Resources

August is here and our thoughts turn to the new school year. We know where our children will be during the day, but what about after 3 PM?

Last year, more than 440,000 Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) checks were reported lost or stolen and had to be reissued. If you receive federal benefit checks yourself or on behalf of someone else, the U.S. Department of the Treasury wants you to know that there are safer, more convenient alternatives: direct deposit or prepaid debit cards.

Starting this week, we're moving into the next phase of updating our new RCSN Resource Directory -- our free website to search for and list services for children and youth with special needs in and around NYC. We'll be making phone calls to each of the resources listed in the Directory, making sure their information is updated and accurate.

Last week RCSN Program Director Gary Shulman spoke with New York Family magazine about choosing a summer camp for a child with special needs. Click here to read more about the many benefits of summer camps for kids with special needs, how special needs camps are different, what parents should look for, and scholarships for campers with specials needs.

The snow is falling and the temperature is dropping, so now is the time to think about summer camp!  It is also the time to think about how you will pay for summer camp.  Hitting the lottery is one option, but in case that doesn’t work out, below are some other ideas for funding.

Thanks to everybody who came out to the Special Camp Fair on Saturday January 30th!

Despite the freezing temperatures, we had a record turnout at our 25th(!) anniversary Fair. Click here to see some great pictures of new and old friends at this year's Fair.

The New York States Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) and the State Education Department (SED) have announced the launch of the New York ACTS Website.

Birch Family Services is one of the largest organizations providing high quality educational, vocational and family support services to children and others with developmental disabilities. They have been offering high-quality training programs for parents and professionals for many years. 

Download a Copy: 

Click here to download Birch's upcoming training courses

Click here to download Birch's registration form

Today we are launching the new RCSN Resource Directory, a free website to search for and list services for children and youth with special needs, which will replace RCSN's Database on the Web. The web address - resourcesnycdatabase.org - will stay the same, but you'll notice a new look and many new features, like maps to show you what resources are closest to you, different ways of searching, and the ability to update or add your organization's listing in the Directory.

RCSN friends Parents for Inclusive Education (PIE) have launched a new blog to facilitate online conversation between parents, educators, and advocates to work together to make inclusion of children with disabilities a more viable option in New York City's schools.