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Howard County Autism Society Launches On-line Resource Center
The Howard County Public Schools' assistance network recently received a boost through the Howard County Autism Society, which in June formalized an official partnership with the county school system to provide and promote understanding of the disorder.
One of the society's tools is a new website - specialed.howard-autism.org - designed to help parents of students with special education needs. The site includes a special-education news center, launched this summer and drawing from other Web-based resources including the Maryland Department of Education. It lists newsletters on autism, Common Core state standards data, support group information and special events for autistic students, as well as tips to help parents prepare students, and themselves, for school.You can read the entire Baltimore Sun article here.
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Parents and guardians may not be aware of the choices available for healthcare coverage when children age out of children's plans and into adult plans. Young adults may be able to continue with dependent coverage or access private or public plans. Young adults with special health care needs may be eligible for more than one plan. It's important to take a look at all the options before making a choice. This two page article highlights the questions to be asked and lists resources. Read or download the article here.
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 | | Autism Speaks VP Discusses Transition on PBS's 'American Graduate Day' |
Autism Speaks Executive Vice President of Programs & Services Lisa Goring appeared for a roundtable discussion today on PBS's American Graduate Day. American Graduate Day is part of American Graduate: Let's Make It Happen - a public media initiative supported by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to help more kids stay on the path to graduation. Along with Goring, the discussion included Project SEARCH Senior Director of Disability Services Erin Riehle.
During the discussion, Goring mentioned the need for supports for individuals with autism as they transition to adulthood, along with the need for supports for those in school. She gave an example when she discussed her own personal experiences with her son Andrew, who's on the autism spectrum and just graduated from high school in June.
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Social Security Disability Benefits and Employment Workshops
In 2014, there are three remaining sessions of the popular workshop Social Security Benefits Primer: Making Employment Work for Consumers with Mental Illness through Work Incentives.
This free workshop will give you accurate information about how employment affects Social Security benefits, Medicaid (Medical Assistance) and Medicare. Please bring a bag lunch or plan to eat locally. The site will provide water and snacks.
Montgomery County
Thursday October 23, 2014
Cornerstone Montgomery
1398 Lamberton Drive
Silver Spring, MD 20902
Prince George's County
Tuesday November 18, 2014
BECO Park Conference Center
4425 Forbes Blvd. Suite D
Lanham, MD 20706
Baltimore City
Thursday December 11, 2014
Humanim, Baltimore City
1701 N. Gay St.
Baltimore, MD 21213
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MD Promise Looking for Youth Receiving SSI To Improve Their Education and Career Opportunities
Maryland PROMISE, a partnership of State agencies and private sector disability organizations, is looking for 2,000 Maryland youth between the ages 14 -16 receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits interested in enrolling in a new program designed to improve their education and future career opportunities. Young people successfully enrolled in the program, as well as their families, will receive enhanced services and supports designed to help them meet their individual school and work goals, ultimately allowing them to become better off financially and achieve brighter futures.
MD PROMISE provides services at no-cost to youth ages 14-16 who are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits and their families. The goal of these services is to help youth and their families get an education or training, find work, and access other resources to reach their goals.
For more information, call 888-232-8554 or visit the Maryland PROMISE website at www.mdpromise.org.
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Families as Faculty Helps Improve Medical Care
The Families as Faculty program allows pediatric residents, medical students, and others in related fields an opportunity to learn from families. In the comfort and relaxed atmosphere of their homes, families tell their story, talk candidly about the special challenges they face, and reflect openly and honestly on their experiences with health care professionals. Students are matched with a family for a 2 hour visit at the family's availability. Families are provided a small stipend for their time.
If you have a child or grandchild living with you who has a chronic health condition or a disability AND you live within a 30 minute drive of Ravens Stadium and would like to participate please contact Kelly Meissner at kelly@ppmd.org for information about upcoming training opportunities and more about this exceptional program.
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Paint Your Pumpkin Purple This Year!
 This Halloween, on the eve of National Epilepsy Awareness Month, turn one of your pumpkins purple and encourage others to do the same. Host a purple pumpkin decorating or carving event at your home, school or workplace to raise Epilepsy Awareness and help your community get seizure smart. Click here. |
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Upcoming Events
October 11, 2014
Around the World of Special Education in 1 Day
8:30am - 3:00pm
LaValle, MD
October 18, 2014
Transition Fair
9:00am - 1:30pm
Takoma Park, MD
October 22, 2014
Unity Day
National Bullying Prevention Month
November 8, 2014
9:00am - 3:00pm
Largo, MD
November 12, 2014
9:00am - 3:30pm
Waldorf, MD
November 15, 2014
8:00am - 4:00pm
BWI Marriott
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Workshops
Check out our online calendar for new and upcoming workshops in your area.
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October is National Bullying Prevention Month
The PACER"s National Bullying Prevention Center will give you ideas on how to recognize this important issue. Find ways to involve students and participate in local activities. Bookmarks and posters are available for download. There is a teacher tool kit, too. To find out how to get involved visit the PACER website here.
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Council for Exceptional Children Accepting Annual Award Nominations
CEC is accepting nominations in the professional, student, and Yes I Can! categories. The Yes I Can! awards recognize exceptional students who shine in athletics, academics, transition, arts, technology, or self advocacy. All nominees receive a certificate recognizing their achievements. The deadline for nominations is October 31, 2014. To find out more visit the CEC website here.
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PARCC Assessment Webinar for Parents
The PARCC Assessment will be replacing the MSAs for grades 3-8 in Math and English/Language Arts and several of the HSA tests beginning with the 2014-15 school year. This assessment is aligned with Maryland's College and Career Ready Standards and will be given in a computerized format.
The speakers discuss the new PARCC Assessments going into effect for this school year and implications for students with disabilities. They offer information on allowable accommodations and built in accessibility features that are or may be available for all students.
If you have questions about these new PARCC assessments, listen to this FREE pre-recorded webinar
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Special Needs Resource Locator
Help is just a click away! A comprehensive online database by Maryland's Office for Genetics and People with Special Health Care Needs to help you find resources you may need for your child with disabilities or special health care needs. To access thousands of resources click here.
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You are invited to the Maryland CoC Meeting
The Maryland CoC meets quarterly on October 22 at 10:30 am. The meeting is open to anyone who is concerned about and interested in children with special health care needs.
The CoC is working group of diverse stakeholders, including families, providers, advocates, consumers, administrators, and professionals from the public and private service systems. The COC is dedicated to improving systems of care for children and their families in the state of Maryland.
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