This Monday was Martin Luther King Day – a day to celebrate the importance of civil liberties for all. As I think about the vision and purpose expressed by Dr. King, I am reminded of the many heroes, some more widely recognized than others, who in very quiet ways have made huge impacts in the lives of countless individuals as well as society as a whole. Two people who come to mind are Lois Curtis and Elaine Wilson – both women with developmental and mental health disabilities.

During a recent regional training, Transition Planning and Assessment for Students who are Career Bound, participants had the opportunity to dive into some articles on evidence-based practices to support employment outcomes for youth. Research shows that these predictors are correlated with positive outcomes for youth in the areas of postsecondary education, employment, and independent living. Each group explored one to two articles on a predictor of post-school success and identified recommendations to support these predictors in school.

Your Neighborhood Navigator has been busy meeting many interesting people in our community! Today’s visit takes us to the Hudson Valley Parent Center (HVPC). Although located in the heart of Westchester County at the Westchester Institute for Human Development, the center serves the entire Hudson Valley region. Parent Centers are under the umbrella of New York State Department of Education (NYSED) and there are 14 across the State.