Committee Attendee
Christina Muccioli; Lori Podvesor – Co-Chairs
Registration and Refreshments: 9:00 to 9:30 am
Meeting Convened:
Meeting commenced at 9:30 am.
Old Business
- Minutes of March 24, 2015 meeting were approved as read.
- Everyone in the room introduced themselves to the group.
- Christina Muccioli introduced herself and introduced new Co-Chair of the Committee
Lori Podvesker.
- Christina gave a brief history of the Manhattan DD Council and its mission. The Council web site address was provided to the attendees and she strongly urged membership to the Council and attendance to the Education/Children’s Committee.
- She provided some event updates of the Council and strongly talked about the Legislative Breakfast that was held at Barnes & Noble in March. She indicated that events and meetings of other committees are posted on the web site as well and on Facebook.
- She addressed some of the issues facing preschools providers and families, transition to public school, and transition from school to the adult world, and the lack of residential options for the adult population.
Presentation:
- Nick Chavarria, Lynnette Aqueron and Claire Donnellan from the NYCDOE made a presentation entitled, “Supporting Parents through the Special Education Process and beyond”. (attached)
- In great detail they went through all the stages of the process from referral to placement and provided the audience with placement options as well.
- They were highly receptive to the questions posed to them from the audience and took copious notes regarding concerns, suggestions and recommendation and promised to bring this information to the DOE to make the whole process less stressful for the parents.
- The three presenters, Nick, Lynn and Claire stayed beyond the scheduled meeting hours to continue the dialogue with parents and advocates
- At the completion of the presentation, the audience enthusiastically applauded Nick, Lynette and Claire for their presentation, receptivity and warmth. It was a highly successful meeting.
Meeting Adjourned:
- Meeting adjourned at 1:00pm Next meeting TBA