Birch Family Services’ mission is empowering individuals with autism and developmental disabilities to lead fulfilling lives. To help fulfill that mission, Birch Family Services provides a robust training program for staff, parents, families and community members who wish to obtain specialized strategies to engage children, adolescents, and adults with autism and developmental disabilities.
We offer training on a variety of topics including autism and developmental disabilities, communication, behavior management, applied behavior analysis, increasing self-help skills, child & adolescent development, and community integration. In addition, we offer a monthly Family Support Group open to all. This forum allows for the exploration of different topics, a place to share success stories and voice concerns.
Register for Upcoming Free Parent and Family Training Sessions Below!
2026
September 2026
Child Development-September 17th at 10:00am-Lori
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/1TrukTnwTuWAusDvK9SFhQ
October 2026
Food Glorious Food-October 15th at 10:00am-Lori
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/inx2Y-ffQNmqpsHNb0qf7A
Toilet Training-October 23rd at 10:00am-Margaret
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/MphsJ80DTVGtd-UxYDC2HQ
November 2026
Cultivating a Holiday Routine-November 20th at 10:00am-Margaret
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/9-G1JSL7TK-O71OkakcynQ
December 2026
Autism Overview-December 4th at 10:00am-Lori
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/9t-_zv25T8yVcU49-09m1w
2027
January 2027
Understanding your child’s IEP-January 15th at 10:00am-Lori
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/ruGgPqG5RB23cMKEMdc03w
A look at Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)-January 27th at 10:00am-Margaret
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/kUhuhk7zQ9ufl0YF_t11Sg
February 2027
Using Visuals at Home-February 19th at 10:00am-Lori
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/39XTXlBTQHuRBIPyM46DsQ
March 2027
Developmental Disability Overview-March 1st-at 10:00am-Margaret
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/hzR8aaXhQzmP56b15dymzQ
Understanding Behavior-March 19th at 10:00am-Lori
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/p-DnQWQXQzOTx4DkAaJKug
April 2027
Autism Overview-April 1st at 10:00am-Lori
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/EJ8ksHVUT-WJKKp1wC26xw
Toilet Training-April 15th at 7:00pm-Margaret
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/xYF_mY64SQCVSQjReTEcaA
Toilet Training-April 16th at 10am-Margaret
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/l-RD74qrR4OIurTv40EtLA
May 2027
Communication at Home & In the Community-May 14th at 10:00am-Margaret
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/npLgBfrpR0aVr-irpK-XGw
All sessions will be held on Zoom.
*Spanish Translation will be available.
Meet Our Instructors!
Margaret chiara, senior vp of workforce development
Margaret has over 30 years in the field of disabilities. Over her career she has had the pleasure of supporting individuals, their families and staff. She began her career as a Special Education Teacher and then went on to join a training department where she pursued her BCBA, NYS LBA as well as her education administration certificates. Training is her passion where she has the opportunity to meet new staff, work with parents and families and directly impact the individuals Birch Family Services supports.
lori volpe, phd., autism coordinator
Lori has 40 years experience working with adults and children with ASD and other developmental disabilities in educational, residential and vocational settings. In addition to her position with BTI, Lori has worked for agencies in the New York area developing and opening programs for individuals on the autism spectrum. Lori was trained in TEACCH at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She holds a BA in Psychology from SUNY at Albany, an MA in Developmental Psychology from Yeshiva University, an MA in School Psychology and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology both from Hofstra University.
