Join with the Cotting PTO to make a special day of appreciation for the 100-plus dedicated, caring staff at Cotting, who work hard to make a better future for our children. Each year, a Wednesday afternoon is set aside for Cotting staff to gather in the cafeteria, relax, be served delicious food sent in and served by parents, and enjoy messages of thanks from Cotting families.
WE KNOW YOU WANT TO HELP!
Look at the list below and choose one or more!
Sign up HERE to write a personal thank you note to one Cotting staff member or more, so that EVERY STAFF MEMBER RECEIVES A NOTE! These notes are displayed on the bulletin boards in the cafeteria and are the highlight of the event.
Sign up HERE to send in food for the celebration or volunteer to come to Cotting to set up the buffet, serve food to staff, or clean up on May 25!
Thank you – let’s make this celebration the best ever!
Transition Fair 2022
Our 2022 Transition Fair is virtual! Our focus this year is on the various types of transitions that happen at—and beyond—Cotting School. You’ll hear from experts you know and you’ll find numerous resources from specific adult programs, state agencies and other types of supports. There will be three videos published over the next week or so — the first one is available now!
If you would like to purchase a 2021-2022 yearbook ($30), please complete this form and return it to Cotting (Attention: Carly Churchill). Payment by cash, check or Venmo (@cotting-school) is accepted. Please note that seniors (class of 2022) receive one yearbook free of charge.
This year’s theme is “A Night Under the Stars.” The prom committee will be transforming our dining room along with a tent on the patio to an elegant dance hall. Beverages (fruit and herb infused water, sparkling water and plain water) will be served for all the attendees throughout the evening. We will not be serving any food items. Each student will have a professional prom photo taken (the digital proof will be sent to you) as they arrive and throughout the evening there will be a fun photo booth!
The prom will begin at 7 pm. We kindly ask that parents drop students off with the faculty greeter and to not enter the prom. There will be an area available if you would like to take a picture of your child before they go to the prom entrance area. Specific information on short term parking and dropping off will be shared closer to the time of the event. Parents are welcome to come pick up as early as 9pm, but no later than 9:30pm. Parents are welcome to spend a few minutes at pick up to see the venue.
All parents/guardians are welcome to drop by for an informal gathering tonight during the Cotting prom. Enjoy light refreshments, lawn games and the chance to connect. This event is open to all Cotting parents and guardians, regardless of their student’s age and whether or not they plan to attend the prom. Please feel free to make a last minute decision to come, we hope you can join us!
Our students are reaching new heights! The Cotting School end-of-year tee shirt is now available for purchase and features student names for the 2021-2022 school year on the back. Please note the shirts will be available for purchase indefinitely, the days available listed on Bonfire are just the number of days left before they print the next batch. The first batch will start shipping to homes on June 2nd.
Unfortunately, we are unable to offer a hoodie this year and youth sizes are currently limited due to supply chain issues. If this situation changes, we will let you know.
The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program provides critical support for millions of people with disabilities and their families to be able to afford necessities like food and rent. But SSI has many rules that make it hard for people to save money and get out of poverty.
In fact, SSI has asset limits that have not been updated since 1989. Assets include money in bank accounts, property, and savings. Right now, people who get SSI can only have $2,000 in assets, and married couples can only have $3,000.
These asset limits make it impossible for people to save money for emergencies and force too many people with disabilities into poverty—but a new bill introduced in Congress could help change that!
We are excited to announce that two upcoming summer youth leadership programs are accepting applications. Partners for Youth with Disabilities (PYD) will host both the 2022 Youth Leadership Forum (a virtual week-long conference) and Young Leaders Rising Program (a leadership series consisting of 4 modules).
YLF is a multi-day conference for youth and young adults with disabilities. Participants build leadership skills and leave better prepared for future employment, higher education and independent living. During the conference, YLF participants have the chance to engage in discussions and workshops on topics such as: self-advocacy, disability pride, assistive technology, independent living, employment skills, career exploration, higher education, legislative advocacy, the Disability Rights Movement and community participation.
YLF 2022 will take place ONLINE from June 25 -June 30, 2022. Note that this year, Peer Leaders will receive a small stipend for their work.
Information about Young Leaders Rising can be found here.
Demystifying Insurance Coverage for Youth with Autism & Behavioral Health Needs in Massachusetts
Webinar, May 24th, 2021, with Arc of Greater Haverhill-Newburyport. Are you a parent looking for treatment for your child with a behavioral health challenge, but are confused about where to start? Or maybe you are a case manager, family partner, or other helping professional who is assisting a family who is seeking in-home behavioral health care for their child, but aren’t sure if these services are covered by commercial insurance?
TOPICS INCLUDE:
Overview of the new Behavioral Health for Children & Adolescents (BHCA) Services
How to determine eligibility and coverage
MassHealth and how it can help people with private insurance
The effect of BHCA on CBHI, Educational Services, etc.
Frequently asked questions & resources
About the Speaker: Amy Weinstock is the Director of the Autism Insurance Resource Center at the University of Massachusetts Medical School’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, and an instructor in the medical school’s Department of Psychiatry.
To register for the webinar or for more information click here or contact Andrea Morris, Director of Family Supports, amorris@thearcofghn.org or 978-373-0552 x211.
Filing a Chapter 688 referral sets in motion a two-year planning process for students whose entitlements to special education services will end when they graduate from school or turn 22 years of age. Dianne Lescinskas from the Department of Transitional Services will walk you through who is eligible and responsible for filing a Chapter 688 referral and how it is determined which adult service agency receives the referral.
AANE Webinar: Special Needs Trusts – Planning for Your Future
June 14, 2022, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm, Free
Register now and watch this webinar live or later on-demand here.
DESCRIPTION: PLAN of MA & RI is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that offers Special Needs Trusts to people of any age with any disability, helping to preserve their assets, protect their access to public benefits, and to live well. This presentation on Special Needs Trusts will explain what a Special Needs Trust is, why opening one is beneficial to you and your family, the different types of trusts that PLAN offers and how an ABLE account can be used with a Special Needs Trust.
SPEAKERS
Joan McGrath, Executive Director, PLAN of MA & RI,
Kathy Vitello, Director of Operations, PLAN of MA & RI
AANE Webinar: Driving with Autism – Five Things Your Driving School Won’t Teach You
June 21, 2022, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm – Fee $25
Register now and watch this webinar live or later on-demand here.
DESCRIPTION: Driving schools cover a wide range of topics, such as traffic laws, road signs and traffic signals, road safety rules and more. Driving lessons may start out in a parking lot, progress to local roads, then highways, and crowded city streets. Not a lot of research has been done on what’s the best way for autistic individuals to learn how to drive or to cope with some of the ongoing challenges of driving. In this webinar, we take more of a “grassroots” approach. We know what helps autistic individuals learn to drive and be successful at it, because we are those individuals.
AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support Cotting School every time you shop, at no cost to you. Just select “Cotting School, Inc.” as your charitable organization and remember to shop at smile.amazon.com! Amazon will then donate a portion of your order’s purchase price to Cotting School!
Spread the Word!
Do you know someone who would like to learn more about Cotting School? Please share the information at the links below with someone you know. Cotting School parents are our best ambassadors, and our team is available to connect with families that would like to learn more!
