Senator Golden to Host Special Education Forum for Community’s Children and Families

“WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW”

Brooklyn- State Senator Marty Golden, along with members of his Committee on Special Education, today announced the 4th Annual Special Education Forum, entitled “What Parents Need to Know” for families and students of School District 20, 21 and 22, to be held on Friday, March 12, 2010, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Dyker Beach Golf Course located at 86th Street and 7th Avenue in Brooklyn.

Laura Rodriguez, the Chief Achievement Officer of the New York City Department of Education, and Kim Sweet, the Executive Director of the Advocates for Children of New York will be featured speakers.   The event will also feature a series of breakout/group sessions on a variety of important topics including “Life After High School” and “Children with Learning Disabilities and Struggling Readers,” and more.

Representatives from parent advocacy groups, city and state agencies, and national associations including Parent to Parent of New York State, the New York City Department of Education, the New York State Office of Mentral Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, the United Cerebral Palsy, Sensory Freeway, My Time Inc., the Bronx Chapter of the Autism Society, New York State VESID Office (Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities), the Brooklyn Center for the Independence of the Disabled, Bridge to Youth, and many other organizations will be on hand to answer questions and provide information.

Senator Marty Golden stated,  “As a member of the State Senate Education Committee who has worked very closely with our schools and our parents for many years, I have discovered the need to host this special education forum to address the needs, to provide the information, and to allow for the best opportunities for our children who require special education.  I think it is important for parents to understand how to access the services that are available to them in an effort to benefit their children's education and socialization."

Refreshments will be served. The Third Avenue Merchants and Marathon Bank of New York, along with the Community Education Councils of District 20, 21 and 22, are sponsors of the event. For additional information, please contact Senator Marty Golden’s office at (718) 238-6044 or visit golden.nysenate.gov