Parent Retreat - Maplebrook School

A Parent Support Services Workshop
TENTATIVE
MAPLEBROOK SCHOOL
2016 Parents’ Retreat
April 9, 2016
Maplebrook School
Main Campus - Thalheimer Hall
Amenia, NY
Supported in part by
The George and Serena
Merck Legacy Society
8:00 AM - Opening Reception - Thalheimer Hall Lobby
9:00 AM Welcome and Opening Remarks on Transition Planning: Dr. Roger Fazzone,
President and Ms. Jennifer Scully, Assistant Head of School for The Institute for
Collegiate and Career Studies/Dean of Admissions - Library & Media Center
9:15 AMA) Financial Planning for the Future of Your Child:
Mr. Stephen Ehrens, CPA and Wealth Advisor from Northwestern Mutual will
discuss Estate planning considerations, Special Needs Trusts, Wills and benefits, i.e.
SSI, Medicaid, insurance and investments. “ABLE Accounts” which will provide a tax
sheltered vehicle for your child, was recently signed into law and will be discussed.
B) The Path to College:
Mr. Stewart Sommerville, DCC College Coordinator and Ms. Jennifer Scully,
Assistant Head of School for The Institute for Collegiate and Career Studies/
Postsecondary Studies/Dean of Admissions, will talk about the different preparation
opportunities that exist at Maplebrook to ready students for college study at Dutchess
Community College and Curry College. Dutchess Community College’s Associate
Professor of English, Ms. Jody Sterling and Assistant Professor of Reading,
Lisa Pignetti, will join the discussion.
C) Internships and Employment: Mr. John Tomasetti, Institute Asst. Dean of Men
and Director of Experiential Studies, will be joined by students to discuss the Work
Readiness Certification Program along with the vocational internships and opportunities
within The Institute program that create realistic career paths for our students.
10:30 AMA) Financial Planning for the Future of Your Child:
Mr. Stephen Ehrens, CPA and Wealth Advisor from Northwestern Mutual will
discuss Estate Planning considerations, Special Needs Trusts, Wills and benefits, i.e.
SSI, Medicaid, insurance and investments. “ABLE Accounts,” which will provide a tax
sheltered vehicle for your child, was recently signed into law and will also be discussed.
B) The Road to an Independent Life:
Ms. Sue McKenna, Assistant Director of the Transitional Living Center (TLC) and
Mrs. Colleen McGhee, Institute Asst. Dean of Women will discuss the details of
Maplebrook’s postsecondary and TLC programming and how they prepare the residents
for their post-Maplebrook life. TLC residents may join the discussion.
C) Life After MBS:
Maplebrook Alumni and some Alumni Parents will be on hand to discuss the realities
of higher education opportunities, work, finances, their social lives and other adult
expectations.
12:00 Noon
Lunch and Keynote Address - Whalen Hall
Dr. Robert S. Kruger, Clinical Psychologist - Westport, CT will discuss the
importance of Building Resiliency Skills for Life After Maplebrook.
1:30 PMA) Acknowledgement and Acceptance of Learning Challenges:
Dr. Robert S. Kruger, Clinical Psychologist, will discuss parents’ and students
acceptance of learning challenges and how that impacts on realistic planning for the
future.
B) What Businesses Are Looking For:
Local business owners provide vocational internships for our young adults in the
postsecondary program. They share their experiences and what they expect as an
employer. How parents can work with their young adult to prepare them to be gainfully
employed will also be discussed.
C) The Feasibility of an Extended Living Program After MBS:
Dr. Roger Fazzone, President of Maplebrook School, and others will provide an update
on a recent initiative to investigate the feasibility of creating an extended living program
within the local area.
3:00 PMSynthesis Session
4:00 PMWine and Cheese Reception at the Etkin Environmental Center
Tours of The Institute for Collegiate and Career Studies and TLC Programs
The Next Move is Yours…….
Institute for Collegiate
and Career Studies