Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year!

One of the best ways to prepare children for their new school year is to give them Messages for Success. These are simple, specific, realistic statements that keep young learners rooted in a growth mindset and a positive self-image.

Some examples are, "My family loves me" or "Adults think I'm clever" or "I can read so many books" or "I am interesting."

This newsletter is a great resource for family events, webinars on supporting neurodiverse kids and teens, caregiver trainings, workshops, and opportunities for connection. Most, if not all of these offerings are presented with families of children with disabilities in mind, but it's no surprise that many of the most useful tools for supporting kids apply to all learners.

Please reach out to Partners for Success for guidance and support for your family's special education journey.

What is “Partners for Success”?

Partners for Success centers are available to parents as a resource and information center. Specifically, we provide information about community services, assist families in resolving concerns, and increase parental involvement in the special education decision making process.

Where is Partners for Success Located?

Roye-Williams Elementary School

201 Oakington Road, Havre De Grace, MD 21078.

410-273-5579

e-mail: partners.success@hcps.org.

Office hours are usually Tuesday 9:30-3, and Thursday from 9:30-1:00, by appointment.

Do you have questions about your student's education plan? Could you use some support?

Please remember we are here to help address any needs you have regarding special education and community resources.

THIS SECAC MEETING WAS RESCHEDULED TO OCTOBER 10, 2024 WITH THE SAME MEETING FORMAT. WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Presenters for this meeting will be the Director of Special Education and a representative from the Transportation Department.

Listen to what's new and different for the 2024-2025 school year. Bring your questions and look forward to learning and receiving valuable information.

This virtual meeting is scheduled for Thursday September 12 at 6:30pm. Here is the link to register.

See you there!

Come to a Harford County SECAC meeting to…

• Learn how to advocate for your child;

• Attend presentations by outside professionals on topics that affect the special needs student such as Anxiety, IEP Development, Social Skills, Bullying, and Transitioning;

• Network with other parents/guardians and community service providers;

• Meet staff members from the Department of Special Education and other HCPS departments;

• Participate in discussions about how to enhance programming, services, and supports for students with disabilities;

• Provide input at Harford County SECAC Parent Forums on special education-related topics which will be shared with the HCPS Department of Special Education and Board of Education.

If you missed the May 16 meeting EMPOWERED HIGH SCHOOL TRANSITION PLANNING and want to watch the recording; please send an email to harfordcountysecac@gmail.com or use the form on our website https://www.harfordsecac.org/home/contact-us.

SECAC NOW HAS A WEBSITE! TO VISIT, CLICK HERE.

Looking for meeting info? Looking for resources? Looking to connect with us? Please explore our website! We have compiled a list of resources, most of which are contributed by our members. If you would like something added, please send the information to our email address above.

Follow SECAC on Facebook!

What is LISS? The DDA’s LISS Program serves children living at home with their family and adults with developmental and /or intellectual disabilities living in their own home in the community, who are not receiving any supports or services from the DDA.

Below are highlights of what the LISS Program offers:

• It is flexible to meet the needs of children as they grow and adults as they mature across their lifespan.

• Provides up to $2000 to assist children and adults with purchasing eligible services and/or items to address their needs.

• Enhances or improves a child or adult’s quality of life, promotes independence and community integration.

The access link closes November 30, 2024: https://www.penn-mar.org/liss/

Click on the image above to register for the Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy Conference

Click here to register or receive free recordings!

Upcoming ASBC Virtual Groups

Click the group name to register and receive the email reminders and login information.

General Session

An inclusive space for all adults to learn and grow in their understanding

Tuesday, September 24, at 7:00 pm

Parent / Caregiver Discussion Group

A supportive environment to meet other parents and share.

Tuesday, September 17, at 7:00 pm

Autistic Adult Discussion Group

Every 2nd and 4th Thursday at 8:00pm

For Autistic Adults (18+) Only

A casual, neurodiverse space to connect and share

Register here for updates and the meeting link!

Monthly LGBTQIA2S+ Group - Back on August 18th!

We will be resuming our LGBTQIA2S+ Group on the third Sunday of everyone month at 1pm! Sign up here!

Sunday, September 15, at 1:00 pm

We are excited to announce that Laila's Gift, our organization dedicated to creating magical moments, is now scheduling free birthday and milestone celebrations for children with special needs and disabilities for the entire year of 2024!

Our celebrations are completely complementary and include:

- Venue space: We provide a wonderful venue where your child's party can take place, ensuring a safe and inclusive environment.

- Party decorations: Our team will transform the venue into a magical setting, tailored to your child's preferences and interests.

- Party favors: Each guest will receive special party favors to take home as a memento of the celebration.

- Guest of honor: Your child will be the star of the day, receiving the recognition and love they deserve.

- Gift: We have a surprise gift for your child, carefully chosen to bring them happiness and excitement.

- Celebration entertainment: Our team will organize entertaining activities and games to keep the party filled with joy and laughter.

And much more!

To ensure that we can accommodate as many families as possible, there are limited spots available for each month. Therefore, we encourage you to reach out to us as soon as possible to secure a spot for your child's celebration in 2024.

If you're interested or have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at celebrate@lailasgift.org or call 443-509-4515.

Visionaries of a world where everyone's needs are special. The first national program in the U.S. dedicated to supporting siblings of people with developmental, health and mental health concerns.

Click on the image to read the latest newsletter with upcoming events!

Tot Recess (ages 2-5) 10-11AM every Thursday from October 24 to November 7 at the Forest Hill/Hickory Activities Center Registration open until October 14

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR TOT RECESS

Here's an article from Pathfinders for Autism full of effective Back to School tips! https://pathfindersforautism.org/articles/education/parent-tips-back-to-school/

Join board-certified music therapist Erin Keenan for the autumn sessions of social skills building through music therapy! Participants will have the opportunity to collaborate in live music-making through singing, movement, instrument playing, song writing and music exploration. This is a mixed ages group with opportunities for all to be involved and participate. Siblings welcome.

The Down Syndrome Association of Maryland - DSAmd (formerly Chesapeake Down Syndrome Parent Group or CDSPG) provides information and support to individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the broader Down syndrome community. We serve families of and persons with Down syndrome by providing information and support. We have office hours at Isaac's aNORAble Homes, Havre de Grace 2nd Mondays 10am-6pm. Click here to download our general brochure. All current and future events can be found here.

HERE'S THE LATEST FROM WE ROCK THE SPECTRUM IN FOREST HILL!

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. Check out their Facebook page for more information and to connect with the group.

Since 2020, Parents' Place of Maryland have been hosting virtual parent groups, called Coffee and Conversations, where families join to share ideas, share frustrations, get resources, and make new friends.

Click below to learn more and register!

• Coffee and Conversations: Birth - Kindergarten

• Coffee and Conversations: Elementary School

• Coffee and Conversations: Middle and High School

• Coffee and Conversations: Spanish Speaking Families

Achieving True Self (ATS), an organization supporting hundreds of individuals and families in the Northeastern U.S. touched by autism, behavioral health diagnoses, and/or intellectual disabilities, is opening the doors to its third Center for Achievement located at 3465 Box Hill Corporate Center Drive; Suite H; Abingdon, MD 21009.

Located in Harford County and just five miles from the Baltimore County line, the opening of this location brings the community a center-based learning environment for individuals who have autism, behavioral health challenges, intellectual disabilities, and/or other learning differences. Services provided are guided by the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis, a scientific and proven (through over six decades of research) means of analyzing human behavior. The center’s initial programming focuses on early learners, generally children under the age of six (Pre-K) and social skills groups for all ages.

The Developmental Disabilities Administration has launched a brand new easy-to-understand version of our Guide to Services! Now, anyone can access valuable information about the DDA and our services in a user-friendly format. Whether you're an individual with IDD or a caregiver supporting someone, this simplified guide is designed to ensure everyone can understand and navigate the process effectively. Download your copy from the DDA website.

Maryland Department of Disabilities Transitions provides resources, information, and tools to help teens, families, schools, and communities to prepare teens with disabilities for future possibilities.

Here is a link to the MD PROMISE Transition Resource Guide, a resource for families and youth with disabilities transitioning to adulthood.

Find an HCPS 24-25 accessible calendar here.

Click this link Anita C. Leight Estuary Center to find out about upcoming family events in Abingdon!

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN SCOUTING?

Activities include BSA rank advancement, scout skills, cooking, camping, hiking and having fun. The troop welcomes any male 11 and older and with a diagnosed special need.
There is NO maximum age limit. Adults with special needs are welcome.
There is NO COST for registration or activities thanks to the generosity of Aberdeen Rotary, Bel Air Lions, Churchville Ruritan, St Mark's Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, American Legion, and other donations.

Charter Organization - Aberdeen Rotary
John S. Karas email - Charter Organization Rep

For more information, please contact Gary Nasuta, Scoutmaster, email or call or Maria Joesten, Committee Chairperson, email or call 410-775-3225.

Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) is proud to produce a new Parent Education Series focusing on Special Education. The four-part series focuses on Special Education Process, Parental Rights, Understanding the IEP, and Secondary Transition. An additional guide on the Alternate Education Framework was recently added and there are plans for further topics.

These are great resources with a lot of information for families. To explore all the publications, click here. If you need these guides translated to another language, just use the drop down menu in the upper right corner titled Translate. Be sure to bookmark for future reference!

Resources from the Parents' Place of MD:

• Looking for information about evaluations? "Your Child's Evaluation" from the Center for Parent Information and Resources is super helpful and easy to read!

• Read to learn the purpose of evaluation, who is involved in evaluation, deciding if your child is eligible, developing your child's education program, and more!

• Don't know where to start with requesting accommodations and/or modifications for your child's IEP plan? Check out this list of common requests in our handy resource.

• What is the 5 Day Rule and How Does It Effect Me?

Are you prepared for the differences between HS and College? Here are two differences:

1. Some students may not know that there are no course modifications in college courses. Harford will not provide modifications to change the course content or performance expectations that would substantially alter the essential elements of the course. Students with disabilities are expected to demonstrate the same level of understanding of course material and meet the same minimum skill performance standards as all other students in the college class.

2. In high school, the IEP team plays a key role in providing recommendations and documentation for requested accommodations. Decisions about the accommodations provided in college classes will be determined by the college. High school IEP’s and 504 plans are not applied at the college level. The accommodations identified as reasonable, that provide equal access to course material according to the disability diagnosed and supporting documentation are applied. Consequently, students are encouraged to meet with the HCC Disability and Student Intervention Services (DSIS) before beginning the college courses in order to determine what reasonable accommodations will apply and what additional student support resources are available to all students. Students who wish to obtain accommodations for their classes must follow Disability and Student Intervention Services procedures. If the student needs more support, they should contact the High School Dual Enrollment Liaison to determine supplemental services for remediation.

If you have any questions, please contact HCC by sending an email to disabilitysupport@harford.edu or by phone at 443-412-2402.

*Click the attachment below to view the electronic guide for prospective students.

The Department of Disabilities, Assistive Technology Program (MDTAP) enhances the lives of all Marylanders with disabilities, older Marylanders, and their families by providing access to assistive technology (AT) devices and services.

Take a look at their news brief on Guidance on AT in the IEP Process by clicking here.

For more information, visit us at www.mdtap.org or email MDTAP.General@maryland.gov.

Join us as we explore options to ensure that every young adult has access to assistive technology (AT) when they leave high school. Evaluating for changes in AT needs, keeping AT, and/or funding new AT - it's never too early to start the planning process! This session is for students, parents, teachers, providers, and administrators - anyone involved in the transition process. Presented by Lori Berrong, Executive Director, MDTAP. Click on the image to register for this virtual event.

Check out the latest episode airing on Harford TV to learn about: Laila’s Gift, Bike Camp, Maryland ABLE, Aspire, and Three Blessings Disabled Adventures!

Click here for information on Fallston MOPS/MomsNext. Come find your "mom tribe!"

The Sharing Table provides a free meal every Saturday to anyone in need. This meal provides nourishment for senior citizens, families with children, and anyone having a hard time making it through the month. There are no requirements and no qualifications. All in need of a good meal are welcome. Each family that visits the Sharing Table also receives a bag of groceries to take home.

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