Wow! We made it to the end of another school year! We hope you are enjoying graduations, end of year picnics, and the excitement of summer plans ahead. Please remember to congratulate your children for working so hard this year and thank their teachers for their tireless dedication and support. While this is a great time to celebrate, transition to summer can sometimes make us parents feel stressed as we try to navigate summer camps, childcare, vacations, and the long days at home. It is important to celebrate all of your hard work and dedication this school year too by setting aside time to practice mindfulness and self-care. Remember, "you can't pour from an empty cup!" Please consider joining us at our final SECAC meeting on Thursday June 2nd where we will explore Mindfulness for Families with Courtney Hart from Healing Hart Wellness.

I hope you found the resources and advice in these newsletters helpful! I have truly enjoyed connecting you to resources this school year and look forward to continuing our monthly Partners for Success newsletters in September!

Partners for Success and SECAC want to hear from you! Please take 2 minutes to complete this short survey to help us plan meaningful workshops for next school year. Thank you for your partnership!

What is “Partners for Success”?

Partners for Success is a part of MSDE Family Support Services. We provide information about community services, assist families in resolving concerns, and increase parental involvement in the special education decision making process.

Our team includes Rachel Trovato, Parent Coordinator serving families with students 5 to 21 and Carie Sadowski, Parent Coordinator serving families with children ages birth to 5.

Where is Partners for Success Located?

Roye-Williams Elementary School, 201 Oakington Road, Havre De Grace, MD 21078.

Phone 410-279-5579

E-mail at partners.success@hcps.org.

Office hours are usually Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 9:00-2:30, by appointment.

Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have - we are here to help!

Click here to register for June's SECAC meeting happening virtually on Thursday June 2nd from 6:30 to 8:30PM. The topic is Mindfulness for Families! See flyer below for details.

Growing on the Spectrum Harford County is a local support group for families of children with autism in Harford County. The group meets the fourth Sunday of every month from 6:30 to 8pm at 1305 Pulaski Hwy, Edgewood, MD 21040

Mission Statement:

At Growing On The Spectrum our goal is to provide autism families with the necessary resources to help their child on the spectrum. We believe every child is unique and families deserve to know all options and resources available to them. Above all else, we believe in creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcomed no matter where they are in their Autism journey. Click the picture below to learn information about the next monthly meet up!

Check out some of the free Webinars from ADDitude! Click here to register or receive a free copy of the recording! Topics include:

A Webinar for Moms with ADHD

A Parent's Guide to the Best School Options for Students with ADHD and LD

Anxiety in Children

The Unexpected Link between Migraine Headaches and ADHD

When Dyslexia and ADHD Overlap

I get it - all of us parents can't help but scroll during our relaxation time, so we might as well make it useful this summer! Below are some of my favorite parenting blogs to follow:

On Instagram -

MD Kid Adventures - Amazing blog to inspire you with places to add to your summer bucket list! Written by a mom and blogger who travels all over the state to give her personal review on fun places to explore!

Kids.eat.in.color - this is an incredible resource if you have picky eaters or are just looking for ways to offer REALISTIC healthier choices to your children this summer. (all ages)

seed.and.sew - written by Alyssa Campbell, creator and researcher of the Collaborative Emotion Processing Method, this blog provides great tips and reminders on topics such as connecting with children, separation anxiety, teaching children about consent, supporting kids through tragedy, etc. (ages birth to 8).

biglittlefeelings - perfect site to help toddler parents navigate the many emotions they will encounter. (ages birth to 5)

special_needs_siblings - raising awareness, support, and resources for special needs siblings (all ages)

Possible Groups to Join on Facebook to get connected:

Harford County ASD Families: Autism Spectrum Parent Support

Harford County Network for Families with Children with Special Needs

Growing on the Spectrum Harford County

Harford County Family Fun

Harford County Family Friendly Events - Harford Happenings

1000 Hours Outside Official Group - great group to inspire your family to spend more hours outdoors this summer!

A message from Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities: MCDD 2022 Virtual Summer Learning Series registration is now open. Choose from over 10 virtual workshops to meet your professional development and continuing education needs. To register, click here to visit our 2022 Summer Learning Series page.
https://www.kennedykrieger.org/community/initiatives/maryland-center-developmental-disabilities/2022-summer-learning-series

Saturday, June 4th - 11am - 2pm - IMPROVAGANZA! - Bel Air, free.

In-Person Improv! It's an IMPROVAGANZA! Join the famous MAGGIE from The Improvaneer Method for an improv comedy workshop for individuals with Down syndrome + performance as she trains DSAmd and DSADE's newest The Improvaneer Method coaches: Laura, Amy, and De'Vonte! Wondering what the heck The Improvaneer Method is?

See Hope and Liz demonstrate a few improv games here.

This free, 3-hour workshop will take place:

- Saturday, June 4th from 11AM - 2PM at Augmenting Ability in Bel Air, Maryland for YOUTH (age 16 and under) All are welcome - seasoned Improvaneers and new - let's come together, learn about this incredible program, and help our BRAND NEW coaches get ready to teach classes in Maryland and Delaware! Pizza lunch provided. Families can stay and network, and then watch a performance from their family members at the end!

RSVP IS REQUIRED at this link: https://cdspg.kindful.com/e/improvaganza-for-dsamd-and-dsade

Invite your friends, here: https://www.facebook.com/events/706022754154495

Sundays at 5PM, Cooking Class! coordinated by DSAmd - Free

Join Gabrielle and Michelle, our cooking class hosts for Cooking Class by Zoom! This self-advocate-led class selects a recipe and sends it out in advance so attendees of the class can cook along with the group! And at the end of class - you'll have dinner for your family. Build kitchen know-how, planning, self-confidence skills and your recipe repertoire with this free opportunity with other DSAmd families.

RSVP for the Zoom link here: https://cdspg.kindful.com/e/cooking-class-april-may-2022

Would you/a self-advocate you know like to lead a class? Sign up here with your recipe: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1DOuko1PWTUO44MkyMg0fzPJYECtjNPD8Dj8vdzsPvl4/edit?fbclid=IwAR2TXpuKhkVGD0m3y0itpb-xRgeoVZ0ZNOl2MMdaKq8W3jrD4fE4WRYrGw8#gid=0

Amanda Mummert, LPN, MNPM - Executive Director (she/her/hers)

Down Syndrome Association of Maryland (formerly Chesapeake Down Syndrome Parent Group)

P.O. Box 20127 | Baltimore, MD 21286 | 410.321.5434 | director@dsamd.org

Does your child love stargazing or outer space?! Join the Harford County Astronomical Society on Saturday June 4th from 9pm to 11pm. See details from organizers below:

Kid friendly! Observatory Open House at the Harford Community College. Highlights will include the Moon, double stars, constellations, a few bright globular clusters, and a some planetary nebulas. Have an astronomy related question? Our members can answer it for you. Need help with your telescope? We can help with that as well. Children are welcomed! Join us for a night of fun and learning!

Do not park at the Observatory.

HCAS conducts public open houses on one Saturday night of each month throughout the year. The general public is invited to these events which are held at the observatory. Parking is at the Vocational Technical High School parking lot which is a short walk from observatory. Please do not park at the Observatory. The Observatory parking lot is reserved for telescopes and guests.

The observatory dome will be open. There will also be a presentation in the classroom. Masks are OPTIONAL while on the observatory campus.

A message from Mt. Zion: A NIGHT TO REMEMBER — SPECIAL NEEDS PROM — Friday June 10, 5:30 to 9:00 pm, in the Tent at Mt. Zion Church — THE EVENT OF THE YEAR IN HARFORD COUNTY!!! — we’ll do your hair, do your nails, shine your shoes, need a dress? we got it, need a suit? we got it, walk the red carpet, paparazzi taking your photo, catered dinner, dancing the night away!!!!! — space is filling up extremely quickly — YOU REALLY DON’T WANT TO MISS THIS — special needs guests and volunteers can register at

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C45AAAE28A0F4C70-anight — you can also register by calling 410-836-7444 — WE WILL NEED HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS — COME VOLUNTEER AND GET A GLIMPSE OF HEAVEN ——— Mt. Zion Church, 1643 Churchville Rd., Bel Air mzprays.org 410-836-7444 office@mzprays.org

Summer movie nights start Friday June 17th from 7:15 to 9:30pm in Shamrock Park (Bel Air). See below for details from organizers:

The Bel Air Downtown Alliance's Summer Movies Nights are a great time and place to bring the whole family for a fun movie night at Shamrock Park with spare time to visit a restaurant and our stores in Downtown Bel Air! Our movies are free and family-friendly!

June's Movie: Raya and the Last Dragon

Monday, June 27 - Friday, July 1, 2022

Churchville Recreation Center, Level Building

3023 Level Road, Churchville

Through iCanBike services, participants will be taught by trained staff how to ride a bike in a warm and encouraging environment. Riders will attend a 75-minute session the same time each day for five consecutive days (Monday through Friday) and are physically assisted and encouraged by two volunteer spotters. Over the course of the camp, the adapted bike is adjusted to gradually introduce more instability in an effort to challenge riders at their own individual pace. Camp concludes with an inspiring award ceremony.

Rider registration is now full.
Please contact Rachel Harbin
to be placed on a waiting list.
410-638-3373 raharbin@harfordcountymd.gov

Harford County Public Libraries are the greatest FREE places to be this summer! Aside from cooling off with a great book, there are so many clubs, activities, and play areas to explore in each library! Did you know Abingdon library even has an outdoor playground and turtle pond? Be sure to check the calendar of events page to access events and activities happening at ALL of the branches this summer. You can filter the results by age group, location, or event type. Don't forget to join the Summer Reading Adventure! See you at the library!!

Harford County Public Library (hcplonline.org)

Click here for Eden Mill Nature Center Spring and Summer events!

Click here for Anita Light Estuary Center in Abingdon Spring and Summer Events!

Click here for Adaptive Events at Patapsco Valley State Park!

Click here to register for a fidget yoga class! This class engages children in mindful movement and a fidget craft every Wednesday at 5pm at The Center for Trauma, Stress, and Anxiety in Bel Air!

Sensory Dance Works🌟✨

Dance School

A dance program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to explore movement in a safe, structured environment

www.rageboxdancecenter.com/registration

https://harfordmentalhealth.org/

This resource provides information regarding counseling and treatment for mental health and addiction. They also have a resource for youth and families.

Remember, you are NOT alone and help is available. Click here for direct access to Harford Crisis Center.

Harford County Government has resources to start the conversation! Click here.

Catholic Charities Early Head Start is a free program for infants, toddlers, and pregnant moms for those who qualify as low-income, are receiving SNAP benefits, or may be facing other hardships. We offer both in-home and in-center services. We strive to educate and support all of the children and families we serve in any capacity needed. Please see the PDF flyer below for details.

Please see the message below from a new provider, Jacqueline Wunderlich:

I am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) through my company, Signs of Communication, LLC. I am offering parent & family coaching services for families with a deaf plus child (such as Autism, ADHD, language deprivation, behavioral challenges) or who are struggling at home. I can also conduct behavior assessments to determine where support may be needed in communication, social or self-help skills.

The best part is that these are available over telehealth (in ASL or English!) and may be covered by the family’s insurance! I am offering free 30-minute intake meetings for those who are interested in finding out more.

Families can contact me at jacqui@signsofcommunication.org or go to www.signsofcommunication.org to learn more!

Click below for information on Towson University College of Education's FREE online tutoring program for K-12 students in MD.

https://www.facebook.com/The-Sharing-Table-497601243752813/