Annual Parent Retreat

Session One: 10:00 – 11:15am

How to Protect Your Child Legally and Financially
Presented by Andrew Cohen, Esq. and Mitch Weisbrot, CLU, ChSNC
Learn to navigate the confusing and emotional aspects of estate planning to best serve the interests of children with special needs. The speakers share their personal experience and professional expertise to help parents understand and manage the wide range of considerations in planning for future needs. Mitch and Andrew will review government benefits for individuals with disabilities, discuss guardianship, and explain what supplemental needs trusts are and how to fund them. The discussion will also include selecting trustees, preserving assets without jeopardizing benefits, writing wills and creating letters of intent.

The 411 on Community Leisure Opportunities
Presented by Catherine Troiano, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
Learn about recreation and leisure opportunities in your area! In this session, we will share roles and activities of the Recreation Department on campus, similar options to seek in your home community and how to access, and what makes a successful trip.

Rise & Grind
Led by Jessi McKenna, LMHC, Master Certified personal trainer, Group fitness instructor, Kids fitness instructor, and Nutrition Coach
Take part in this low-impact fitness class involving a series of exercises using your own body weight for resistance. These exercises assist in improving overall strength and flexibility, with movements designed to tone your body, improve your endurance, and clear your mind.

Session Two: 11:30am – 12:45pm

Why Medication is Sometimes Part of the Treatment Plan
Presented By Dr. Robert Grambau
Children and adolescents sometimes present with problems relating to the world around them – trauma, adoption, illness, loss, etc. Not all problems are due to life events; some disorders that children and adolescents have are hereditary. There is an ever-increasing body of evidence that disorders once thought to be caused by environment are actually, in part, hereditary. Issues that are biological/genetic often do not fully respond to therapy, changes in environment, or behavior modification.

We all dislike giving medications to young people, but in some cases, it is the most effective treatment. Medication, alone, is not as effective as a combination of therapy and medication together. In this talk, Dr. Grambau will address some of the presenting problems that are best treated with medication, and look at benefits vs. safety issues and short-term vs. long-term treatment plans.

Graduation Requirements 101
Presented by Megan Saunders, Certified School Counselor in New York and New Jersey
This presentation will review New York State graduation requirements, including a breakdown of Regents vs. Local diploma, and the classes Green Chimneys offers towards these credits. The discussion will also include the Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS) commencement credential option, and how it applies to students who are Alternately Assessed.

Guided Fall Painting
Presented by Alison Uliss, LCAT, ATR- BC
You do not need to know how to paint to attend this workshop! Green Chimneys’ own Recreation Clinical Coordinator and Art Therapist will guide you every step of the way in this creative and relaxing session. Just bring your sense of adventure and desire for fun!

Session Three: 2:00 – 3:15pm

Preparing for Adulthood
Presented by Jenna Eckna, LCSW
This presentation will provide information about community resources that young adults may be able to access upon graduation or discharge from their academic/residential placements. We will explore the wide range of programs and services and learn the meanings of acronyms, such as ACCES-VR, OPWDD, SPOA, Health Homes, SSI, Medicaid, CFTSS, Job Corps and the CYES program. This is an opportunity for you to learn what services are available in your community, and statewide, as well as how to access it when it applies to your child and you.

Threat Assessment
Presented by Kristin Licardi, LCSW
Threats of school violence continue to be a growing problem nationwide and can spread panic through our community. Proper assessment of these threats can mitigate them before tragedy strikes. In a treatment environment like Green Chimneys, we need to find the balance between under-reacting and over-reacting to such threats. In this workshop, we will discuss why threat assessment is so important in preventing violence, and introduce you to the Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines (CSTAG), the model we use at Green Chimneys to evaluate and respond to threats.

Walk in the Wilderness
Led by Zac Staszak
Fall at Clearpool is amazing! Come out a catch the tail end of the fall foliage season in the northeast on this adventure through the woods of Clearpool Campus. You have not truly experienced all Green Chimneys has to offer until you step into its natural surroundings. This hike will have some rocky and uneven terrain so participants should be prepared for a fun and physical challenge.

Breakfast will be available at 9:00am, during the morning introduction.
Lunch will be served at 1:00pm. Vegetarian option is available.
Please indicate on each attendee’s registration where there is a need.

By Car
Please find directions to our Clearpool Campus at www.greenchimneys.org/directions

By Train
Metro-North Railroad Harlem Line to SOUTHEAST station. Our shuttle bus will pick up travelers and depart station promptly at 8:52am. Return service departs Clearpool at 3:30pm.

Please RSVP via the registration links below. Workshop selections must be indicated for each individual attending so please complete a registration for yourself, and a guest registration for each additional attendee. Registration must be received by Friday, October 28th.

Primary Attendee Registration

Guest Registration