NYC

ReelAbilities: NY disabilities film festival is dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories and artistic expressions of people with different disabilities.

Services for people with developmental disabilities are in grave danger.  Governor-Elect Cuomo must reduce New York State’s enormous deficit, and he will have to make cuts.

It is up to each and every one of us to prevent huge cuts to our services.  We cannot afford to be silent!

For those parents who are about to embark on the exciting but time-sensitive high school application process, we strongly recommend attending the upcoming Citywide High School Fairs and Borough High School Fairs.

Today, the New York City Department of Education posted a letter and information for parents about Phase 1 Education Reform on the DOE website. 

The first day of school for all New York City public school students is Wednesday, September 8.

Last week, NY1 began airing Bars to Education, a weeklong series on educational issues faced by youth involved in the juvenile justice system.

As the Department of Education (DOE) begins their plan to reform schools to better educate students with disabilities in community schools, we'll provide updates from a variety of sources to keep you informed.

Round 2 of pre-kindergarten admissions begins this Monday, July 19.

Check out the DOE's "Making Choices" Summer Workshop Series: June 30 - August 10. Middle school students and their parents are invited to attend summer workshops to learn about the high school admissions process. Dates, locations and topics are here on the DOE website.

New York City schools enrolled 14,000 more students than had been projected and about half of them require special education services, School Chancellor Klein said this week.

We need your help!  A critical program for children with autism spectrum disorders is in danger of losing its funding.

Join RCSN and other providers for a rally and press conference with City Councilman Mark Weprin on the steps of City Hall in New York City, at 10:00 am on Tuesday, May 25th, 2010.

The Manhattan Developmental Disabilities Council presented its 21st Annual Legislative Breakfast on Friday March 5th at Barnes & Noble Union Square. With Helene Craner, RCSN Associate Director, as Chair of the Legislative Committee, the event drew over 200 people to discuss current issues with key city, state and federal legislators.

The New York City Department of Education (NYC DOE) Chancellor Joel Klein and Laura Rodriguez, Chief Achievement Officer for Special Education and English Language Learners sponsored a breakfeast meeting at Tweed Courthouse on Tuesday 2/2/10 to introduce the DOE's special education reform plan - A Two-Year Phase-in Process Focusing on the Advancement of Student Learning and Achievement. Jean and I were there from RCSN, along with advocates and colleagues from city and state agencies and organizations.

RCSN is excited to begin two collaborative projects in 2010.  

We'll be teaming up with Mental Health Association (MHA) NYC's Family Resource Centers and the NYC Department of Education (DOE) Empowerment Schools: Bridges for Learning Network to provide critical services to families of children with mental health or other special needs, preventing disconnection, alleviating stress, and helping students succeed.