Partners for Success Monthly Update
May 2022
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!
May is a time to celebrate accomplishments from this school year! The success of our children depends on a strong partnership between home and school. I am so proud to have witnessed some amazing examples of collaboration this year. Now is the time to show your thanks to our hardworking teachers, special educators, and support staff. A simple thank you note will make their day! This is also a great time for reflection. Please let your voice be heard! Complete the Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey before May 27th! We truly value your input!
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!
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS AND SUPPORT GROUPS
SECAC
FREE In-Person Workshop: A New View of ADHD!
*This workshop is open to all parents, caregivers, and educators of students with ADHD and is brought to you in partnership with HCPS Partners for Success, The Arc Northern Chesapeake, and Kros Learning Group. See flyer below for details.
Saturday, May 14, 2022, 09:00 AM
The EPICENTER at Edgewood, Pulaski Highway, Edgewood, MD, USA
More ADHD Workshops
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
Growing on the Spectrum Harford County
Mission Statement:
You're Invited!
Baltimore County: Free Access to Webinar Workshops , Parent to Parent Padlet
Cecil County: Optimal Health Care Workshop Registration
Prince George's County: 2022 Conf Zoom Link Sheet - Google Docs
Wicomico County: See PDF below for links to Parent Workshops
ATTENTION PARENTS AND EDUCATORS WORKING WITH TEENS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES!
See PDF flyer below for details.
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
May is for Mental Health Awareness!
Harford County Mental Health Resources
This resource provides information regarding counseling and treatment for mental health and addiction. They also have a resource for youth and families.
If you or someone you know is in crisis...
Concerned about your child's mental health?
EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES IN THE COMMUNITY
Down Syndrome Association of MD Events
Tuesdays at 5PM: Tween Snack Pack, sponsored by DSAmd
Hosted by volunteers, Gabe and Amy and led by self-advocate Corissa: join other DSAmd "tween" and Middle School-aged friends for a weekly Tween Snack Pack get-together on Tuesdays at 5PM via Google Meet. Free.
Click/type this link to join the Google Meet room:
https://tinyurl.com/cdspghangouts
*NEW in 2022* The schedule of activities is as follows:
· First Tuesdays: Karaoke
· Second Tuesdays: Make a snack together
· Third Tuesdays: Trivia
· Fourth Tuesdays: Name That Tune
· Fifth Tuesdays (if applicable): Show and Tell
First Tuesdays (Tues, 5/3) at 6:30PM/7PM: Sibling Meetup! sponsored by DSAmd
Join Samantha, therapist and Child Life Specialist from Kids Cope Baltimore, for a CDSPG Siblings Meetup. Free.
We'll meet monthly on the first Tuesdays:
- siblings age 5-7 years at 6:30 PM
- siblings age 8+ at 7PM
We'll meet via Zoom for now (thanks, COVID) and will re-evaluate as 2022 continues.
Register here for the recurring Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwrdO-qrTksHtD0NEkrgmwYU6cZxJAxNQGU?fbclid=IwAR0I8yPUZLSvsuQHUCnA5RDgjFEv751RFmsnjto3UTLPxs9Ec0ZfRYdCcuc
Wednesdays at 7PM: Young Adult Hangout! coordinated by DSAmd
Join Board Member, Ellen, and friends for a Young Adult Hangout via Google Meet – every Wednesday at 7PM. The group plays games, chats, and laughs together every week. Click/type this link to join the Google Meet room: https://tinyurl.com/cdspghangouts
Wednesday, 5/4 at 7PM: Grief & Loss Group, sponsored by DSAmd
Join Samantha for a virtual Grief & Loss group for youth siblings and/or self-advocates with Down syndrome or other I/DD. We'll meet virtually, so anyone from anywhere can attend. Free.
Recommended age: 8-ish years old and older, self-advocates of any age are welcome and will likely find appropriate activities and conversation in these groups.
RSVP IN ADVANCE: https://cdspg.kindful.com/e/grief-and-loss-group-
This group is reserved for those who have experienced a loss recently or in the past (parents, grandparents, siblings, friends, extended family, etc.)
We'll meet first Wednesdays at 7PM via Zoom (for now) in March, May, August, and November 2022.
ABOUT THE FACILITATOR. Samantha Childs, MS, is a CCLS (Child Life Specialist) and therapist from Kids Cope Baltimore.
Wednesday, 5/4 at 7PM: Financial Planning for Your Family, co-sponsored by DSAmd
RSVP HERE: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYrd--rpjsuEtOYNCGC6xgvFdI1ULU_OFG8
Our workshop provides an overview of government benefit programs as well as strategies for protecting & maximizing eligibility for certain government benefits. We will evaluate the ABLE Act and how it compares to alternative options for setting aside funding for individuals with disabilities.
The workshop will also address important estate planning considerations such as Wills, Special Needs Trusts, and the differences between Guardianship and Powers of Attorney. Strategies will be presented to address funding of special needs trusts, tax planning considerations, and ensuring quality of life and lifetime care are maintained for loved ones.
Lastly, we will cover the added complexity of planning for retirement with a special needs loved one in the picture. We will discuss this “3 Person Retirement” along with other financial planning considerations to look at differently when you have a loved one with special needs.
Thursday, 5/5: 30-minute IEP Strategy Session with Parent Mentors, coordinated by DSAmd
Register for a 30-minute strategy session. Free.
REGISTER FOR A SESSION HERE: https://cdspg.kindful.com/register/iep-strategy-sessions-with-cdspg-parent-mentors-2021
Once you sign up, Zoom information and a link to a Google Drive folder to upload your child's IEP (if desired) will be included in your confirmation email!
Questions? Need another day that's not a Thursday? Contact: director@DSAmd.org | 410-321-5434
Disclaimer: The mentors are parent volunteers from the disability community. Their comments and suggestions are not legal advice and do not guarantee any outcomes in the IEP process. DSAmd is offering this service as a way to connect families and offer community support.
Saturdays at 11AM: Cardio Dance with Corissa, sponsored by DSAmd
Led by Corissa Anderson, certified Zumba and LaBlast instructor and self-advocate. Each session will be approximately 30-45 minutes. All ages are welcome, siblings too! Let's get moving and have FUN while we do it! $2/class or free.
Please register in advance: https://cdspg.kindful.com/e/cardio-dance-with-corissa-april-may-2022
Sundays at 5PM, Cooking Class! coordinated by DSAmd
Join Gabrielle and Michelle, our cooking class hosts, for another 6-week session of 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
Unplug and Connect with Nature!
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!
Fidgets and Flow Sensory Yoga in Bel Air!
Sensory Dance Class At Rage Box Dance Center
Dance School
A dance program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to explore movement in a safe, structured environment
www.rageboxdancecenter.com/registration
Have you visited Abingdon Library's FREE Sensory Room yet?! Click below for more info!
LOCAL RESOURCES
Catholic Charities Early Head Start
ABA Services for Deaf Plus Families
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!