Partners for Success Monthly Update

We hope your school year is off to a great start! By now your family has had several weeks to adjust to new routines, new teachers and, in some cases, new schools.

Looking for ways to support your child's education during the school year? Here are some suggestions:

• If you haven't already spoken with your child's case manager/special educator, be sure to reach out to him or her. Open those lines of communication so that if there is ever an issue, it can be addressed quickly.
• Establish a way to communicate with the case manager that works for both of you (email, calls, comunication log, etc).
• Follow your child's academic prograss on HAC (Home Access Center). Don't wait until reporting periods end to check grades. Instead, set a reminder to check weekly.
• Ask if there is an approximate date for the Annual IEP meeting. Schedules can always change, but this way you will have a timeframe.
• Finally, share when you have concerns. But also share when things are going really well. We always look for ways to celebrate students and the educators that work with them!

If you need assistance advocating for your child, have questions, or need resources, remember that you can always reach out to Partners for Success.

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.

At the September SECAC (Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee) meeting, Colleen Sasdelli, the Director of Special Education, talked about a new initiative to receive feedback on IEP meetings. Beginning October 2, families will be offered a QR code to access a survey at the conclusion of their Annual Review IEP meeting. The survey includes prompts on parent perspective, engagement and structure of the IEP meeting. It should take 5 minutes to complete. Completion of the survery is voluntary and anonymous.

Examples of the questions asked on the survery include whether parent input was reflected in the IEP, the use of parent friendly language, comfort level in contacting IEP members, even meeting preference (virtual vs. in-person).

Special Education Coordinators will have county-wide access to survey results and Building Administrators will have building-based access to survery results.

We hope you will take the opportunity to provide feedback on your family's IEP experence as we work toward improving family involvement.

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. Penn-Mar, the LISS administrator for Harford County, is currently accepting applications for Round 2 of funding. 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.

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:

Meetings usually occur the first Thursday of the month September through June from 6:30 to 8:30pm. The next meeting, on October 5th, will focus on executive functioning. Join us as we meet in-person at the Arc Northern Chesapeake Region, located at 4513 Philadelphia Rd in Aberdeen. Follow SECAC on Facebook!

Did you know that HCPS Parent Academy has started a monthly newsletter? It is chuck full of information and resources for families. The newsletter will automatically be sent to all families within HCPS. If you missed it, click here to check out the inaugural issue of the Parent Connection.

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 infomration for famlies. To explore all the publications, click here. Be sure to bookmark for future reference!

The Developmental Disabilities Association 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.

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.

The Abingdon Branch of the Harford County Public Library is hosting a Family Accessibility Night on Friday, Octover 27th, 5:15pm-7:00pm. Families of children with special needs are invitied to use the library after hours, socialize with other families, and meet representatives from community services.

Registration is required for both adults and children attending. For more information and to register, click here. Note: registration opens Octover 13 at 10:00am.

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."

"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."

Connect with Three Blessings Disabled Adventures by visiting their website.

Harford County Special Olympics offers opportunities to play soccer, basketball, flag football, swimming, track, tennis, golf, snowshoeing, and so much more! Check out their website for more information.

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!

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 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/