National Sibling Day Dinner Celebration
April 10, 2012

Join us on April 10, National Sibling Day, to connect with other siblings of people with disabilities! Food, friendship and fun are on the menu, so don't miss this opportunity to celebrate siblings and the special bonds we share! For details and to RSVP, visit our Meetup page. We hope to see you! 

Sprout Film Festival: Sib Flicks!
April 28, 2012

The tenth annual Sprout Film Festival, April 27-28, will showcase 53 films related to the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities from 13 countries. Join us at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on April 28 for Raising Renee (2:30 p.m.), a film about a sibling’s promise to care for her sister who has a developmental disability, followed by an entire track of short films for, by and about siblings (4:30 p.m.)! To join us on April 28, please RSVP at our Meetup page.

Sibling Conference Day & Dinner Featuring Don Meyer
May 3, 2012

Don't miss a day of sessions devoted to issues important to siblings of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The day will feature Don Meyer, Director of the Sibling Support Project. For more info, visit us here. We will end our day with a special dinner for siblings to enjoy friendship, food and fun! The dinner is open to all siblings, whether or not you attend the conference. For details and to RSVP, vist our Meetup page.

Leadership Development Opportunity

Are you a parent or sibling of an individual with developmental disabilities? You may be a candidate for the 2011-12 LEND Interdisciplinary Training Program

LEND Family Specialist

Leadership Education in the Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities

- Parent or adult sibling of an individual with developmental disabilities

- Two-semester program (Sept.-May), one full day per week (Thursdays)

- Must have graduate degree or be enrolled in graduate program

- Four primary components: didactic instruction, leadership development activities, field visits, and research

- Trainees from multiple disciplines

- Training stipends available

- Comprehensive Curriculum includes: neurodevelopmental disabilities: risk factors, genetics, early intervention, systems of care, neonatal problems, issues related to specific disabilities such as autism

Family support systems

Adolescent and transitional issues

National health care and disabilities-related policies

Assistive Technology

Child welfare issues, programs, and services

- Leadership development includes: presentation skills, grant writing, cultural awareness, technical assistance, consultation, and community education skills

- LEND trainees may choose to earn the fifteen credit certificate "Children with Special Health Care Needs" at New York Medical College with discounted tuition

- Completion of this training program will provide useful competencies as a family leader in the field of developmental disabilitiesApplicant must complete application, provide writing sample, and be interviewed.

For further information, please contact:

Barbara Levitz at (914) 493-2739, or blevitz@wihd.org
Or visit www.wihd.org and click on "Professional Education and Training"

Westchester Institute for Human Development at New York Medical College