Navigating Developmental Disability: Resources for Caregivers

When: Thursday, May 29 - 12:00 PM

Duration: 1 hours 30 minutes

Location: Zoom

Event Details:

Family Peer Advocates provide support, resources, and information to families in the mental health system. One aspect of this work is helping families navigate complicated systems. Oftentimes, this involves working with caregivers or parents of children with co-occurring mental health conditions and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Caregivers new to navigating services for mental health and developmental disabilities often need assistance in identifying and accessing available resources. In this presentation, Family Peer Advocates will learn how to begin the process of accessing services within the intellectual and developmental disabilities system, understand the differences between these services and available mental health services, and alternative options if these services are not available. Attendees will hear first hand experiences from caregivers navigating these systems for their families.

                                                         About the Presenters

                                                       Lisa R Luxemberg, LCSW

Lisa has been a Social Worker at the University of Rochester Medical Center for 30 plus years. She started out in OB/GYN working with teen pregnancy and moved to Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics in 2014. She has enjoyed working as part of an interdisciplinary team and has participated in many ECHOs, webinar presentations on Autism during COVID, the Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Feeding program, Diagnostic Clinic and FASD clinic. Lisa obtained her Clinical Social Work License in 2024 and has been doing an evidence-based parenting program with clinic families since that time.

                                                                       Katy Faivre

With over 30 years experience working with students, young adults and parents, Mrs. Faivre has developed and implemented a variety of programs  to address a wide range of needs. Along with her experience as an educator, Mrs. Faivre has mentored, coached and advocated for students and families in the community and in the classroom. Her passion and dedication has kept her focused on always finding innovative methods to get the most for her clients.

                                                           Simcha Weinstein

Simcha Weinstein is an author, syndicated columnist, and Community Engagement Coordinator at Families Together in New York State. He also serves as a state lead with the New York Alliance for Developmental Disabilities (NYADD). A passionate "dadvocate," Simcha draws on his own lived experience to champion systems engagement. Known for his warm, down-to-earth style, Simcha speaks and writes widely on advocacy, disability rights, peer support, mental health, and inclusion. He lives with his family in Brooklyn, New York.