TOWN OF TONAWANDA: Service groups in the spotlight

By Daniel Pye/pyed@gnnewspaper.com

While many parents with special needs children could use the information and assistance provided by local service agencies, some don’t have any idea what’s out there.

The Ken-Ton Special Education Parent Teacher Student Association is trying to do something about that, bringing agencies from all over Western New York together at Hoover Elementary School for the First Annual Northtowns Family Agency Fair, said President Aimee Levesque.

“We have well over 80 organizations at this point,” Levesque said. “We had no idea how big the response would be, but that tells you the need that’s there.”

The event quickly outgrew original expectations, spilling from the Hoover Elementary cafeteria into the halls and all the way to Hoover Middle’s cafeteria, said Vice President Rosann Brecher said.

“When we were soliciting agencies, we didn’t know how many would be busy and not able to come,” Brecher said. “Four or five are sending information because they can’t make it, so we’ll have a few information tables set up, but everyone else was very eager to come.”

Now agencies from four counties are involved, and a New Hampshire company that produces educational software is making the trip.

After the idea got off the ground, Levesque applied for the newly created National Healthy Lifestyles grant provided by the National PTA. The group received the grant for $500, which helps cover costs and keeps the event free to the public, Levesque said.

While the event is geared toward special needs services, there are plenty of organizations that have activities and programs for both regular education and special education children, Brecher said.

“We’ll have the Boys and Girls Club, Boy and Girl Scouts and athletic organizations there,” Brecher said. “A lot of those places do double duty, providing services to both groups.”

Kenmore police will be on hand for child safety seat inspections and the Town of Tonawanda’s police will be getting the word out about their DARE program, Levesque said. And Perry’s ice cream will be on sale to sweeten the deal for kids coming out.

With the number of local children with special education needs on the rise, Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda Board of Education President Melissa Brinson said this event will help people from all over the region get the services they need.

“Rarely do you see such a carefully synchronized and well-organized event,” Brinson said. “One of the reasons this is happening now is the great idea of one individual taken up by an entire group. As school board president, this makes me proud, and as a resident it makes me so thankful.”

Information has gone out to invite schools from neighboring districts to participate and with the grant and volunteer support, the event will be repeated next year, Levesque said.

“When I first got involved, my main goal was that if I could help one person get through having special needs and not have to run all over the place to get help, that’s what I want to do,” Levesque said. “We were lucky with the award. Next year we’d like to bring in workshops and expand it into a day-long event for education.”

Contact reporter Daniel Pye at 693-1000, ext. 158.