Special Education Information for Parents at New Town Elementary School Baltimore County
Hello, My name is Chris, PTA Special Ed Liason for New Town Elementary and I am creating this lens as a resource tool for my son's school. For any New Town Parents who need to contact me please feel free to do so at my e-mail: Chrism524@hotmail.com. I will not be posting any personal contact information on this site. As a mom with two children who have special needs, I have had to do alot of research and learning about how to be my childrens' best advocate as well as finding all the available resources to help us. I am will be compiling all the information I have learned thus far as well as to continue to update with new info.
List of useful websites
I will be compiling a list of websites I have found very useful, this is what I have so far...
- The Parents' Place of Maryland
- A center for families of children with disabilities. It offers parent education courses and workshops, information and referral services as well as advocacy services. They have a quarterly newsletter and an extensive lending library. FREE!
Phone: 410-768-9100 - The Resource Network At Kennedy Krieger Institute
- Provides information on disabilitis for families and professionals.
Phone: 800-390-3372 - Children & Adults with Attention Deficit Disorders CHADD of Greater Baltimore
- A monthly support group, newsletter and lending library for parents of children and adults with Attention Deficit Disorder.
Phone: 800-233-4050 (National Call Center - The Resource Center for Families and Schools Parent Support in Special Education Baltimore County Public Schools Department of Professional Development
- Supports parents of children with disabilites ages birth to 21. The center activites include but are not limited to the following:
Maintains a multi-media lending library on a wide range of special education topics.
Teams with educators to teach free workshops
Offers support to parents who need someone to talk to.
Phone: 410-887-5443
Address: White Oak School
8401 Leefield Road, Room 100
Baltimore, MD 21234 - National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY)
- An information clearinghouse that provides information on disabilities and disability-related issues. In addition to publication on disability issues they offer.
Personal responses to questions on disabilit issues
Referrals to other organizations and agencies
information searches of NICHCY's database and library
technical assistance to parent and professional groups
Phone: 800-695-0285
NICHCY
P.O. Box 1492
Washington, D.C. 20013-1492 - Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education (MCIE)
- An information and advocacy organization to promote the education of students in the least restrictive environment (LRE). Lending library on site and newsletter available to members. FREE
Phone: 410-859-5400
MCIE
7484 Candlewood Road, Suite R
Hanover, Maryland 21076 - Abilities Network/Epilepsy Foundation of the Chesapeake Region
- Offers information and referral, support programs, assistance with the IEP process, advocacy, and counseling
Phone: 410-828-7700
Abilities Network/Epilepsy Foundation of the Chesapeake Region
8503 LaSalle Road
Towson, MD 21286 - Maryland Disability Law Center (MDLC)
- Private non-profit law center that protects and advocates for the rights of children and adults with disabiliies. An intake officer is available to answer question about special education law. Call for times. Also publishes free booklet, "Special Education Rights... and Wrongs"
Phone: 410-727-6532
MDLC
1800 N. Charles Street, Suite 400
Baltimore, Maryland 21202 - Balt. County Dept. of Rec. Therapeutic Recreation Services
- Offers a variety of recreational opportunities and services countywide. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to participate in all community programs. They will strive to make reasonable accommodations for full participation.
Phone 410-887-5370
Balt. Co. Dept. of Rec. Therapeutic Services
301 Washington Avenue
Towson, MD 21204
Baltimore County, Maryland, Parents Quick Reference
For answers to questions about Special Ed. in Baltimore County Public Schools
Issues and Concerns: FREQUENT COMMUNICATION is the KEY to your child's success
When discussing concerns about your child, contact the support staff in the following order:
1. Talk with the teacher/therapist
2. Talk with the IEP chairperson
3. Talk with the principal
4. Talk with the Special Education Area Specialist for your school
5. Talk with the Area Assistant Superintendent's staff
Remember: In most cases, the best information and answers to your questions can be obtained at your child's school.
When discussing concerns about your child, contact the support staff in the following order:
1. Talk with the teacher/therapist
2. Talk with the IEP chairperson
3. Talk with the principal
4. Talk with the Special Education Area Specialist for your school
5. Talk with the Area Assistant Superintendent's staff
Remember: In most cases, the best information and answers to your questions can be obtained at your child's school.
Quick Reference for Special Education Supports
BCPS Special Education Office 410-887-3660
Area Specialists 410-887-3660
Adapted Physical Education 410-887-4014
Assistive Technlogy 410-887-2299
Child Find / Parent Surrogates 410-887-3017
Deaf and Hard of Hearing 410-887-3660
Infants & Toddlers 410-887-2169
Mediation/Due Process 410-887-2169
Non-Public Placement 410-887-5549
Psychological Services 410-887-0303
Related Services 410-887-3660
Section 504 410-887-0238
Transportation 410-887-4321
Resource Center for Families and Schools 410-887-5443
Area Specialists 410-887-3660
Adapted Physical Education 410-887-4014
Assistive Technlogy 410-887-2299
Child Find / Parent Surrogates 410-887-3017
Deaf and Hard of Hearing 410-887-3660
Infants & Toddlers 410-887-2169
Mediation/Due Process 410-887-2169
Non-Public Placement 410-887-5549
Psychological Services 410-887-0303
Related Services 410-887-3660
Section 504 410-887-0238
Transportation 410-887-4321
Resource Center for Families and Schools 410-887-5443
Maryland Autism Waiver Waiting List
If you have a child on the spectrum make sure to get them on the list...
Maryland's Autism Waiver Program is for children diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum. The program is based on a first come first serve basis. Because there are so many autism cases in Maryland there is a huge waiting list. When I put my two boys on the list about 3 months ago they were almost number 2000 on the list. That being said, it is still a good idea to go ahead and get your child on the list, even though it will probably take years to receive any benefits, you should go ahead and get the ball rolling.
The Autism Waiver Program information is as follows:
Autism Waiver Services Registry
12051 Indian Creek Court
Beltsville, Maryland 20705-1260
Wavier Services Registry Help Line: 1-866-417-3480 (toll free)
It is very easy to get on the waiting list, just make sure you have your child's social security number when you call.
The Autism Waiver Program information is as follows:
Autism Waiver Services Registry
12051 Indian Creek Court
Beltsville, Maryland 20705-1260
Wavier Services Registry Help Line: 1-866-417-3480 (toll free)
It is very easy to get on the waiting list, just make sure you have your child's social security number when you call.
Special Education Lingo for Dummies
What the heck is an IEP anyway?
You are going to find that the Special Education World has a whole bunch of new terms, numbers, and forms that will sound like a new language in the beginning. It may seem overwhelming at first but here is my little cheat sheet of terms you are going to hear on a regular basis
504 Form - This is sort of a generic form that is used for Special Ed. services when no other code is appropriate or available for your child.
IEP- Stands for Individual Education Program. This is the personalized cirriculum that will be developed for your child's special needs. Once you have a specific code, the IEP is put into place. You will have the opportunity to have lots of imput for your child's IEP, and always remember that you can call for a review of the IEP if you feel that there are significant issues that need to be revisited or readdressed.
Special Ed Advocate- These are people who come to your Team IEP meeting to advocate the best interests of your child. There are paid professional Advocates and also Pro Bono (Free) Advocates available through certain programs and resources available.
Code Numbers: There are different codes that the state uses for special ed. diagnosis. I don't know all the codes but for example: Code 14 is for Autism. The code number will dictate as to what services your child will be eligible for.
504 Form - This is sort of a generic form that is used for Special Ed. services when no other code is appropriate or available for your child.
IEP- Stands for Individual Education Program. This is the personalized cirriculum that will be developed for your child's special needs. Once you have a specific code, the IEP is put into place. You will have the opportunity to have lots of imput for your child's IEP, and always remember that you can call for a review of the IEP if you feel that there are significant issues that need to be revisited or readdressed.
Special Ed Advocate- These are people who come to your Team IEP meeting to advocate the best interests of your child. There are paid professional Advocates and also Pro Bono (Free) Advocates available through certain programs and resources available.
Code Numbers: There are different codes that the state uses for special ed. diagnosis. I don't know all the codes but for example: Code 14 is for Autism. The code number will dictate as to what services your child will be eligible for.
Some Useful Addresses and Other Information:
State of Maryland
Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
201 W. Preston Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
Toll Free: 1-877-4MD-DHMH
web site: www.dhmh.state.md.us
Baltimore County Infants & Toddlers Program
Northwest Center Located at Hannah More
12035 Reisterstown Road
Reisterstown, Maryland 21136
Phone: 410-887-1173
Fax: 410-887-1174
Voice Mail: 410-517-1065
Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
201 W. Preston Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
Toll Free: 1-877-4MD-DHMH
web site: www.dhmh.state.md.us
Baltimore County Infants & Toddlers Program
Northwest Center Located at Hannah More
12035 Reisterstown Road
Reisterstown, Maryland 21136
Phone: 410-887-1173
Fax: 410-887-1174
Voice Mail: 410-517-1065
Getting your child immediate urgent mental health care at Shepherd Pratt Health Systems
Don't let the stigma keep you from getting the help your child needs... The SKIP Program can help you
One of the hardest decisions my husband and I as parents ever had to make was to put our son into the inpatient autism unit at Sheperd Pratt last year. With stereotypical visions of how hollywood portrays Mental Hospitals in my head, my first thought was, "There is no way these white coats are going to take my baby away from me." Yet I knew we were a family in crisis and our son needed help ASAP.
The oncall evaluating psychiatrist was very matter of fact and let us know in no uncertain terms that he needed to be inpatient. Even though he did not have the best bedside manner, I knew he was right, and it was still a hard decision none the less.
This is the time where you have to have the toughest love you can manage, to do what is best for your child and not what is easiest for you. You really have to think of this the same way you would if your child had Cancer. You certainly would not deny treatment for your child if that were the case.
One of the best things about living in the Balimore area is that we have some of the best mental health resources in the country and Shepherd Pratt is just that.
When we got to the Autism Unit, the nurses were so empathetic and caring, understanding our grave reservations about leaving our 6 year old. The head nurse let us know exactly how things were to play out and the aids made our son feel at home and happy right away, and took him out to the terrace to play basketball while we got paperwork done. Everyone was so reassuring it was not at all like my horrific movie visions I had in my head.
The hardest part for me was saying goodbye to our son, but he was so comfortable that he said goodbye and ran off to check out his new room.
to be cont...
The oncall evaluating psychiatrist was very matter of fact and let us know in no uncertain terms that he needed to be inpatient. Even though he did not have the best bedside manner, I knew he was right, and it was still a hard decision none the less.
This is the time where you have to have the toughest love you can manage, to do what is best for your child and not what is easiest for you. You really have to think of this the same way you would if your child had Cancer. You certainly would not deny treatment for your child if that were the case.
One of the best things about living in the Balimore area is that we have some of the best mental health resources in the country and Shepherd Pratt is just that.
When we got to the Autism Unit, the nurses were so empathetic and caring, understanding our grave reservations about leaving our 6 year old. The head nurse let us know exactly how things were to play out and the aids made our son feel at home and happy right away, and took him out to the terrace to play basketball while we got paperwork done. Everyone was so reassuring it was not at all like my horrific movie visions I had in my head.
The hardest part for me was saying goodbye to our son, but he was so comfortable that he said goodbye and ran off to check out his new room.
to be cont...
Immediate help at Shepherd Pratt The SKIP Program
If you need immediate mental health assistance for your child contact Shepherd Pratt's SKIP Program at: 410-938-5302
They will make a same day or next day appointment at the very latest for a psychiatrist to evaluate your child and decide whether they need to be inpatient or not.
The benefit to this approach is you will have your child inpatient at one of the best mental health facilities in the country as opposed to being directed from some random ER to their general mental health wing.
They will make a same day or next day appointment at the very latest for a psychiatrist to evaluate your child and decide whether they need to be inpatient or not.
The benefit to this approach is you will have your child inpatient at one of the best mental health facilities in the country as opposed to being directed from some random ER to their general mental health wing.
THE BEST TIP I CAN GIVE YOU!
Make a IEP notebook for your child...
The best thing you can do for yourself and your child is to make a IEP Notebook with dividers and pockets to organize all the information you will be receiving regarding your child's special needs, and IEP.Ofcourse you can organize your notebook anyway you would like, but this is how I did mine:
I use a 3 ring binder with around a 3 inch spine. I used dividers with different sections to organize my papers.
I have a section for New Town IEP's, evaluations, etc., I have a section for private medical services, and evals, a section for your child's personal info. like social security, health insurance no., pharmaceutical cards etc. so you have all the information handy and you don't need to run around the house looking for it, and a misc. section for whatever else needs to be included. I also got this cool little gadget that is a take along 3 ring hole punch that fits right on the rings of your binder. You will always have it handy for any papers you need to 3 hole punch right away. It really makes for easy organization. I got mine at Office Depot for about 3 dollars. I imagine you can also get it at like Staples or Walmart, or similar stores as well.
This notebook is going to become your IEP/Special Ed Bible, and you will soon learn you can't live without it, so make sure you have a special place in the home where you can always find it.
I know that this sounds like alot of work and a pain but it really will save you tons of time in the long run. This was an original tip from my sister who is a PT for Montgomery County Schools and she is constantly involved with her students IEPs.
If you have any questions or need help setting up your notebook please feel free to e-mail me at: Chrism524@hotmail.com. I will be happy to help you out.
