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Parents' Place Named Child Advocate of 2010 On September 2, 2010 The Parents' Place of Maryland received the Child Advocate Award for 2010 from the Maryland Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (MDAAP). The Child Advocate Award is given to an organization that has made a significant contribution to the well being of children through advocacy. PPMD has partnered with MDAAP in promoting the concept of "medical home" and increasing the number of pediatricians who provide developmental screenings to their patients.
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Parents' Place Celebrates 20 Years!  In 1990, a group of parents and professionals came together to create an organization for and by families of children with disabilities that would provide information, resources, and support for parents. For 20 years PPMD has been assisting families in finding resources to support their children with disabilities and special health care needs. We've served as guides, mentors, teachers and friends to hundreds of families through the years. Please join us as we celebrate our work and the families we serve.
An Evening of Chocolate will be held on Sunday, November 7, 2010 at the Creative Alliance at the Patterson in Baltimore from 6:30 - 9:30pm. Tickets are $60 ($25 is tax deductible). An Evening of Chocolate features delectable chocolate, other desserts and a variety of hot and cold heavy appetizers. Meet Parents' Place awardees and key leaders, browse and bid on silent auction items while you enjoy exquisite appetizers, drinks, music, dancing, and good company. It's a party you don't want to miss! include menu For more information or to purchase tickets (so you don't miss the fun), go to www.ppmd2.org. |
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Focus Group Participants Needed
We are looking for participants for focus groups to be held in September and October in the Central Maryland region. If you are an African American or Latino parent of a child ages birth -21 with one or more:
Long lasting health problem like asthma
- Developmental Delays like autism, intellectual disability
- Behavioral or emotional challenges like ADHD, depression, anxiety
We need you to meet one time with a group of about 10 other parents to discuss how you get information about your children's needs. All information is confidential and you will be paid for your time.
For more information, contact Mary Baskar at 410-768-9100 ext 103 or mary@ppmd.org.
This research project is funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau of the US Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration.
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Candidates Forum on Disability Issues
The Maryland Disabilities Forum (MDF), a cross-disability network of individuals, advocacy organizations, and agencies supporting people with disabilities will hold the 2010 General Election Gubernatorial Candidates Forum on Monday, October 11, 2010 from 2 p.m to 4 p.m. at the BWI Marriott Hotel.
Gubernatorial Candidates - Maryland State Governor Martin O'Malley and former Governor Robert Ehrlich have been invited to participate in the event.Both candidates will be asked to address their respective platforms on disability issues.
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Section 504 Technical Assistance Conference The U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights will host a Technical Assistance Conference on Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This will be for parents of students with Section 504 plans who attend public schools in Baltimore City, Howard, Baltimore, Prince George's, Montgomery and Harford Counties.
Date: September 24, 2010
Time: 4:00pm-7:30pm
Location: Faulkner Ridge Center
10598 Marble Faun Lane
Columbia, MD 21044
For more information contact the OCR Regional office at
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Comment on Infants and Toddlers and Special Education Services in Maryland Each year, the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) of the U.S. Department of Education makes what are called "verification visits" to state special education agencies around the country. In November, OSEP will be visiting Maryland to look at the state's compliance with IDEA Part B and Part C.
OSEP has asked the Parents' Place to gather information from parents about their experience and knowledge with the Infants and Toddlers Program and special education system in Maryland. This is the first time parents have been asked to provide this input. It is a great opportunity to contribute to improving the system for children in Maryland.
If you would like to provide input, please contact any Parents' Place staff member at 410-768-9100 or 800-394-5694 to participate in a phone survey or to attend a focus group. The last day to participate is October 31, 2010.
Results of the information gathered from parents will be summarized and provided to OSEP and the Maryland State Department of Education.
All responses are confidential. No names or identifying information will be shared.
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National Sickle Cell Awareness Month
September is National Sickle Cell Awareness month. Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that affects red blood cells. People with sickle cell disease have red blood cells that contain mostly hemoglobin* S, an abnormal type of hemoglobin. Sometimes these red blood cells become sickle-shaped (crescent shaped) and have difficulty passing through small blood vessels. To learn more about sickle cell disease and upcoming awareness activities visit Sickle Cell Disease Association of America. Their Annual Conference will be September 21-24, 2010. |
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Thanking our sponsors
A special thank you to our sponsors and donors who make our work possible and help keep services to parents free. Thank you Safeco!
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Baltimore IDEA Trainings!
Join us for 3 parent workshops to sharpen your skills as your child's best advocate! These workshops will help you become a more
informed member of your child's IEP team.
S.M.A.R.T IEP's
October 25th
5-8:30pm
Letting Go: A Focus on Transition"
November 22nd
5-8:30pm
"Discipline and Behavior in IDEA"
All trainings will be held at The Cork Factory.
For more information, contact Charvette Barfield at 410-768-9100 ext 106 or charvette@ppmd.org |
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PPMD Workshops
The Parents' Place presents a variety of workshops, seminars, and training programs for parents. Topics include special education, health care advocacy and information, and parent leadership. Check our online calendar regularly for a listing and description of our training programs.
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Save These Dates!
September 27, 2010
Medical Home Forum
Easton
September 30, 2010
ASD Brown Bag Worshop
Executive Functions
Centreville
October 5, 2010
October 10, 2010
Life Transitions
Baltimore County
October 23, 2010
Around the World of Special Education
Alleghany County
October 23. 2010
Cecil County
October 24 - 27, 2010
November 5 - 6, 2010
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Parent Resources
Looking for documents explaining your special education rights in Maryland? Check out the Maryland State Department of Education website. Link
Here's great resources from PACER in Minnesota. LinkLots of great downloadable resources from PACER on this page. Link
Both IDEA 2004 and the No Child Left behind Act call for education professionals to implement academic and behavioral interventions based in quality scientific research. If you're interested in learning more about what works in teaching children with disabilities, check out NICHY's resources on evidence-based practices at this link. |
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Health Care Reform and Your Family
Health care reform has passed, but what does it mean for you and your family? Some changes go into effect this year and some over the next several years. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has developed a website to help understand all the changes. Sections address issues including families with young children and people with disabilities.
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Has this newsletter reached you by mistake? Please use the safe unsubscribe link below to take your name off the mailing list, or pass it on to the parent of a child with special needs. |
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