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New Website for Families and Educators in Maryland
Families and educators interested in early intervention services and special education information and issues now have a user-friendly resource at their fingertips.
MarylandLearningLinks.org is a unique, dynamic website providing information about the Individualized Family Services Plan (IFSP) and Individualized Education Program (IEP) processes, family involvement and other topics and trends related to special education. The site features a number of interactive tools, blogs, and newsletters aimed at administrators, teachers, service providers, and parents.
MarylandLearningLinks.org offers helpful information for families and educators working with children with disabilities, birth through age 21. The website offers users the benefit of an online community. Parents and educators can join, participate, and share in an ongoing conversation, all designed to strengthen student learning.
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Preparing for the Holidays
Holidays can be stressful for all families. There is added stress when traveling with children with disabilities or visiting family members who may not have spent much time with your children. Peak Parent Center has helpful suggestions for making the holidays less stressful on everyone.
Whether preparing things for your own children, someone else's children, or answering questions from people who want to prepare for your children, we could all use a little help and guidance. Below are some additional websites that could make life a little easier this month.
Toys R Us Differently Abled Toy Buying Guide
Children's Books about Disabilities
Adaptive Clothing
Recipes for Children with Allergies
Safety Tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics
Finding Sensory Friendly Movies
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IAN Launches Survey on Bullying
The Interactive Autism Network (IAN) Research project is launching a survey focused on bullying and children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Bullying has been identified as a major problem for children on the autism spectrum who, because of their social deficits and other challenges, are believed to be especially vulnerable targets. Children with ASD may be harassed not only in the typical way, but also when a bully purposely "triggers" an affected child's meltdown. The Bullying and School Experiences of Children with ASD Survey will collect information on a variety of bullying situations from a large number of families to explore the extent of these problems in the lives of children with ASD. For more information, click here.
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Midwest Colleges Serve Students with Intellectual Disabilities
Some Midwest colleges serve students with intellectual disabilities.
A small but growing number of colleges in the Midwest are offering programs and services that cater to students with disabilities. Certificate programs such as the Elmhurst Learning and Success Academy at Elmhurst College, offer courses in academics and life skills, plus placements in community internships. Other schools, such as the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater, provide support services to help students with intellectual disabilities earn undergraduate and graduate degrees. Read the full Chicago Tribune article.
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Training for Families of Children with Mental Illness
Family to Family is a free 12-week course sponsored by NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) for close relatives of individuals with severe mental illness.
The course teaches the clinical treatment of major mental illnesses and the knowledge and skills that family members need to cope more effectively. Topics include: communication skills, coping techniques, brain biology, medications, advocacy and more and are taught by other family members. NAMI - Metropolitan Baltimore is sponsoring three classes this winter/spring session. Participants must call to register. Call today at (410) 435-2600.
A. Start: Saturday, January 28th from 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
End : April 21st , 2012
Location: Govans Boundary United Methodist Church, 5210 York Rd., Baltimore, MD 21212
B. Start :Tuesday February 21st from 7:00-9:30PM
End : May 8th , 2012
Location: Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 905 Frederick Rd., Catonsville, 21228
C. Start : Wednesday 28th March from 7:00 - 9:30 PM End : June 13th, 2012
Location: Kingdom Harvest Christian Center, 12 Gwynns Mill Ct., Owings Mills 21117
For more information visit NAMI or call (410) 435-2600.
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Free Webinars on Accessibility
Learn more about the work of the Access Board, its guidelines and standards, and accessible design through a series of free monthly webinars and audio conferences. Sessions also provide an opportunity to earn continuing education credits (CEUs). Visit the Access Board to find out more.
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TRICARE Young Adult Starts Jan 1
The TRICARE Young Adult (TYA) Prime option is available for purchase on December 1, 2011, with coverage beginning January 1, 2012. TYA Prime will offer young adult beneficiaries TRICARE Prime coverage for monthly premiums of $201. To purchase TYA Prime, dependents must be under age 26, unmarried and not eligible for their own employer-sponsored health care coverage. For more information, click here.
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Save These Dates!
December 5-9, 2011
December 7, 2011
7:00pm-8:30pm
Baltimore, MD
December 9, 2011 Hunt Valley, MD January 9, 2012 Staying Positive During the Deployment of a Family Member Charlotte Hall, MD 301-290-0040
Check the PPMD online calendar for time, location, and registration information for these and many other training opportunities. www.calendarwiz.com/ppmd
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Coming Soon!
Low Cost Broadband and Computers
Connect to Compete is a nonprofit organization created to increase broadband adoption and digital literacy training in disadvantaged communities throughout the United States. The discounts are available to households with at least one child eligible for the free National School Lunch Program. The program will not begin nationwide until September 2012, but Phase I programs may begin in select cities earlier that spring.
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New IEP Frequently Asked Questions Pop-Up from Wrightslaw
In this pop-up you will learn about the Special Factors IEP teams must consider when developing your child's IEP:
- Behavior Problems
- Limited English Proficiency
- Blind or Visually Impaired
- Deaf or Hearing
Impaired
- Communication Problems
- Assistive Technology
Each question is answered with a brief explanation, legal and additional resources. Visit the Wrightslaw website for this free reference.
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Maryland Coalition of Families 2012 Family Leadership Institute
The 2012 Family Leadership Institute application is now available by contacting Carol Allenza at 410-730-8267. The application will be available on the MCF website on December 9, 2011, at www.mdcoalition.org.
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NCD Releases Progress Report
The National Council on Disability just released "National Disability Policy: A Progress Report" assessing
the current state of people with disabilities in America and how emerging trends and government policies are impacting the quality of their lives. For more information, click here.
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