The Multiple Sclerosis Foundation (MSF) hosts a variety of educational programs and events throughout the year - call for more information. Also available is a lending library of books, DVDs, and CDs.

Programs that identify infants, toddlers and in some cases, preschoolers who show evidence of or are at risk for lags in physical development, cognitive development, language and speech development, psychosocial development or self-help skills, and provide or coordinate the delivery of an enrichment program in order to minimize the potential for a developmental delay and to meet their current developmental needs. The program may include early identification activities (child find); a developmental evaluation; a review of family concerns, priorities and resources; meetings with the family to develop an individualized family service plan; service coordination to ensure that the individual and his or her family receive needed services which may include but are not limited to physical therapy, occupational therapy, audiology, health/medical services, nursing services, nutrition services, psychological services including specialized play groups or therapy sessions, counseling, speech and language assistance, special instructional services, transportation, and parenting skills development; and ongoing evaluation of the child's progress and his or her changing enrichment needs. Included are "birth to three" programs and federal, state or local programs that address the needs of slightly older children or children not otherwise eligible for "birth to three" programs.

Provides newsletters, training opportunites, and provides information and services from national agencies to individual children and their families.

“On Point for College removes the barriers and opens the doors to higher education for those who didn’t think it was possible. We are an open enrollment program meaning that we are open to everyone. We will help you along the way to achieving any higher education goal – whether it’s a two- or four-year college program, graduate or professional school, a certificate, or another type of professional training.”

• Overview of Transfer Services Offered

--- Identify personal and professional goals and how college can fit into them

--- Identify and apply to colleges

--- Identify an appropriate program of study

--- Prepare gap statements to explain any interruptions in one’s educational journey

--- Obtain transcripts and documents from institutions previously attended

--- Stay on top of crucial dates and deadlines

--- Review and understand transfer policies between colleges

--- Understand financing options and obtain financing

--- Create an academic plan and review program curriculums

--- Complete the reverse transfer process if one’s seeking to obtain a two-year/associates degree after having transferred to a four-year college/bachelor’s degree program

--- Attend special transfer orientations

--- Connect to on-campus transfer ambassadors who are familiar with On Point

• College Admissions Assistance

• Financial Aid

• College Tours

• Transportation

The Chronic Disease Self Management Program (CDSMP) is a workshop given two and a half hours, once a week, for six weeks, in community settings such as senior centers, churches, libraries and hospitals. People with different chronic health problems attend together. Workshops are facilitated by tow trained leaders, one or both of whom are non-health professionals with chronic diseases themselves.

Subjects covered:

1. techniques to deal with problems such as frustration, fatigue, pain and isolation

2.appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility, and endurance

3. appropriate use of medications

4. communicating effectively with family, friends, and health professionals

5. nutrition

6. decision making, and

7. how to evaluate new treatments

“Our goal was simple: who knows the needs of students more than the teachers who teach them daily? Through our innovative and self-sustaining funding, we are able to purchase much-needed basic school supplies and products. By joining forces with national corporate donors, Compassion Coalition’s: Equipped 2 Teach ensures that educational tools are enhancing the classroom and educational experience locally in CNY.

The national average that teachers spend on their own classroom supplies is $498 per year, but when speaking with local teachers, we learned that the cost far exceeded that.

Since December 2017, Compassion Coalition’s: Equipped 2 Teach has been serving 60 schools and counting! This stylized store is located at 506 Columbia Street. Teachers obtain much needed educational and classroom essentials with a value between $700-$1,000 in educational support to pass on to their students.

Equipped 2 Teach is currently scheduling schools to shop by appointment.”

NOTE: Compassion Coalition maintains a personal relationship with each school that they work with. They will not take on new schools when they are at capacity. Teachers are invited to shop and have a scheduled week based on school qualifications.

The product amount each teacher takes is up to them when shopping. The store is completely free, but a monetary value is put on the items to help shoppers follow the grant limitations. Compassion Coalition keeps inventory based on teacher shopping lists. Compassion Coalition’s store, Bargain Grocery, outfits Equipped 2 Teach and spends about $50,000 each year to ensure these teachers/students have what is needed. They also work with national donors.

The Prevention Education program funded by the New York State Office on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (NY-OASAS), was developed to help prevention in the spread of alcohol and other substance abuse in our society.

A program priority is to work with youth in an effort to prevent chemical and alcohol abuse through education.

Research-based educational programs are available for presentations to the schools, colleges and professionals and non-professional community groups.

Sibshops are monthly gatherings where the brothers and sisters of children with special needs can get together for fun and education in a lively, recreational setting.

Sibshops are pedal-to-the-metal events where kids get to:

•Meet their peers

•Have fun

•Talk about the good and not-so-good parts of having a sib with special needs with others who “get it”

•Play some great games

•Learn how other brothers and sisters handle sticky situations

•Laugh

•Learn something about the services their brothers and sister receive

•Have some more fun

Sibshops are monthly. They coincide with the Learn and Grow Playgroup.

To find the next Sibshops gathering, visit our calendar.

For more information or to register, contact Wendy Watkins at 962-8225, ext. 223, or wwatkins@aimcil.com. Registration is required.

Children with Special Care Needs programs assist children from birth to age 21 to reach toward and achieve developmental and educational goals.

The Early Intervention Program provides screenings and evaluations for children birth to age two to help identify developmental delays. Once your child is determined eligible for early intervention, some of the services available include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and special instruction.

The Preschool Special Education Program focuses on the educational needs of children ages 3 to 5 until they are Kindergarten-eligible and is administered through the local school district in which the child resides.

Provides comprehensive multidisciplinary evalution, hands-on- guidance and instruction in accordance with the IFSP, from birth to age 3, for children who demonstrate cognitive deficits, speech and language delays and/or physical disabilities. The program is offered in a center-based classrooma and/or home-based programs include Parent-Child groups.