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Surviving and Enjoying the Holidays with Children with Disabilities
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Transition Planning and Employment
From the time your child begins receiving special education services, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) guides his or her education. During the transition years, your son or daughter's IEP must contain specific transition services defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA) and its regulations. IDEA requires that by age 16 the IEP team must determine what instruction and educational experiences will help students prepare for the transition from school to adult life. IDEA requires that parents and students be involved in all aspects of transition planning and decision-making.
PACER Center offers a web page filled with resources on transition for families and for young adults. It's never too early to start planning. Take a look.
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IMPACT: A New Family Voices Website Focusing on Health and Wellness
IMPACT is a project of national Family Voices. The goal is to promote a holistic, culturally relevant approach to health and wellness for all families and children including those with special healthcare needs and disabilities. Health is determined by many things. Social determinants of health play a big role in our health and well being. But personal choices are also extremely important, and the role of families is powerful. Together with friends, families, communities, and health care providers, everyone has the chance for better health and well-being. Over time, small changes made by individuals and communities add up to great changes and improved health for not only ourselves, but our children and grandchildren. This site has many free resources and is updated regularly. Read more at the IMPACT website.
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Family Resource Academy New Class
The Family Resource Academy may be just what you need for support, strength, and understanding that can enhance your ability to parent a child with intensive behavioral health needs. In partnership with professional child development specialists and veteran family members, the Family Resource Academy has designed a series of workshops just for you, and they are FREE to all Baltimore County residents and anyone receiving services through Catholic Charities.
You will have the opportunity to learn about topics such as:
Behavioral Toolbox
Emotional Baggage Getting in Your Way
Medication Management
Substance Abuse
Caring for Yourself as Caregiver
and MORE!
LEARN AND SHARE!
Classes will begin in January 2014
For more information:
Contact Baltimore County Family Navigator Services
410.252.4700 x265 or email FamilyNavigator@cc-md.org
Childcare will be provided on-site with pre-registration, for children ages 3 - 14.
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Birth Through Five Parent Information Series
The Parent Information Series is a collection of publications designed to support families in the early intervention and special education birth through five system of services. Many of these resources are downloadable PDF files. These four resources help parents of young children learn about the early intervention services available. All resources were updated in July 2013.
If you or someone you know is beginning the early intervention process or getting ready to choose between continuing with an Individual Family Service Plan or beginning the Individual Education Program process, these are a must read.
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Illness: A Barrier to Attending School
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Tyin, Carrie and Connor Nease of Essex. The eight year old twins have hemophelia and miss more than 20 days of school a year.
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This is another installment in WYPR's year-long series Empty Desks: The Effects of Chronic Absenteeism. This installment focuses on children with special health care needs who miss 20 or more days of school per year. Services available to these students and their families and the choices the families make are highlighted. You can read or listen to the article at the WYPR website.
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Workshops
There are a lot of new workshops and training events on our calendar! Be sure to 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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Walt Disney World Guest Assistance Card Program Changes
Disney Parks is modifying the current Guest Assistance Card program, which provides access to attractions for guests with disabilities, so it can continue to serve the guests who truly need it. The new program is designed to provide the special experience guests have come to expect from Disney. It will also help control abuse that was, unfortunately, widespread and growing at an alarming rate.
The new Disability Access Service (DAS) Card will allow Guests with disabilities at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort to receive a return time for attractions based on the current wait time. Guests Relations at the front of each park will continue to assist Guests and provide assistance that is responsive to their unique circumstances.
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2014 Maryland Parent Involvement Matters Awards Nominations
The Maryland Parent Involvement Matters Award is an annual award for parents (and others with legal responsibility for a child) whose exemplary contributions to public education have led to improvements for Maryland's public school children, teachers, schools, programs,
and/or policies. The award was created by the Maryland State Department of Education to highlight the positive impact parents
have on public schools and to encourage all parents to get involved in whatever way they can. Deadline for nominations is January 31, 2014. To find out more and print a nomination form, visit the MSDE website here.
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Maryland Burden of Proof Website Launched
A website has been launched to promote passing legislation that would put the burden of proof in due process hearings always on the local school system. This would be a change in Maryland law that places the burden of proof on the party (parents or school system) that takes the dispute to due process. To learn more about this proposed change you can visit the burdenofproofmd.org website.
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Toys r Us Differently Abled Toy Guide
The 2013 Toys r Us Differently-Abled Toy Guide is available on line. The guide is an easy-to-use resource featuring specially selected toys that encourage play for children with physical, cognitive or developmental disabilities. The downloadable guide is available in English and Spanish. |
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Holidays can be stressful enough with family members you love to pieces but sometimes want to strangle. If you have a child with special needs, you may not be the only one experiencing anxiety. Grandparents, aunts and uncles and other holiday hosts often mean well but sometimes just aren't sure how to help. 
