October is National Bullying Prevention Month
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Join our Board
We are looking to expand our Board of Directors. We are seeking individuals willing to give of their expertise and time to guide strategy, build the organization, and actively secure resources needed to execute the organization's mission.
Service on the Parents' Place Board of Directors offers a tremendous opportunity to help mold the innovative programs that help families, as well as build a sustainable organization capable of carrying out our mission. For more information, please call Josie Thomas at 410-768-9100 or email josie@ppmd.org. To review our job description and application, click here.
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National Council on Disability Wants Your Family Photos
Help the National Council on Disability (NCD) bring their new report "Rocking the Cradle: Ensuring the Rights of Parents with Disabilities and their Children" to life by submitting a photograph of your family to the new "Family Faces of Disability" photo album to be shared on NCD's Facebook page. With the "Family Faces of Disability" photo album, NCD wants your photos that capture your family's day-to-day life as a way to personalize the issues faced by parents with disabilities in the United States.
To find out more, visit NCD's website.To get a copy of "Rocking the Cradle: Ensuring the Rights of Parents with Disabilities and their Children" go to: http://www.ncd.gov/publications/2012/Sep272012/
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Baltimore City Special Education Legal Fight Ends
The nearly three-decade legal fight that transformed the long-beleaguered special-education system in Baltimore city schools has officially come to an end. Vaughn G. et al. v. the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, a federal suit filed by the Maryland Disability Law Center in 1984 alleging that city students weren't receiving timely assessments and services to students with disabilities were grossly inadequate, was finally resolved Saturday after a two-year settlement agreement the two entities entered in 2010.
City schools CEO Andrés Alonso said in a statement Thursday that the resolution reflects the system's progress, and the law center "pushed us where we needed pushing."
Read the Baltimore Sun article here.
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Parents' Place Offering Free IEP & 504 Clinics
Do you have a question about your child's IEP, 504 plan, or evaluation report? Would you like to have the opportunity to discuss your child's services and supports?
Bring your questions, documents and good ideas to the Special Education Clinic where our Parent Educators can talk with you and be that "other set of eyes" to look over your child's records. You will have the opportunity to ask specific questions regarding your child's IEP or 504 plan.
Let's talk about positive solutions and creative ideas to ensure that your dreams and hopes for the future are addressed in your child's educational program today.
Clinics are held once a month at PPMD's office from 5-8 pm. See the schedule below.
November 1, 2012 5pm-8 pm
December 6, 2012 5pm-8pm
January 3, 2013 5pm-8pm
February 7, 2013 5pm-8pm
Advance Registration is Required!
There is no charge for attending, however space is limited, so registration is required.
To register for a 45 minute appointment, email Rochelle Howell at rochelle@ppmd.org and provide your email and your phone number.
You will not be confirmed for your appointment until you receive a return email. For additional questions, contact Rochelle or call 410-768-9100 x104. Be sure to bring a copy of your child's IEP or 504 and a list of your questions.
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Kids Wish Network Grants
Kids Wish Network is a national 501(c)(3) organization that grants wishes to children living with life-threatening illnesses. Our organization brings smiles to many deserving children who just need a break from their illness.
Kids Wish Network grants wishes to children between the ages of 3 and 18 who have not had a previous wish granted by any organization. The child must have a doctor verified life-threatening condition and be able to somehow communicate his or her wish, either verbally, with the assistance of communication devices, by pointing at pictures, shaking his or her head yes or no, by signing or any other way that we can indicate what the child's wish is.
There are several differences between Kids Wish Network and other wish granting organizations. Kids Wish Network grants wishes to children with life threatening illnesses, which means that the condition does not have to be terminal; we want for our wish children to get better. We also understand that not all of our wish children will recover, that is why we also offer funeral assistance to families whose child received a wish through our organization.."
To learn more about Kids Wish Network grants and get an application visit the website at www.kidswishnetwork.org.
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Parents' Place Continues Trainings by Phone
Parents' Place of Maryland will be offering a series of teleconference workshops. This is a great opportunity for families who find it difficult to attend meetings in person.
December 13, 2012 - "How Will I Know If My Child Is Making Progress?" - This workshop helps parents answer that question as they learn how to gather information from special education and general education sources.
February 21, 2013 - "School Discipline and Positive Behavior Intervention"- This workshop will cover school disciplinary practices and trends, Functional Behavior Assessments, and Positive Behavioral Interventions.
March 7, 2013 - "Help! My Child is Being Bullied" - Learn how to recognize bullying, effectively respond and build positive solutions.
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Save These Dates!
October 9 -11, 2012
Ocean City, MD
October 18, 2012
Silver Spring, MD
9:00am-4:30pm
Only 2 weeks left! Register today.
October 24, 2012
Linthicum Heights, MD
8:00am-4:00pm
October 25-26, 2012
Baltimore, MD
October 27, 2012
8:30am - 3:30pm
November 3, 2012
Pittsville, MD
9:00am - 3:30pm
November 13, 2012
Towson, MD
November 17, 2012
Bowie, MD
8:00am - 4:00pm
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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Reading Rockets
Reading Rockets is a national multimedia literacy initiative offering information and resources on how young kids learn to read, why so many struggle, and how caring adults can help.
The Reading Rockets project includes PBS television programs (also available online and on DVD); online services through the websites ReadingRockets.org and ColorinColorado.org; professional development opportunities; and a robust social community on Twitter and Facebook. The project is guided by an advisory panel made up of leading researchers and experts in the field of reading.
Visit the Reading Rockets website at www.readingrockets.org.
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The Arc Releases an Analysis of the Affordable Care Act for Disability Advocates
The Arc has released a 16 page analysis of the Affordable Care Act and benefits for individuals with disabilities. A one page summary is also available on The Arc website. |
MCF Offers High Noon Web Cafe
This monthly web-based workshop series is designed for family members and staff working in family organizations. The issues identified are cross-cutting issues that all family organizations are confronted with as they respond to the needs of families. Speakers are experts in their field from state and national organizations. The presentations will last approximately 45 minutes. They will be followed by a 15-minute question and answer period. Participation is both web-based and by telephone-only conference call.
The series is presented in partnership with Innovations Institute. For information and to register click here. The first workshop is October 4, 2012.
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National Center for Learning Disabilities Survey Results
Results from a groundbreaking new survey released this week by the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) reveal that Americans lack basic understanding of learning disabilities other than dyslexia, and that they improperly cite childhood vaccines, subpar diet, and poor eyesight as potential causes of learning disabilities.
Results reveal the need for more education about the causes, treatments of, and treatments for learning disabilities, and a better understanding of the rights of learning disabled people in the workplace. Read the report here.
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