The HCDS parent education program is uniquely designed for educating and training parents on the principles of behavior as they relate to their children with special needs. The goals of the program include generalizing newly learned student skills from the classroom to home, encouraging parent advocacy, and providing parents with the tools to manage difficult behaviors. Based on parents' feedback and interests, a variety of workshops are offered. Workshops are held twice on the Hawthorne site, once at the Manhattan Annex, and sometimes in a family's home. Individual consultation and training are available for those parents who wish to address issues specific to their child. A parent education curriculum is used to systematically introduce new material and train certain skills at levels individualized for each parent. Participation is voluntary but strongly encouraged. Parents who participate regularly earn points as they meet goals and objectives. At the end of each school year, the parent points are used to bid for merchandise at an auction. Although it is a great deal of work, parents who are active participants in the program seem to have loads of fun. They are comforted that they are doing something to help their child grow. Additional benefits include being more aware of their child's school day and building relationships with other HCDS parents.

Medicaid Service Coordination

Medicaid Service Coordination (MSC) is a program geared to helping people with Developmental Disabilities access necessary supports and services. Medicaid Service Coordinators use a person centered approach to develop, implement, and maintain a life planm otherwise known as an Individualized Service Plan. This plan tells us about each person, what they want, what their strengths and challenges are, and what is important to them. MSC's work in partnership with the individual and their advocates. They meet with folks they work for at least monthly in any number of settings, and at least once in three months in their home.

The MSC program is funded by Medicaid. It is available to children and adults who are receiving Medicaid. Additionally, to be eligible for MSC services a person must live in an Individualized Residential Alternative (IRA), their own home, or their family's home.

The role of the MSC advocate. The MSC focuses on an individual's wishes and aspiration, promotes self advocacy, helps people make informed choices, insures consumer satisfaction, and promotes self determination and involvement in one's own community.

For further information please contact Vicki Tobar, Supervisor of Medicaid Service Coordinators or call (914) 592-8529 ext. 3124