Resources from the WLS & DoH All on the Same Page Workshop
Key Contacts
Dana Hysell, Youth Outreach Services Specialist
Westchester Library Sytem
dhysell@wlsmail.org
914-231-3230
Our Panelists
Charlie is a librarian trainee at the Yonkers Riverfront Public Library. He holds a Bachelors of Liberal Arts degree with a concentration in disability studies from Sarah Larence College, and he is currently pursuing a Masters in Library Science degree at Rutgers University. Charlie is a member of the YPL Accessibility Committee which created the sensory space at the Riverfront Library, which opened in April 2023.
Evelyn Seda is the director of First Step Services. They have been providing services for specal needs children for over 20 years. They love working with the community ad helping children. They have partnerships with different community settings, including libraries, YMCAs, and churches. As a parent with a child with special needs, Evelyn likes being involved in everything that can help families in need.
Donna has been working in early childhood development for over 35 years in various positions including public schools, private child care, head start, and as founder of Reflection and Direction Counseling. She recently retired from her position as the early childhod director at the Guidance Center in New Rochelle where she oversaw six programs that make up the early childhood department.
Dana is the proud mother of a four year old son, who received several early intervention services. He has experienced tremendous growth as a result and continues working hard with service providers through CPSE. Frequent trips to a host of libraries in Westchester are something he always looks forward to and their offerings have enriched and enhanced his development. Dana has a background in teaching and resides with her son and husband in White Plains.
Bob Heuthe M.S. Ed has been working in Early Intervention for 25 years as an itinerant teacher, classroom teacher, agency director and as an evaluator. He has worked in Long Island, NYC, Orange, Putnam, and Westchester Counties and has also been involved with the Westchester LEICC for many years. He is currently working with First Step Services in various capacities.
Panel Questions and Key Takeaways
Collaborations with libraries, school districts, and providers include the making of the sensory space at YRI, providers using library space for evaluations and sessions, participation in library programs such as sensory storytimes.
Challenges include lack of knowledge/training and/or adequate communication, physical space limitations (including parking/transportation), language/culture barriers, timing/schedule constraints, lack of attention/involvement from parents/caregivers, and accessibility.
Some helpful solutions are having compassion/empathy – listening to the other’s perspective, surveying population for needs and information, learning from past experiences, being flexible, mutual respect, managing expectations, adequate funding, offering a variety of activities for all ages at different times, training for staff/trustees, collaborating with partners more and sharing knowledge, and having bilingual staff.
If we were able to implement and continue all of the things we identified in question 3 as our bridge building strategies we would reach a place that’s as close to perfect as we can hope to get. Add in a self reflection component. No cell phones during programs for undivided attention.