PPMD e-News Header

May 2012

New State Schools Superintendent Announced 

The Maryland State Board of Education today announced that Dr. Lillian M. Lowery, Secretary of Education for the Delaware Department of Education, has been selected the State's next State Superintendent of Schools. 

 

Dr. Lowery will take the helm of the nation's number one-ranked State school system on July 1.  She will succeed Interim State Superintendent Bernard J. Sadusky. You can read the full press release at the MSDE website.

Somerset County Parent Conference June 2
Register today for this exciting FREE conference in Somerset County! Jointly sponsored by the Parents' Place of Maryland, Maryland Disability Law Center, and Somerset County Public Schools, the conference provides information, resources, and networking. For more information, download the flyer here.
May Discovery Days at Port Discovery 

Since 1999, Port Discovery Children's Museum has hosted Discovery Days, special days of the year that are dedicated to students with disabilities.  Students visit the Museum and explore the exhibits, programs, and special activities, in a safe and fun environment. More information is available at thePort Discovery website.

 

Discovery Days are offered each year, and admission is free for Maryland school students.  Each day features special activities, performances and information tables.  Advance registration is required.  Contact Kristie Gulick at 410.864.2664 or [email protected]. 

 

Discovery Days are scheduled for:
May 8, 2012 (PortAbility Autism Day)
May 9, 2012
May 10, 2012
May 11, 2012 (Be A Part of the Art Day in partnership with VSA)
  
Free Parent Leadership Training in Baltimore

Learn how to be your child's best advocate and to help other families! The Parents' Place of Maryland will sponsor a leadership training program for families of children with disabilities in southern Maryland. Topics covered include:

  • Overview of the laws affecting special education 
  • Evaluation and assessments
  • Effective IEP goals and objectives
  • Least restrictive environment
  • Modifications and accommodations
  • Dispute resolution
  • Discipline (including restraints and seclusion)
  • Developing leadership skills

 All materials are provided free and lunch is included. The commitment is for 6 classes. It is essential that participants attend all 6 sessions. For more information contact Kelly Meissner by email or 410-768-9100.  Application deadline is August 15, 2012.  Space is limited! Classes will start in October. 

 

Four Year College Program for Students with Intellectual Disabilities

SUCCESS is an education program for students with intellectual disabilities. A partnership between the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.   

 

The college experience also will give them the opportunity to interact with their peers through a wide array of inclusive educational, social and recreational campus-based activities. The first group of 6-8 students will begin classes in the Fall 2012 semester.Click here for more information or monthly updates on the SUCCESS program. 

Publicaciones de NCWD/Youth 

Estos documentos fueron desarrollados por la Alianza Nacional para La Fuerza Laboral con Discapacidades para los J�venes y financiados con donaciones de la Oficina de Discapacidades y Pol�ticas de Empleo del Departamento del Trabajo. Tampoco alguna menci�n de productos comerciales u organizaciones implican el endoso del Departamento del Trabajo. Cualquier individuo puede reproducir este documento. Favor de dar cr�dito a la fuente original y al apoyo de los fondos federales. 

Children's Mental Health Week May 6-12, 2012
Communities around the country will be recognizing Children's Mental Health Week with events designed to raise awareness. To find out what events are taking place in Maryland visit these sites: 
New State Plan for Children and Youth Needs Input from Western MD Families and Professionals 

The Parents' Place of Maryland and the Office for Genetics and Children with Special Health Care Needsare holding a series of day-long strategic planning meetings in each region of Maryland and we need representation from families, local government agencies, community and professional organizations, health care and service providers, and academic centers in order to come up with a plan that will work. People at these meetings will have direct input into the new plan to improve health care for children and youth with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and other developmental disabilities.  

 

We want your input to come up with a realistic plan for Western Maryland that reflects and addresses critical issues for children and youth with ASD and DD in your region, so please attend. The meeting will be held from 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 pm on Thursday, May 24, 2012 at Christ Lutheran Church, 12 Vocke Road in LaVale, MD 21502. A light breakfast and a lunch will be provided. Your participation at this stage of planning is vital. We sincerely hope that you will make your attendance at this meeting a priority. Parents of children with ASD and other DD will be reimbursed for their participation.  Please RSVP to Debbie DiPaolo from The Parents' Place of Maryland by May 18 by calling 301-689-3113 or emailing [email protected] 

In This Issue
New Schools Superintendent
Port Discovery Days
Free Leadership Training
College for Students with Intellectual Disabilities
Publicaciones de NCWD/Youth
Children's Mental Health Week
New State Plan Needs You
Save These Dates!

   

May 10, 2012

Futures and Estate Planning

Frederick, MD

5:30 - 7:30pm

 

May 11, 2012
Linthicum Heights, MD
 
May 12,2012
Transition Conference for Parents and Youth
Cumberland, MD
 
May 17, 2012
Rockville, MD
7:30 - 9:00pm
 
May 18 -19, 2012
Timonium Fairgrounds
 
May 19, 2012
Baltimore, MD

Check the PPMD online calendar for time,  location, and registration information for these and many other training opportunities. www.calendarwiz.com/ppmd 
New Guide Focusing on High School Years

This guide is designed for schools, educators, and other professionals who assist youth with college and career readiness and transition planning. This guide was developed in response to feedback from schools indicating a need for curriculum and implementation guidelines to support whole-school buy-in for implementing individualized learning plans (ILPs).

New Estate Planning Guide from the Developmental Disabilities Council
  

The new Planning Now: Futures and Estate Planning Guide for Families of Children and Adults with Developmental Disabilities is now available.  The DD Council has updated this valuable resource. 

 Planning Now discusses the importance of planning for the future and explains tools and resources to help.You can download or request a hard copy.

Leadership Symposium for the Disability and Human Services Community

 

This three day training(May 30, June 7 & June 8) will focus on leadership development.Participants will gain an understanding of current trends and directions in the disabilities field and how these will affect funding, organizational

direction and services;

gain a fuller understanding of their own leadership skills and strengths; create priorities for organizational change leading to enhanced quality of supports and

generate ideas for ways to leverage leadership skills to move their organizations in new directions. Limited free scholarships are available. 

 

fb logo
Find us on Facebook.
Join Our Mailing List