Wow! We made it to the end of another school year! I 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!"

ANNOUNCEMENT: It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing my resignation as HCPS Partners for Success Parent Coordinator. I have truly loved every second of being in this role. I never imagined I would be leaving so soon. However, I was presented with an incredible opportunity to continue collaborating with our community leaders and advocating for individuals with differing abilities and their families on a full-time basis. It is with excitement that I can now share I will be the new Manager of Disability Services for Harford County Government. This role was previously held by Rachel Harbin whom I know many of you have had the pleasure of working with and/or attending her events (Bike Camp, Empowered Expo, Wheelchair Costume Trunk or Treat, etc.). I know I have big shoes to fill! I consider it an honor and privilege to have met and partnered with so many incredible individuals through this amazing position. I truly look forward to maintaining the relationships I have built with our incredible parents, staff, and community as I take on this new role.

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 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 Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9:30-3:00, by appointment.

This month, Partners for Success in partnership with the Office of Disability Services for Harford County Government completed a Nature Social Group Pilot with students in 1st through 5th grade from all around the county! Together, we enjoyed hiking, relay races, playground fun, and enjoyed the many benefits of unstructured outdoor play at Mariner Point Park! Students made new friends and so did parents! We hope to offer this program again next year! Special thank you to Lauren Walker (intern for Office of Disability Services), Rachel Harbin (Manager, Office of Disability Services), Carie Sadowski (Birth to 5 Family Support Network Coordinator), and the incredible parents who participated in this program! Take a look at some pictures of all the fun below!

"As parents, we have an incredible opportunity to build our children's self-worth.

One simple but effective way to boost their confidence is to speak positively about them in their presence.

When they hear us say things like "They're so helpful around the house" or "They've been working really hard at school, and it shows!" they begin to believe those words.

Over time, those positive words become their self-talk and help them feel good about themselves even when facing challenges.

Give it a try! Make this conscious effort and watch their confidence soar!"

Follow @biglifejournal for more on raising resilient, confident, and emotionally healthy kids.

Low Intensity Support Services (LISS) provides up to $2000 to assist eligible children and adults with developmental disabilities with purchasing eligible services and/or items to address their needs through a random selection application process. LISS offers 2 windows each year to apply. Learn more and apply here!

​​​The FY 2024 Random Selection Schedule​

​​I. FY 2024- Round 1

1. ​The online access link will open on May 1, 2023.
2. The online access link will close on June 30, 2023.
   
3. Random Selection will take place on July 17, 2023.
   

​​II. FY 2024-Round 2

1. The online access link will open on July 16, 2023.
2. The online access link will close on November 30, 2023.
   
3. Random Selection will take place on December 15, 2023.

Does your family benefit from Medicaid? You need to be aware of some recent changes to ensure you continue to receive benefits.

States are required to periodically redetermine enrollees’ eligibility, and disenroll those who no longer meet the eligibility guidelines. During the COVID public health emergency, Medicaid disenrollments were paused. States are now able to resume Medicad renewals and disenrollments.

Be on the lookout for a renewal letter in the mail from Maryland's Medicaid Program. To ensure you receive this critical piece of mail: make sure your address, email and phone number are up to date with the Medicaid Office.

For more information, click here to visit the Harford County Health Department website.

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

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR UPCOMING MEETINGS:

June 1, 2023 - SECAC Elections & Parent Input Forum (in-person @ the McFaul Activities Center)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1207814129409560

Click here to register or receive free recordings!

Upcoming Webinars include:

• ADHD, Pregnancy, and Motherhood: A Practical Guide for Hopeful Parents May 11th at 1pm
• Teen Driving Rules: ADHD Guardrails to Avoid Distractions and Accidents May 18th at 1pm
• New Insights and Into and Treatments for Comorbid Depression May 24th at 1pm

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

Maryland ABLE invites you to join Maryland ABLE Director, Bette Ann Mobley, as she provides an overview of important updates to the Maryland ABLE Program. This webinar will cover the new IRS Regulations for opening and managing an ABLE account, increased contribution limits, and information on the ABLE Age Adjustment Act. Register here to attend on May 24th at 6 pm or Register here to attend on May 25th at 10 am.

Do you have a student that will be registering to attend Harford Community College in the Fall, either as a dually enrolled student or FT/PT college student? Are you concerned about them making the transition to college? College is a big step for all students and there are a lot of changes, some students do not know or understand. Disability and Student Intervention services at Harford Community College has a summer program that is FREE to help prepare students for this transition.

Come join us at STEPS TO SUCCESS. July 11th-July 13th. 3-1/2-day sessions filled with great information, games, hands on sessions and free lunch each day. Please use the QR code to register. Must be an HCC student to attend. If you have any questions about the program or how to set up accommodations for your student that had an IEP or 504 plan in high school, please email disabilitysupport@harford.edu.

Click the picture below to learn more!

Our Goal

"At Three Blessings Disabled Adventures, we offer fun outdoor activities for the whole family to enjoy with their dis-ABLED family member. Our goal is to serve disabled individuals, affected by spinal cord injuries and amputations, who require the use of a wheelchair."

What We Offer

"We currently offer biking, white tail, sika deer, and turkey hunting. Adaptive kayaking will be coming soon. Future offerings will include fishing, camping, and accessible hiking."

Below are our upcoming events for individuals with spinal cord injuries or amputations. Additional information can be found on our website - https://www.threeblessingsdisabledadventures.org/event

Event Date Time

Individual Turkey Hunt 5/13/2023 5:15 AM - 12:00 PM

Individual Turkey Hunt 5/20/2023 5:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Adaptive Biking 5/7/2023 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM & 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Adaptive Biking 5/21/2023 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM & 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Adaptive Biking 6/4/2023 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM & 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Adaptive Kayaking 6/9/2023 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Adaptive Kayaking 6/11/2023 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Athlete Sign-Up - Special Olympics Harford County Maryland (soharford.org)

Time to Unplug and Connect with Nature!

Click below for upcoming family events at Anita C. Leight Estuary Center in Abingdon!

For more mental health resources and events happening this month check out Children's Mental Health Matters!

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.

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 our office by emailing us at disabilitysupport@harford.edu or by phone at 443-412-2402.

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

Download the PDF below for the new HCPS Special Education Organization Chart. As a reminder, staff's email addresses are usually firstname.lastname@hcps.org.

Click the PDF below to learn more!

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?

Did you know Maryland Mobile Urgent Care services Harford County? Click here to learn more about services that can be provided in your own home as well as accepted insurances.

Click the PDF below for information from the U.S. Department of Education Office of Educational Technology.

"What can this guide do for you? This “Parent and Family Digital Learning Guide” will help you, as a parent or caregiver, understand important approaches for using technology in a manner that focuses on the needs of your child. This guide provides resources that will help you as you work with your child, your child’s teachers, and school leaders to prepare your child for success in digital learning."

Click the PDF below to learn ways to access technology! Created by Mid-Atlantic Equity Consortium (MAEC)

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/