Press Release

Media Contact: John Bourget
phone: 860.231.6350
email: jbourget@mandelljcc.org

NAVIGATING THE TRANSITION FROM HIGH SCHOOL
TO COLLEGE FOR SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS
A Free Workshop at the Mandell Jewish Community Center

WEST HARTFORD, Conn., February 18, 2008-The Mandell Jewish Community Center is hosting a FREE workshop entitled, "Navigating the Transition from High School to College For Special Needs Students" on Monday, April 28 at 7pm at the Mandell JCC, Zachs Campus, 335 Bloomfield Avenue in West Hartford. This workshop is ideal for parents of special needs teenagers who are thinking about the transition from high school to college and what it takes to get there.

The parents of special needs children are the greatest advocates for their children and keenly attuned to the problems and needs, although they may not always have all the answers. No matter what the age, the path from infancy to adulthood can be paved with many obstacles – discoveries of their children's emotional, social, neurological, learning, and physical deficits based on their disability. Parents are constantly searching for information from schools, teachers, and professionals. It is widely known that the earlier you start to seek help for your child, the better the outcome. However, as special needs children are maturing, there is a lack of information on how to plan for those years from high school into college. The child, now a teenager and his/her parents, may find themselves in a maze looking for answers.

This workshop is designed to consider all factors helping special needs high school students and their parents plan now for their successful future. The speakers, all experts in their respective fields, will discuss: educating parents about their child's basic legal and educational rights, the pivotal role of parent and student self-advocacy, planning for the success of the college-bound special needs student in terms of placement and services and alternative routes after high school with independent living and employment. This workshop is a call to action for all special needs parents and their teenagers to listen, learn, and make plans for their future success in school and in life.

The speakers include Attorneys Howard Klebanoff, Lawrence Berliner, Klebanoff & Alfano, Fairfield & West Hartford; Claire Friedlander, College Consultant, Jewish Family Services, Westport, Stamford and Greenwich; Renee Goldberg, Ed. D., C.E.P., Educational Options, LLC and Susan Piescik, a local parent of a special needs teen.

Reservations for this free presentation are suggested. For more information and to RSVP by April 21, please contact Tara Rothstein at 860-231-6325 or trothstein@mandelljcc.org.

About the MANDELL JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER
The Mandell JCC is a community and cultural center that offers a full range of activities, classes and special events for people of all beliefs, ages and stages. The JCC's offerings include early child centers and after school programs, a summer camp, recreation and wellness facilities, health spas, an indoor pool, a swim and tennis club, an arts center and more. The JCC has a rich history which dates back more than 90 years and has continued to expand and evolve into its current role as a significant community and family resource for the Greater Hartford area. The JCC also has childcare facilities in Simsbury and Glastonbury.