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DD Awareness Month
 March is national Developmental Disabilities Awareness month and we're encouraging everyone to get out and actively participate in their community. For some inspiration, read Seth Burdine's blog post.
Seth didn't let his disability cast a dark shadow over his life and he refuses to let his past bring him down. Click here to see his Channel 2News interview.
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Get Inspired
Mary Ann Breschi, president of Maggie's Light, spoke about her daughter's quest to provide pillowcases to kids in need and everyone that helped make it possible in her recent blog post.
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Family Education Series
Autism Spectrum Disorders & DSM-V Changes
Dr. Vincent Culotta of Neurobehavioral Associates will give an overview of Autism Spectrum Disorders. He will also talk about the changes in DSM-V and their implications.
Tuesday, March 25th, 6-9 p.m.
The Arc Baltimore Employment Center
6151 Metro Drive
Baltimore, MD 21215
Contact Becky Hartnett to register.
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Parents- Need To Relax?
Take some time to restore yourself and leave your children -with and without disabilities - in the trained and qualified hands of volunteers for a morning of fun from 9 am - 1 pm.
Saturday, April 5, 2014
St. Matthew Catholic Church
5401 Loch Raven Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21239
Sign up by contacting Becky Harnett via email or phone at
410-296-2272, x 2306.
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Programming support for Parents' Day Out provided by:
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Get Your Online Safety Guide
 Ever wonder if your kids are practicing safe online habits? Are you aware of the website they frequent? If not, you're not alone. Comcast and NBCUniversal have teamed up to present a new resource for parents raising kids in the digital age. The free e-Book is available to help you start the conversation with your kids about being safe while they are online. |
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Hands-On Passover Fun!
The Center for Jewish Education is gearing up for Passover with a Pre-Passover event for families with children of ALL abilities! Music, crafts and sensory-friendly experiences are waiting!
Sunday March 23, 2014
2:00 p.m. Crafts and Activities
3:00 p.m. Model Matzah Bakery
Cost: $5 per child | $15 max per family
Location: Rosenbloom Owings Mills JCC
3506 Gwynnbrook Avenue, Owings Mills, MD 21117
Registration is required by March 19th.
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Let Your Voice Be Heard!
The following are a few upcoming opportunities for your opinions to be heard and counted:
Sibling Survey
The survey of adult siblings of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities is still open. Share your ideas and opinions about the information and support siblings need!
The survey- and a newly formed Maryland Sibling Support Network for adults- are sponsored by the MD Developmental Disabilities Council, The Arc MD and By Their Side.
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Help Improve Services For Children and Youth With Special Health Care Needs
The Parents' Place of Maryland and Maryland's Department of Health and Hygiene (DHMH) Office for Genetics and People with Special Health Care needs (OGPSHCN) are conducting this survey to find out about your child's health care needs.
You will not need to give your name or any personal information.
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Parent Experiences Wanted: ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) Diagnosis
Seeking participants for a research project related to parents of children from 3-16 that have received the diagnosis of ASD within the last one to five years. Each participant will be asked to give 60-90 minutes for an interview regarding the experience of receiving the ASD diagnosis for their child with a particular interest on what they felt was helpful or not from the professional interactions during this time. Findings from the study will be used to help professionals assist families more effectively during the process.
Each participating family will receive a $10 gas card.
If you are interested contact Monica Phelps, MS
email or 410-617-2671 or 410-371-7983.
This research investigation has been reviewed and approved by Loyola University of Maryland's Institutional Review Board.
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SSI Survey
An online survey is being conducted through a grant from Social Security Administration to understand the experiences of service coordinators/case managers and families/caregivers who have applied for and assisted with Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for individuals with I/DD. The survey asks what is working well, challenges and recommendations for improvement. Responses are anonymous and survey participants are eligible for an incentive.
Questions may be directed to John Keesler, a doctoral candidate in the School of Social Work at the University at Buffalo. Email: jkeesler@buffalo.edu or call: 716-983-2513
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Enews Subscription
The Arc has three monthly enewsletters (Catalyst, Reaching Families, and Volunteers & Interns) and Public Policy alerts. Subscribe to one or all.
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Support for Parents
Moms Understand
We laugh, cry, share stories and hugs on the first Wednesday of the month.
Guy Talk
Meet with other dads to discuss the joys and the challenges of having a child with a developmental disability. We meet the fourth Thursday of the month.
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Last Minute Deductions
By checking the "Developmental Disabilities Services and Support Fund" box on your Maryland Tax forms, you can help people on the DDA Waiting List. 100% of your donation will help support Marylanders with developmental disabilities, and all donations are tax deductible.
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Community Workshops
Extended School Year (ESY):
Who, What, Why & What Else
What is ESY?
How does a child qualify?
What are the options?
Speaker: Charvette Barfield, Parents' Place of Maryland Date: March 12, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Baltimore City Public Schools
District Office
3rd floor conference room 301
200 E. North Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21202
For more info: Email Michelle Grant-Thornton or call at 443-642-3838.
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Pathfinders for Autism:
"Whether You're Bill Gates or Bill Smith - Steps You Can Take to Protect Your Child's Financial Future" -
A Special Needs Presentation
Presented by:
Financial Advisor, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
James Curran III, CFP
Senior VP, Financial Advisor
Mary E. O'Byrne, Esq.
Frank, Frank & Scherr, LLC
Date: March 13, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Abilities Network
8503 LaSalle Road
Towson, MD 21286
Click here for more info/to register.
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Setting Healthy Limits on a Virtual World
Learn about the impact of video games upon behavior and brain functions.
Speaker: Vincent Culotta, Ph.D. ABN
Neurobehavioral Associates
Date: April 3, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Baltimore Jewish Abilities Alliance
Click here for information or to register.
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iPad Apps for Special Needs Families
Network and learn more about apps for special needs children.
Date: March 13, 6:00 p.m.
System Source
338 Clubhouse Road
Hunt Valley, MD 21031
Click here to register and for more info.
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Webinar: How Will I Know if My Child is Making Progress?
Date: March 1, 12 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Space is limited. Register here.
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Visionary Environments
A one day workshop for students with disabilities and their families.
Visionary Art Museum
800 Key Highway
Baltimore, MD 21230
Date: March 22, 1:00 p.m. -4:00 p.m.
For information or to register, email Amy Armiger here.
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Is Guardianship Necessary:
What Alternatives Exist?
Date: March 13, 10 a.m - 12 p.m.
Weinberg Park Heights JCC
5700 Park Heights Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21215
For info/registration click here.
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The Student Directed IEP
Speaker: Joseph Anastasio, LCSW-C
Transition Coordinator
Baltimore City Public Schools
Date: March 26, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
KKI, Greenspring Campus
Bowles Building Board Room, 4th Floor
3825 Greenspring Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21202
To register, click here.
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Bullying Prevention and Intervention: An Adolescent Transition Lecture
Speaker: Maureen Van Stone, M.S. Director of Project HEAL at KKI
Date: April 9, 7 :00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
KKI, Greenspring Campus
Bowles Building Board Room
4th Floor
3825 Greenspring Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21202
To register, click here.
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SUCCESS Applications
Applications are now available for the 2014 Fall Semester of the SUCCESS program. The SUCCESS program is a partnership between the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and the Maryland Department of Disabilities and it enables Marylanders with intellectual disabilities to participate in a four year post-secondary education program.
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Sign Up For Advocacy Alerts
If you would like to get updated on important advocacy issues that impact those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, click here to receive the Advocacy Network alerts.
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