be aware of basic safety and common scams, and they’re signed up, ready to begin…but now what? In this workshop, we’ll explore the actual dating parts of online dating, such as how to set up an online profile more likely to help you date successfully. We’ll look at how to socialize successfully on the app, and how indeed to plan a date once you’ve found someone interesting. Importantly, we’ll also look at how to handle important emotional issues, like rejection, frustration, ghosting, and more. And further: we’ll also look at how to know if things have gone well, and what to do from there!

For more information and to register: https://nyalliance.org/meetinginfo.php?id=465&ts=1727800633

Halloween isn't easy for every child. The following tips will help families and the surrounding communities create more inclusive Halloween celebrations for children with special needs. 🎃

Theresa Drum, Director of Fund Development, and Kimberly Kadziolka, Executive Director, are at the Planetree Person Centered Care Forum in New Orleans this week to showcase Parent Network of WNY’s newest resource for families, The Heathcare Passport.

There was a lot of excitement about this from other conference attendees from all over the globe.

Click here to learn more about it: https://parentnetworkwny.org/health-and-wellness/

Something SPOOKTACULAR is headed our way! 🎃 🦇 👻

Tickets for HCFM's Halloween Spooktacular are on sale now!
Join HCFM for a fang-tastic time on October 19th and October 20th. There are limited tickets remaining so purchase your tickets today!

For more information and to purchase tickets go to: https://tinyurl.com/HCFMhalloween24

Planning for the future is especially important when you have a child with a disability.

This workshop provides parents or caregivers with an overview of things to think about: guardianship, wills, and trusts. The workshop will help you to understand your options as you begin to think about plans for your special needs child.

Register for the free virtual workshop: https://parentnetworkwny.org/events/how-to-protect-my-childs-future-through-guardianship-wills-trusts-5/

Do you have a child or loved one with a disability and are uneasy or unsure about their transition into adulthood?

Join Parent Network for our newest In-Person, multi session series that incorporates parents/caregivers and youth. Certain sessions the adults and youth join together, and in others, they spend time with their own age cohort!

Register for the first session on October 8th: https://parentnetworkwny.org/events/how-to-foster-support-self-determination/

This past summer, we were thrilled to host 3 fellows from The University at Buffalo’s Social Impact Fellows program. The 3 Social Impact Fellows placed at PNWNY were Ava Lockwood (School of Social Work), Prasiddhi Patel (School of Management) and Theo Ricardo (College of Arts and Sciences).

Our fellows were tasked with identifying families and children who would benefit from our services. The fellows worked with staff from PNWNY and key community partners to redesign a community needs assessment. This assessment, which targets not only families of children with special needs, but also professionals and community members who can potentially benefit the plethora of programs we offer.

Results of the assessment will be analyzed and used to fine tune current programming, design new and innovative programming, and to seek out funding to support the important work being done to address the needs of the WNY community.

We were so thankful to have Ava, Prasiddhi, and Theo with us for the summer and we wish them great success in their future. We are incredibly appreciative of the opportunity to be a part of the University at Buffalo’s Social Impact Fellows program and look forward to future opportunities.

If you have not taken the Community Needs Assessment, you can access it here: https://tinyurl.com/y8hf54d6

Parent Network of WNY always enjoys supporting our community partners!

Director of Fund Development, Theresa Drum, and Board of Directors member, Dr. Michelle Hartley McAndrew, attended the Variety - The Children’s Charity of Buffalo and WNY Annual Fashion Show this past weekend.

Variety - the Children's Charity of Buffalo & WNY has been a strong supporter of our newest initiative, our Healthcare Passport. Check it out here: https://parentnetworkwny.org/health-and-wellness/

Register: https://www.csevery1.com/easy-eats-for-every1/

Happy October! Check out some of our upcoming learning sessions for this month.

Visit our event calendar for more information or to register for any upcoming workshops: https://parentnetworkwny.org/events/

Calling All Parents & Caregivers!

Discover fun, educational tools for your little one’s growth with the Parent Network of WNY’s Early Childhood Library Series!

Join our partner for storytime, hands-on activities, and expert tips to support your child’s development!

Register now! https://parentnetworkwny.org/events/early-childhood-library-series-2/

Today is an important day to recognize.

🧡 National Truth & Reconciliation Day 🧡

As we close out September and step into October with excitement for the future, let’s take a moment to pause and reflect on National Truth and Reconciliation Day in the USA and Canada. This day is dedicated to honoring Indigenous communities and the survivors of residential schools, their families, and descendants. It’s a time for us to reflect, learn, and deepen our understanding as we all contribute to the healing and reconciliation journey. 🧡