Greater Hudson Valley Council has support for unit leaders that have youth with Special Needs.
The Special Needs Scouting Committee has been formed to address the growing demand from packs, troops, crews and all scouting units for full support for all youth with any special needs and/or disabilities.
The SNS Committee meets monthly (except July & December) via zoom, 7:30-8:30pm. Please see the Council Calendar as we encourage any leader that is curious or has an interest in learning more about our SNS Committee or disability awareness efforts to join our meetings. Every unit should have an adult Special Needs Advocate and attending our meetings is a terrific way to learn how the SNS Committee is a helpful resource to unit leaders!
Special Needs Scouting Committee:
Please email our committee at: ghvspecialneeds@gmail.com
Steve Owen & Kristine Kingsley-Mulder - Committee Co-Chairs
Our Mission Statement
Our mission is to support and encourage all scouting youth with special needs & their families; & to offer equal opportunities for these scouts to participate to the best of their abilities in a rewarding scouting experience within the Greater Hudson Valley Council, BSA.
Our Mandate
Assist all Scout Leaders in developing and coordinating an effective Scouting program for scouts with disabilities and special needs, using all available BSA & community resources.
SNScouting Resources
From Scouting America's Guide to Advancement: Youth members and adults who are developmentally disabled or cognitively impaired, or youth members with severe physical challenges, may be considered for registration beyond the ages of eligibility: age 11 or older for a Cub Scout, 18 or older for a Scouts BSA member, or 21 or older as a Venturer or Sea Scout. Requests to extend registration beyond the age of eligibility for youth members and adults on the basis of developmental disability or cognitive impairment may be submitted at any time. Requests for youth members on the basis of severe physical challenges must be received before they reach the end of age eligibility for the program. For example, a request for a youth member to extend participation in the Scouts BSA program must be received before the youth reaches the 18th birthday. To read further, the section starts on page 78 of the Guide to Advancement.
Request for Registration Beyond the Age of Eligibility *REQUEST FORM WITH INSTRUCTIONS
*E-MAIL COMPLETED FORMS TO ghv.eagles@scouting.org OR MAIL TO: Greater Hudson Valley Council, 18 Westage Dr Suite 19, Fishkill, NY 12524
Individual Scout Advancement Plan
SNScouting Torch of Gold Award
Special Needs Scouting Service Award
For more great Resources, visit the National Scouting America's Disabilities Awareness page: https://www.scouting.org/resources/disabilities-awareness/
How the Special Needs Scouting Committee Supports Units & Council:
• Promote all aspects of Disability Awareness • Assist & Approve Advancement Alternatives
• Assist with Disability-specific Advancement • Assist & Approve Alternative Registration
• Provide Community Service Opportunities • Assist with Onboarding new scouts & Intake Assessments (as needed)
• Provide Exceptional & Continuous Training • Present Annual Awards to Scouters & Scouts for Exceptional Service
• Other Council-specific Strategic Initiatives (longer term):
Program Adaptations for Council-wide Events, including disABILITIES Awareness Challenge (dAC)
Develop & Promote New Special Needs Scouting Units
Provide Input & Assist with Needed Property Adaptations & Accessibility
Assist with Strategic Funding For These Initiatives
Key Messages to all Units:
• The GHVC Special Needs Scouting Committee is an enormous & available resource; visit our monthly meetings!
• Be prepared and welcoming of any special needs youth & their family that wants to join your unit.
• Let your youth leaders know that your unit is available to potential Special Needs youth.
• Be aware of alternative membership registration and advancement substitutes, reach out to our Special Needs Scouting Committee for assistance.
• Depending upon the severity of the disability or handicap, reach out to the Special Needs Scouting Committee to assist with a suggested pre-joining family conference.
Special Needs Advisory Members
The Special Needs Scouting Committee has developed a team of professionals that have spent the majority of their professional lives serving the special needs community.
The purpose of this Special Needs Advisory team is to assist in the following areas:
1) provide professional input in ruling on alternative registration requests.
2) provide professional training opportunities through University of Scouting.
3) provide professional input for community service opportunities.
4) provide professional advisory input for disAbilities Awareness Challenge events.
