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Legacy LDA Board Member and Steadfast Agency Supporter

My first encounter with the Learning Disabilities Association (LDA) occurred when the part-time coordinator spoke at my first graduate course in 1975. She must have been very impressive because it was not long afterwards that I focused my studies on Special Education and Learning Disabilities in particular.

While all this was occurring, one of my sons was struggling with learning to read. He was frustrated and often asked, “Why is this so hard for me and so easy for everybody else?” Decoding was a struggle but his comprehension was terrific.

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Lisa is the Administrator for the Neuromuscular Disease Division of the Department of Neurology at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Lisa and her husband, Brian, live in Penfield, and have 8 nieces and nephews, and 4 godchildren.

How did you first hear about our organization?

My long-time friend and colleague Lori Barnard-Northrup had mentioned The Advocacy Center’s many services and events to me. I attended a fundraiser for The Advocacy Center, where I had the chance to speak with staff and leadership and learn more about all that the organization offered. I ended up referring friends and family to The Advocacy Center so they could take advantage of the various workshops and services. It was a relief to be able to inform them of the agency since many of them felt at a loss for resources for their children, family members, and friends.

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Hello Friends:

Fall is officially underway and we have a lot going on at Starbridge and in the community.

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Dear Friends:

I hope you are finding ways to stay cool while enjoying summer.

Many of you responded to our survey back in May, and we appreciate your feedback. We are reviewing the results carefully so we can identify areas of success and opportunities for improvement.

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The Kelly for Kids Foundation is known for supporting children with disabilities and children in need throughout western New York. Earlier this year, Starbridge was fortunate to receive a Community Grant of $2,500 to purchase new drums for our TIES drum circles.

New York is beginning its transition to Managed Care, and the first step is moving from Medicaid Service Coordination (MSC) to Care Coordination. To achieve conflict-free care management, Medicaid Service Coordinators will no longer be employed by disability services agencies. Instead, they will now be employed by Care Coordination Organizations and will have the job title of Care Coordinators.

When Yasin Gunay first met Leah Hecht, a Starbridge Prevocational Employment Counselor, he was sure of one thing: he wanted to work in Information Technology (IT).

After graduating high school with an IEP diploma several years ago, Yasin worked a number of places. As he recalls:

“I was working a lot of dead-end positions. It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to do. I decided I wanted to go to school. I went to BOCES and in 8 months I passed the TASC (to earn a high school equivalency diploma). It was the best decision I ever made to go back to school.”

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Dear Friends:

It’s finally spring and our annual gala is just around the corner.

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Starbridge is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2018 Community Awards. Please join us at Among the Stars, on Saturday, May 5 to meet, congratulate, and celebrate these remarkable people!

Photo collage showing Starbridge 2018 Community award winners

Ideally, every child would go to school on time with a positive attitude and be greeted by a supportive teacher and a roomful of friendly classmates. School would offer just the right amount of challenge so that students learn and grow and earn diplomas.

Reality is often messier than that dream. Children may resist going to school, may act out while they are in school, or they may be in school but not making adequate progress.

When that happens, the adults in their lives – whether they are parents, grandparents, or other relatives – may not know what is causing the struggle or how to help.

So, what options are available?