Support for Parents and Guardians of Amazing Special Kids

• Original Idea Voted on by New Yorkers: A project that connects the parents of children with disabilities with all the necessary support services needed for their children from childhood all the way to adulthood.

• Implementing Organization: INCLUDEnyc

• Neighborhoods: Highbridge, Concourse, and Mount Eden

• Funding Amount: $200,000

The responses below are directly from the community organizations selected to implement The People’s Money projects.

How does your organization plan to bring this idea to life?

Our project will encompass multiple outreach elements and a range of program activities to empower parents as strong advocates for their children with disabilities, thereby improving their educational outcomes and community inclusion in the TRIE neighborhoods of Highbridge, Concourse and Mt. Eden. INCLUDEnyc will conduct community outreach for both the stakeholder engagement and program delivery stages. Outreach will include a multi-pronged approach involving email, phone, social media, and tabling events, along with virtual and in-person meetings. INCLUDEnyc will work with community members to assess the TRIE neighborhood families’ needs, and plan project activities accordingly.  

What motivated your organization to apply to implement this idea?

INCLUDEnyc believes that every young person should have access to opportunities and services that allow them to achieve their full potential. With this project, we see a special opportunity to partner with TRIE neighborhood communities, leveraging our experience as a Parent Training and Information Center, and Community Parent Resource Center (CPRC) to improve the educational outcomes for youth with disabilities, support their families as advocates, and foster greater inclusion in the community. Over our four decades as a parent center, INCLUDEnyc has strengthened its network of early childhood programs, schools, social services, healthcare, and other community-based organizations, helping to increase awareness and advocacy skills on the family and community level, all to improve educational outcomes for children in these communities.

How do you think this project will make a difference in your community?

This work will enhance parents’ efficacy to support the education of their children with disabilities by increasing their knowledge of academic and early learning options and legal rights related to disability, and increasing the capacity of youth to advocate for themselves. We will help youth, families, and other community members connect to critical resources and recreational opportunities, provide mutual support to other youth and families, and develop ideas for how communities can be more inclusive of children with disabilities. 

List at least one thing you're excited about related to this project!

The goals of this project is to ensure children and youth with disabilities have the educational and recreational opportunities they need and deserve, and to support their families as effective advocates. We are excited about coming together to make this happen!

In addition to the broad community work, we are excited about supporting civic engagement and community support for students receiving special education services, helping a group of parents of children with disabilities to complete the official training to become a Parent Member. As Parent Members, they can participate in Individualized Educational Program (IEP) meetings to support other families, help elevate parents' voices in the process, and promote meaningful family participation in the IEP process.

How can someone participate or stay up to date on the project?

The recruitment and engagement strategies mentioned above will enable community members to participate in one or more of the project activities and resources designed to support them as parents and guardians of special, amazing kids.

Website: www.includenyc.org
Instagram: @includenyc
Facebook: @includenyc
LinkedIn: @includenyc