Brooklyn Developmental Disabilities Council

BKDDC is group of family members, people with disabilities and professionals who volunteer their time to improve the lives of people with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities living in Brooklyn.

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  • January and February 2026 Behavioral Health Parity Trainings

    The Division of Mental Hygiene within the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is offering free virtual trainings on behavioral health parity. Behavioral health parity means that insurance benefits for the treatment of mental health and substance use disorders should be equal to coverage for medical services.    

    Many people face challenges accessing behavioral health services due to coverage denials and significant out-of-pocket costs.  With the recent increase in the number of New Yorkers who need mental health or substance use services due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to ensure that they are able to access timely and affordable care.        

    This training will provide an overview of behavioral health parity and what steps you can take (or help your clients take) when they experience insurance denials or unexpected out-of-pocket costs. You will also learn about organizations available to support individuals in accessing services such as the Community Health Access to Addiction and Mental Healthcare Project (CHAMP), New York State’s health insurance ombudsman program for substance use disorder and mental health care.    

    Please register for an upcoming virtual training by clicking the links below or on the attached flyer.   

    Behavioral Health Parity 101: For anyone interested in learning about behavioral health parity, register at the following links:

    Behavioral Health Parity for Service Providers: For providers in health, behavioral health or social services who are interested in learning how to help clients, register at the following links:

    *Continuing Education (CE) credits are available to satisfy LCSW and LMSW continuing education requirements, and CASAC renewal and CPP/CPS credentialing requirements

    Don’t see a date that works for you?  Please email BHParity@health.nyc.gov for additional options and any questions.

    Please feel free to share these trainings with others in your network who may be interested.   

  • Helping Make the New York Transit System More Accessible

    Check out this great article on Q, friend of the council, and the MTA’s first Chief Accessibility Officer, and the fight for accessibility for all in the New York transit system!

  • BKDDC Legislative Committee: 12/11 @ 10am via Zoom

    Meeting Link:

    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89003270931?pwd=SncrghDgeVjPArRb9hcaJi6A2IAVUD.1

    Passcode: 848592

    One tap mobile
    +19292056099,,89003270931#,,,,*848592# US (New York)
    +16469313860,,89003270931#,,,,*848592# US

  • Needs, Wants, Wishes, and Dreams: Programs and Services for Children with Disabilities

  • CSVT Food Service Training Opportunity

    OPWDD is excited and pleased to announce an expansion of the Career Specific Vocational Training series.

    Beginning January 2026, they will offer a new training series focused on FOOD SERVICE. The CSVT-Food Service is a basic foundational learning series aimed at participants in your various SEMP and Pre-Voc programs and should have documented interest/experience in food service and vocationally motivated by all things having to do with food & the food service industry. They will be hosting a number of online forums to answer any questions that providers have about the training and wanted to emphasize that as part of the same OPWDD CSVT training. Individuals you refer remain with your organization. The training is designed to provide an avenue for waiver service providers to move individuals closer to the goal of Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE).

    Ready to Refer Somone… 👉 OPWDD Career Specific Vocational Training (CSVT) FOOD SERVICE recruitment form  – Fill out form 

    📌Eligibility

    • Must be currently Enrolled in OPWDD Waiver Services

    📌Training Overview  

    • Free Training 
    • 100 Hours of classroom and practical training
    • Training days are 4X per week and run for 6 consecutive weeks
    • Location: 83 Maiden Lane in Manhattan

    📌Students Receive 

    • $50 per week stipend (Total of $300) 
    • Industry Recognized Food Certificate

    📌Who is appropriate for this training? 

    • Individual who express and interest in working in and around food 
    • Express interest working in a restaurant or food establishment setting
    • Express interest in fast casual restaurants i.e. Chipotle, Sweetgreen, Shake Shack, Panera Bread and many other places that value and appreciate staff that care about food 
    • Express interest working in a Supermarket setting

    📌Curriculum Highlights 

    • Cross Contamination
    • How to Properly Clean & Sanitize 
    • How to properly Wash Pots/Dishes/Utensils
    • Basic Knife Skills (Will learn to properly use a knife to cut and prep vegetable and other foods)
    • Proper Temperature setting for keeping food Hot/Cold 
    • Instruction on the use of Industrial Dishwashing Machines used at many food establishments 
    • Working as a team member in a work-setting