Upcoming
Workshops/Conferences
There
is a wealth of information available for parents of children with special
needs. Our responsibility is to provide
a variety of resources so you can make informed decisions for your family. Partners for Success and FCPS do not endorse
any group or point of view.
Nov. 21, 2009
10am-2pm
Event: Parents’ Day Out
Sponsors: The Arc of
Content: Parents’ Day Out
provides much needed respite care to parents and guardians of children with
developmental disabilities. At The Arc,
the training room magically evolves into a playroom full of toys, games, books
and laughter where children can participate in a wide variety of activities
including crafts, games and outdoor play while in a safe, supervised
environment. The program is staffed by
two Arc employees and young adults from local civic and church groups as well
as other volunteers from the
Location: The Arc of Frederick, 620A
Information and to get a registration form: 301-663-0909
FREE
Dec. 1, 2009
9am-12noon
Workshop: Autism Spectrum Disorder
Sponsor: Project Access at
Content: Learn about autism spectrum disorder, including its
background and subtypes, current research, and any associated psychiatric and
neurological conditions, while enjoying a continental breakfast. Presenters are
Audrey Thurm, Ph.D. from NIMH and Elaine Tierney,
M.D. from Kennedy Krieger Institute.
Location: Howard Community College, Rouse Company Foundation, Student
Services Hall, Room 401,
Information: Linda Schnapp at
410-772-4625 or lschnapp@howardcc.edu FEE
Dec. 2, 2009
9:45am-1:45pm
Workshop: The Truth about Funding
Augmentative Communication Devices
Sponsor: The
Content: Funding AAC devices is process,
but it doesn't have to be a complicated one. Learning how to navigate
"the system" is imperative for successful device acquisition. There
are many interpretations of the laws depending on whom or which organization is
contacted; and lack of knowledge, inconsistencies, and incorrect
information among the funding agencies themselves causes frustration, delays
or, more often than not, outright denials to funding requests. For
example, while IDEA "can" be a funding source for communication
devices for students:
- IDEA money is not the only funding alternative available for
schools;
- students are able to own their devices outright;
- school-based speech therapists can write letters
of "medical necessity" and submit to the manufacturer/ provider for
approval.
Location:
Information: 410-381-2667 Registration is required FEE
Dec. 3, 10, 17, 2009
6:30-9pm
Workshop: Navigating the Transition Years:
Help for families of young adults with mental health needs
Sponsor:
Content: Topics include high school transition planning, services
available through the Division of Rehabilitative Services, employment, housing,
health care, benefits, legal rights, etc.
Location: Elkridge Public Library,
Information: Anne Geddes at 410-730-8267 or ageddes@mdcoalition.org FREE
Dec. 5, 2009
10am-12pm
Event: Sibshop-for
ages 5-7
Sponsor: The Arc of
Content: Sibshops are a celebration of the
many contributions made by brothers and sisters of kids with special needs. Sibshops reflect a belief that brothers and sisters have
much to offer one another -- if they are given a chance. Siblings participate
in a spirited mix of new games (designed to be unique, off-beat, and appealing
to a wide ability range), participate in discussion activities, and get to know
others who have something in common with them -- a sibling with a disability.
Information: Contact Colette Hough about location and
registration at 301-663-0909 or Chough@arcfc.org FREE
Dec. 7, 2009
4:45-6pm
Event: Unified Basketball Program
Sponsors: Special Olympics of
Content: For ages 5-21, an all inclusive physical ability, team sport
with an end of season tournament.
Location:
Information and registration: Kelly Presnell
at 301-663-5131, ext. 1248 or kpresnell@frederickymca.org
Dec. 7, 2009
6:30pm
Event: Support group for parents who have
children with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities
Sponsor: The Arc of
Content: Any parent of a child with a disability can attend. Parents can bring their children with them
with 1 week advance notice and there will be activities for the children while
the parents meet.
Location: 620A
Information: 301-663-0909 or www.arcfc.org Care available with advance
notice FREE
Dec. 7, 2009
9-10:30am
Event: Mom’s Support Group of Children with
Mental Illness, including ADHD
Sponsor: Frederick National
Content: If you are a Mom of a child (even an adult child) with Mental
Illness (this includes ADHD) and would like to gather with other moms, please
come and bring your thoughts and questions and we’ll have a great time. This group will meet weekly and will follow
the FCPS schedule.
Location: NAMI office at
Information: DeDe Pucino at 301-831-3764
FREE
Dec. 9, 2009
7-8:30pm
Workshop: Stress Management for Parents of
Children with Special Needs
Sponsor: FCPS Rock Creek School
PTA
Content: All parents, grandparents and guardians are welcome to come hear
presenter Kiesha Edmunds, RMP, NCTMB, a certified
massage therapist and clinical staff member of
Location:
Information: call Bill Derbyshire at 240-236-8705
FREE
Dec. 10-11, 2009
8:30am-4pm
Workshop: Gayle Porter-Developer of PODD
(Pragmatic Organization Dynamic Display)
Sponsor: AT:LAST, INC.
Content: Simply put, PODD is a way to systematize "20
Questions" so the child/individual can begin to see a pattern in how
vocabulary is presented. This system is a very organized means of
Partner-Assisted Communication. The partner systematically asks the student a
series of questions to navigate from page to page. The page numbers are listed
on every tab, as well as color coded to assist the partner. This system is
based on the use of aided language stimulation techniques using a low tech
communication system, requiring only paper and a binder to hold it. It can use
the capabilities of human partners to enable children who have complex
difficulties to communicate NOW.
Location: Christ Episcopal Church,
Information and registration (by Nov. 27th): 410-381-2667 or communications@matcoop.org FEE
Dec. 12, 2009
10am-1pm
Event: Sibshop-for
ages 8-11
Sponsor: The Arc of
Content: Sibshops are a celebration of the
many contributions made by brothers and sisters of kids with special needs. Sibshops reflect a belief that brothers and sisters have
much to offer one another -- if they are given a chance. Siblings participate
in a spirited mix of new games (designed to be unique, off-beat, and appealing
to a wide ability range), participate in discussion activities, and get to know
others who have something in common with them -- a sibling with a disability.
Information: Contact Colette Hough about location and
registration at 301-663-0909 or Chough@arcfc.org FREE
Dec. 14, 2009
9-10:30am
Event: Mom’s Support Group of Children with
Mental Illness, including ADHD
Sponsor: Frederick National
Content: If you are a Mom of a child (even an adult child) with Mental
Illness (this includes ADHD) and would like to gather with other moms, please
come and bring your thoughts and questions and we’ll have a great time. This group will meet weekly and will follow
the FCPS schedule.
Location: NAMI office at
Information: DeDe Pucino at 301-831-3764
FREE
Dec. 19, 2009
10am-2pm
Event: Parents’ Day Out
Sponsor: The Arc of
Content: Parents’ Day Out
provides much needed respite care to parents and guardians of children with
developmental disabilities. At The Arc,
the training room magically evolves into a playroom full of toys, games, books
and laughter where children can participate in a wide variety of activities
including crafts, games and outdoor play while in a safe, supervised
environment. The program is staffed by
two Arc employees and young adults from local civic and church groups as well
as other volunteers from the
Location: The Arc of Frederick, 620A
Information and to get a registration form: 301-663-0909
FREE
Dec. 21, 2009
9-10:30am
Event: Mom’s Support Group of Children with
Mental Illness, including ADHD
Sponsor: Frederick National
Content: If you are a Mom of a child (even an adult child) with Mental
Illness (this includes ADHD) and would like to gather with other moms, please
come and bring your thoughts and questions and we’ll have a great time. This group will meet weekly and will follow
the FCPS schedule.
Location: NAMI office at
Information: DeDe Pucino at 301-831-3764
FREE
Jan. 4, 2010
9-10:30am
Event: Mom’s Support Group of Children with
Mental Illness, including ADHD
Sponsor: Frederick National
Content: If you are a Mom of a child (even an adult child) with Mental
Illness (this includes ADHD) and would like to gather with other moms, please
come and bring your thoughts and questions and we’ll have a great time. This group will meet weekly and will follow
the FCPS schedule.
Location: NAMI office at
Information: DeDe Pucino at 301-831-3764
FREE
Jan. 13, 2010
7-8:30pm
Workshop: The Ins and Outs of Transitioning
from FCPS to the Adult World
Sponsor: FCPS Rock Creek School
PTA
Content: All parents, grandparents and guardians are welcome to come hear
presenters Bill Derbyshire, LCSW-C, and staff from Service Coordination.
Location:
Information: call Bill Derbyshire at 240-236-8705
FREE
Feb. 4, 2010
7-9pm
Workshop: Understanding the Parents Role in
the IEP Process
Sponsor: Parents Place of Maryland
Content: This workshop is for parents of children with disabilities
and professionals. It covers basic
information on such topics as the importance of parent input in a child’s
education, understanding special education and IEPs,
keeping special education records, resolving differences, and becoming an
effective advocate for your child.
Location: The Arc of
Information: Haydee de Paula
at 301-984-5777 ext. 275 or haydeed@arcmontmd.org
or www.ppmd.org FREE
Feb. 24, 2010 (Snow Date
March 3)
9am-11am
Workshop: An Overview of the Special
Education Process
Sponsor: FCDC Infants and Toddlers Family Support, FCPS Partners for
Success,
Content: This workshop is designed
to give parents, or any interested party, a basic knowledge of the special
education process. For parents who have
never been to an IEP meeting or who have attended an IEP meeting feeling
ill-prepared and unsure of themselves, this is a great
workshop to start preparing you to be an informed partner in being able to
develop your child’s IEP. Presenters
are Beth Rhodes, FCPS Special Education Elementary Instructional Coordinator,
and Kelly Meissner, Parents Place Parent Educator.
Location:
Information and registration: Julie DeRoner at
301-600-1617 or Susan Donoghue-Rick at
240-236-8744. FREE
March 10, 2010
Evening-TBA
Workshop: The Worried Child: Identifying
and Treating Anxiety in Children
Sponsor: Frederick County Public Schools Partners for Success and FCDC
Infants and Toddlers Family Support
Content: All children suffer anxiety at some time in their lives. The first day of school, a big test, or
meeting new people can cause stress. But
when a child develops severe anxiety, parents and caregivers may have questions
about when and where to seek help. Dr.
Erin Martin, a clinical psychologist with the National Institute of Mental
Health (NIMH), will discuss symptoms and treatments for anxiety disorders.
Location: Gov. Thomas Johnson Middle School Media Center,
Information: Susan Donoghue-Rick-Partners
for Success at 240-236-8744
March 20, 2010
SAVE THE DATE!
Large RESOURCE FAIR—Lots of vendors—trainings—food---activities for
children!!!
More information to follow.
May 6, 2010
7-9pm
Workshop: The Parent Role in Determining
the Least Restrictive Environment
Sponsor:
Content: Participants in this workshop will learn what the Federal and
Location: The Arc of
Information: Haydee de Paula
at 301-984-5777 ext. 275 or haydeed@arcmontmd.org
or www.ppmd.org FREE