It's February and that means it's time to celebrate Black History Month! It's a great time to focus on African Americans who are making history, such as the person quoted above. Did you know, Haben Girma is the first Deafblind graduate of Harvard Law School? Today, Ms. Girma advocates for the importance of accessible technology and education, and for systemic changes that ensure inclusivity. She is a prominent figure in discussions about disability rights and education reform. In the following statement, Ms. Girma invites us to recognize we are more alike than we are different:

"All of our bodies change over time. We all deserve dignity and access at every stage in our lives. Most people will need to seek accessibility solutions at some point, whether for a family member, a colleague, or for oneself. Disability is part of the human experience. We all need to engage in the work to make our world accessible to everyone. Inclusion is a choice."

"We can always find alternative techniques to reach goals and accomplish tasks. These creative solutions are equal in value to mainstream solutions."

Creative solutions is what Partners for Success is all about! We believe different does not mean less. We are ready to give families with disabilities the support and guidance needed for each unique, creative, and innovative path to accomplishment and dignity. If you are looking for suggestions and clear direction, please contact the office by the phone number or email listed below.

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 Monday, Wednesday, 9am-3pm, and Friday, 9am-1pm, 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.

The MSDE Parent Engagement Survey opens on February 14.

Help us improve how we can help you!

Please click on the flier below to take the survey.

HOW TO ACCESS YOUR STUDENT'S REPORT CARD USING THE HOME ACCESS CENTER (HAC)

Grades will be posted Friday, February 14!

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 January 9 meeting, Dyslexia, 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.

Mark your calendars:
March 6, 2025 - Recognizing, Addressing, and Supporting Anxiety in Students with Disabilities

April 3, 2025 - Rethinking ADHD - What Works, What Doesn’t and Why

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!

UPCOMING PARENT TRAININGS PRESENTED BY PARTNERS FOR SUCCESS!

Partners for Success is excited to partner with the Arc Northern Chesapeake Region to present a parent training focusing on Challenging Behaviors and Effective Behavior Management Strategies.

• 2/12/25, Middle School and High School-Aged Children - Click here to register for this event.

Click here to register for the Maryland ABLE Accounts Webinar!

Governor Wes Moore is calling for a $200 million cut from the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) which could impact about 20,500 Marylanders with autism or other developmental disabilities. Some of the proposed cuts include changes to the pay rates for an already strained direct professional workforce, a reduction to self-directed services, and eliminating the Low Intensity Support Services Program (LISS). LISS, through a lottery system, provides up to $2000 to assist eligible children and adults with developmental disabilities who do not receive other waiver funds to purchase items or services to assist with daily life. Some examples include respite care, adaptive equipment, sensory devices and home modifications.

You can help by downloading the MARYLAND LISS PROGRAM: ADVOCACY TOOLKIT by clicking here.

This Toolkit is filled with suggestions and contact information to reach out to your local representatives to the Maryland General Assembly.

When opening a Maryland ABLE account, there are 3 steps:

Step 1: Gather identifying information

Step 2: We send you an email confirming your account is ready to open.

Step 3: Have information about the bank that you want to link to your ABLE account and begin depositing money to fund your ABLE account.

A minimum deposit of $25 is required to open a Maryland ABLE account.

Your bank account is securely connected to the Maryland ABLE account to protect your information.

There are a number of ways you can build your savings, including:

• One-time contributions
• Recurring contributions

• Payroll direct deposit

• Gifting

Click here to find out more about Maryland ABLE!

Registration is now open for Developmental Disabilities Day at the Legislature! Join us in Annapolis on Thursday, February 13th, from 8 to 11 a.m. to learn about advocacy priorities for the DD Community and hear from state leaders before meeting with your legislators. Get your tickets now at https://dd-day-25.eventbrite.com.

UPCOMING FREE WEBINARS!

Join us for an inspiring Online Webinar on Unlocking Potential: The Power of Neurodiversity!

February 13, 2025

3 PM - 4 PM CET, 9:00 AM EST

Let's explore how Autism, ADHD, Giftedness, and Introversion shape creativity and innovation.

Speaker: Karolien Koolhof

Don’t miss it! Sign up here: https://hubs.ly/Q034_JqZ0

Join Parents' Place of Maryland speaker Marlo Lemon as she:

• Shares information about PPMD
• Reviews IEP and 504 Basics
• Discusses parent roles, advocacy, and meeting strategies

When: February 20, 6:30-8pm

The research is clear: school completion is one of the best predictors of future success. Dropping out of high school can have long-term negative consequences for students, personally, socially, and financially. What do we know?:

• Employment: High school dropouts are more likely to be unemployed than those who graduate.
• Income: High school graduates earn more than dropouts.
• Life expectancy: High school dropouts have a shorter life expectancy than graduates.
• Prison: High school dropouts make up a large portion of the prison population.
• Skills: High school helps you develop skills like communication, critical thinking, and time management.
• Here is another fact: The average graduation rate for students with disabilities–those served by IDEA–was 67.1 percent, according to the latest data. That’s 17.5 percentage points lower than the 84.6 percent rate at which all students graduated.

School discipline like suspension or expulsion can derail a student who was on the path to a diploma. Awareness of the laws related to suspension and expulsion for students with disabilities can help prevent these negative outcomes.*

Click here to access Handbooks, Parent Guides, and Know Your Rights Materials published by Disability Rights Maryland.

* Article excerpt from RAISE The Standard, an e-newsletter from the National Resources for Access, Independence, Self-Advocacy and Employment (RAISE). The RAISE Center is a project of the SPAN Parent Advocacy Network and is funded by the US Department of Education's Rehabilitation Service Administration.

Follow this link to learn more. https://www.chicagoparentprogram.org/

Here is a guide to services and events found on sites designed for the families of autistics. Some of the information could also apply to individuals with cognitive or neurological differences other than autism.

Click here to register or receive free recordings

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!

We are excited to announce that Laila's Gift, an 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 2025!

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.

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 Middle & High School https://www.ppmd.org/.../coffee-and.../2025-02-03/
• Coffee and Conversations Birth - Kindergarten https://www.ppmd.org/.../coffee-and.../2025-02-04/
• Coffee and Conversations Elementary School https://www.ppmd.org/.../coffee-and.../2025-02-06/
• Coffee and Conversations Spanish Speaking Families https://www.ppmd.org/.../cafe-y-conversaciones-2/2025-02-19/

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.

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!

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/