SJC to Host Full-Day Education Conference

October 10, 2014

PATCHOGUE, N.Y. – October 10, 2014 – The Department of Child Study at St. Joseph’s College (SJC), in conjunction with Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE), will host the conference, “Educating All: Addressing Issues and Overcoming Challenges” on Friday, November 7 from 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. on its Long Island Campus located in Patchogue, New York. 

The keynote speaker for this year’s conference is John Elder Robison, author and advocate. Robison, who has autism spectrum disorder, is a Neurodiversity Scholar at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. He is a bestselling author of Look Me in the Eye, Be Different and Raising Cubby, which are the most popular books on living with autism spectrum disorders and will be available for purchase at the event. Robison will also teach a workshop at the conference. He has been interviewed on CBS News, The Today Show and NPR. 
    
“This year’s conference will offer a variety of workshops on best practices and resources for educators and parents,” said S. Mary Ann Cashin, chair of the Department of Child Study at SJC. “We are eager to hear about John Elder Robison’s life experiences and how they can influence services and intervention.”

This education conference will include workshops on timely teaching topics, such as multiple disabilities, inclusive approaches, transition, technology, positive approaches, behavioral challenges, Common Core/Opt-Out of Testing, and more. Throughout the day, attendees will also have the opportunity to visit the Apps Café, view an art exhibition and enjoy musical entertainment. Vendor and exhibitor tables will be set up throughout the day for attendees to receive information and make purchases. 

The pre-registration cost is $100 for an individual and $25 for students, which includes the full event program, breakfast and lunch. After October 1, registration increases to $110. For more information, to register or become a vendor, call 516.870.1661, email [email protected] or visit www.familyres.org. 

SJC is accessible via the South Service Road of Sunrise Highway, just east of Exit 52 (Waverly Avenue).

ABOUT FAMILY RESIDENCES AND ESSENTIAL ENTERPRISES, INC. (FREE)
Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE) founded in 1977 and headquartered in Old Bethpage, benefits and proudly supports more than 3,500 individuals with intellectual disabilities, mental illness and traumatic brain injury. It is the mission of FREE to help individuals of all abilities realize their full potential. FREE provides a diverse array of supports and services including: housing, recovery services, transition to work, employment, day, community and family services, respite, crisis services, education and after-school support, primary and specialty health care and advocacy. For more information, call 516.870.1622 or visit www.familyres.org.

ABOUT ST. JOSEPH’S COLLEGE
St. Joseph’s College has been dedicated to providing a diverse population of students in the New York metropolitan area with an affordable education rooted in the liberal arts tradition since 1916. Independent and coeducational, the College provides a strong academic and value-oriented education at the undergraduate and graduate levels, aiming to prepare each student for a life characterized by integrity, intellectual and spiritual values, social responsibility, and service. With campuses located in the Clinton Hill area of Brooklyn and in Patchogue, Long Island, the College offers degrees in more than 29 majors, special course offerings and certificates, affiliated and pre-professional programs.