Please email securep@cespta.net if you have any questions.
SECAC
Under law, Howard County Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee (SECAC) advises the school system on the needs of students with disabilities. SECAC collaborates with other community disability advocacy groups to improve special education and the lives of our students in Howard County, MD.
Thanks to everyone that come out for the meeting on October 7th. We were so glad Dr. Martirano was able to speak to the group and answer questions. The meeting notes can be found here: https://howardcountysecac.com/october-7th-meeting-notes
The next meeting will be November 13th at WLMS from 7-9pm:
SECAC MONTHLY MEETING WITH DR. KEVIN GILBERT
The speaker for the November meeting will be HCPSS Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Dr. Kevin Gilbert. He will talk about how special education fits into his office and answer questions from the SECAC community.
To submit questions by November 8, please visit https://forms.gle/ZJ4chzn7z7JbNCnf7. If you are unable to pre-submit questions, we will have an opportunity to submit them the evening of the event. Anyone involved in Special Education in Howard County is invited to attend and participate in our meetings including parents, students, caregivers, educators, community partners, service provides and school administrators. We welcome your contribution and meaningful input.
For more information contact SECACChair@gmail.com or visit www.howardcountysecac.com.
Other meetings this school year will be:
- December 11, 2019 (End of the year social event. We will be asking for donations of food and paper products. We will send a Sign Up Genius link soon.)
- January 8
- February 12
- March 11
- April 15
- May 13
- June 10
All are held at Wilde Lake Middle School from 7-9:00pm.
Previous meeting notes:
October 7
September 11
Questions about Special Education in Howard County?
HCAS offers advice, guidance, and support through consultations, workshops, and seminars. Topics include IEPs, school services, modifications, accommodations, and regulations under state and federal law. If necessary, a free phone consultation with an attorney specializing in special education law can be arranged.
Call: 410-290-3466
E-mail:AskusSpEdquestions@howard-autism.org
Visit: Special Education News Center on our website
AMC Sensory Friendly Films
AMC is proud to partner with the Autism Society to offer unique movie showings where we turn the lights up, and turn the sound down, so you can get up, dance, walk, shout or sing! Our Sensory Friendly Film program is available on the second and fourth Saturday (family-friendly) and Tuesday evenings (mature audiences) of every month. Please check your local theatre listings for specific showtimes, and don’t forget to share your family fun with #AMCSensoryFriendly.
https://www.amctheatres.com/programs/sensory-friendly-films
SENSORY FRIENDLY STORIES & FUN
Children of all abilities and their caregivers are welcome to this supportive, judgment-free class that includes stories, music, and movement in a small group. Ages 3-5 with adult; 30 min. If you would like a reminder for this class, please provide an email address. Registration is required.
Date: Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Time: 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Branch: Central Branch
Register online or by calling 410-313-7800.
Date: Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Time: 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Branch: Central Branch
Register online or by calling 410-313-7800.
Date: Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Time: 6:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Branch: Miller Branch
Register online or by calling 410-313-1950.
Date: Saturday, October 26, 2019
Time: 3:30 PM – 4:10 PM
Branch: Savage Branch
Register online or by calling 410-313-0760.
Date: Tuesday, October 29, 2019
Time: 1:30 PM – 2:15 PM
Branch: East Columbia Branch
Register online or by calling 410-313-7700.
Date: Tuesday, November 05, 2019
Time: 10:15 AM – 10:45 AM
Branch: Elkridge Branch
Register online or by calling 410-313-5077.
Date: Tuesday, November 05, 2019
Time: 11:15 AM – 11:45 AM
Branch: Elkridge Branch
Register online or by calling 410-313-5077.
Date: Monday, November 18, 2019
Time: 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Branch: Miller Branch
Register online or by calling 410-313-1950.
Date: Monday, November 18, 2019
Time: 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Branch: Central Branch
Register online or by calling 410-313-7800.
Date: Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Time: 6:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Branch: Miller Branch
Register online or by calling 410-313-1950.
NAMI BASICS EDUCATION COURSE
Wednesdays, October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, and November 6, 2019 6:30-9:00pm
Location in Columbia, please register for details.
A 6-week course specifically designed for parents and other primary caregivers of children and adolescents who are living with mental illness. The course follows a structured format and includes practical insights on issues frequently faced by families dealing with mental illness. The class is taught by trained parents who have lived similar experiences with their own children. It is not necessary that your child has received a specific diagnosis. Sponsored by NAMI, National Alliance on Mental Illness. For more information or to register, please contact 410-772-9300 or
yblackston.namihc@gmail.com.
POWERFUL TOOLS FOR CAREGIVERS
Tuesdays, October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, November 5, 2019 1:00-3:00 pm
Cedar Lane School
11630 Scaggsville Road
Fulton, MD 20759
If your child has special health and/or behavioral needs, don’t miss this dynamic program! This series explores a variety of self-care tools in a supportive environment designed to help parents: reduce personal stress, manage your emotions, change negative self-talk, make tough caregiving decisions, and communicate more effectively in challenging situations. Previous participants found that the program tools improve relaxation and exercise habits, as well as their physical and mental well-being. The tools also helped them better manage their emotions, increased confidence in the ability to meet caregiving demands, and improved their ability to seek out and utilize community resources. Our goal is to improve the lives of parents, and ultimately their children, through outreach, conversation, training, and resources.
The $30 fee covers all materials. For more information or to register, contact Kathy Wehr caregiver support program manager 410-313-5955 (voice/relay) kwehr@howardcountymd.gov. Sponsored by the Howard County Office on Aging and Independence Department of Community Resources and Services.
2019 MENTAL HEALTH FILM FESTIVAL
When: Wed, October 23, 6pm – 9pm
Where: Regal UA Snowden Square Theater
9161 Commerce Center Dr. Columbia, MD 21046
One evening. Four films. Hundreds of community members who care about mental health. Join the Horizon Foundation for the 2019 Mental Health Film Festival, an event to build awareness and compassion for members of our community living with mental health challenges.
Attend one of four film screenings, each followed by a time for attendees to reflect, ask questions and connect with others. Hear from local experts including psychiatrists, crisis counselors, social workers, youth, school system staff and people sharing their own experiences and journeys with mental health.
This event is FREE. Registration is required. Learn more & register for your free ticket at http://bit.ly/2019MHFF Please register for only ONE film. Sponsored by the Horizon Foundation.
WRIGHTSLAW SPECIAL EDUCATION LAW AND ADVOCACY TRAINING
When: Thu, October 24, 9:00am – 4:30pm
Where: Sheraton Baltimore Airport Hotel
100 Old Elkridge Landing Rd Linthicum Heights, MD 21090
Wrightslaw training program featuring Pete Wright, Esq.
This one-day special education law and advocacy program will focus on four areas:
- Special education law, rights and responsibilities
- Tests and measurements to measure progress & regression
- SMART IEPs
- Introduction to tactics & strategies for effective advocacy
Wrightslaw programs are designed to meet the needs of parents, educators, health care providers, advocates, and attorneys who represent children with disabilities regarding special education. The program is not disability specific. See the agenda, cost and registration information at: www.ppmd.org/event/wrightslaw/
Sponsored by The Parents’ Place of Maryland.
Join us for October’s Monthly Speaker Series on Bullying, October 21st at HCAS from 7-9pm. The session is open to families of children with any disability.
Guest speakers will be Mallory Finn and Alyssa Navarrette, staff attorneys with Project HEAL (Health, Education, Advocacy, and Law), a community-based program of the Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities at Kennedy Krieger Institute.
They will address:
-What to do if your child is being bullied at school
-What is the process for reporting the incident to the school?
-Learn to identify types of bully, individuals affected by bulling, locations where bullying occurs, and why it is a problem in the school setting.
2019 Marine Corps Marathon
Join Athletes vs Epilepsy and Run with the Marines in Washington, DC!
Athletes vs Epilepsy has your ticket to an amazing weekend! Join us for the 44th Marine Corps Marathon and 10K as we celebrate the accomplishments that we have made to raise funds to help find cures and save lives!
The event is composed of runners from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and more than 50 countries. Known as “The People’s Marathon,” the MCM and 10K is open to all runners ages 14 and above.
The 44th MCM and 10K will take place on Sunday, October 27, 2019. Register today and join other Athletes vs Epilepsy participating in the Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday, October 27th and raise funds to help stop seizures and find a cure for epilepsy. Your efforts will raise awareness in support of the nearly 3.4 million people in the U.S. living with the challenges of epilepsy. (Athletes must be 14 years of age or older on the date of the race in order to participate.)
More Information
Fitness First Fall 2019 – Lifetime Fitness
Join us at Fitness First!
Member-Only Event
(FREE to HCAS members)
Sunday, October 27 2019 from 6:30-8:30 pm
Lifetime Fitness
7220 Lee DeForest Drive
Columbia, MD 21046
6:30-7:30pm – Large gym for games and activities
7:30-8:30pm – Pool time
One Slice of Pizza, bag of chips, and water will be distributed after event is over (Please register for gluten free pizza if needed).
Please register each person individually here. Limited Spots Available!
Questions? Email at info@howard-autism.org or call 410-290-3466.
CYBER SAFETY: GAMING AND SOCIAL MEDIA
Monday, October 28, 2019 12:00-1:30pm
NonProfit Collaborative of Howard County
9770 Patuxent Woods Drive (Training Room)
Columbia, MD
Presented by Dr. Vincent Culotta of Neurobehavioral Associates. This presentation will examine the impact of social media and video games among children and adolescents from a neuroscience perspective. Dr. Culotta will review data regarding the use of networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, SnapChat, and Tumblr. Texting/sexting and safety for adolescents will be discussed. Recommendations will be offered regarding a more healthy strategy for social media and video game use in the home. This is part of the brown bag workshop series sponsored by the Howard County Autism Society and Pathfinders for Autism. To register, please visit https://pathfindersforautism.org/2019-2020-howard-county-brownbag-workshops/
THE “INS” AND “OUTS” OF SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY IN HCPSS
When: Wed, October 30, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Where: HCLS East Columbia Branch
6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD 21045
When: Wednesday, November 13, 2019 6:30-8:30pm
Where: Savage Branch Library
9525 Durness Lane Laurel, MD 20723
Families can learn about speech-language services in HCPSS and have the opportunity to talk to Speech-Language Pathologists at each level (Infant-Toddlers, RECC, elementary, middle, & high). Representatives from the library will present information about resources available at the library that promote speech-language development in children of all ages. Bonnie Bricker will present information on “Talk With Me,” a program about strategies to develop communication skills with babies and toddlers. Sponsored by HCPSS
TECHNIQUES FOR SUCCESS: STRATEGIES FOR EDUCATING STUDENTS WITH DOWN SYNDROME AND OTHER SPECIAL NEEDS
Saturday, November 2, 2019 8:00am-4:00pm
Turf Valley Resort
2700 Turf Valley Road
Ellicott City, MD 21042
This year’s speakers and topics include:
- Executive Functioning in Schools and at Home by Kristen Jacobsen, CCC-SLP
- Behavior Intervention and Innovative Teaching by Stacy Taylor, MA, B.C.B.A.
- Inclusive College Program for Students with Intellectual Disabilities by Dr. Thomas Neuville
- Preventing Elopement and Law Enforcement Support for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities by Officer Laurie Reyes
- Apraxia and Literacy by Corie Reuschlein, CCC-SLP
- Improving Inclusion for Students who take Alternate Assessments by Ricki Sabia, JD
- Presentations by Self-Advocates
- Spanish Language Debriefing facilitated by Javier Valera
The registration is $45 and includes a full-day of conference sessions, boxed lunch, networking, presenter materials, book discounts from Woodbine and CEU credits (approval pending). To register, please visit http://www.techniquesforsuccess.org/ Techniques for Success is sponsored jointly by Maryland Down Syndrome affiliates Chesapeake Down Syndrome Parent Group (CDSPG), the Down Syndrome Network of Montgomery County (DSNMC) and F.R.I.E.N.D.S. of Frederick County.
2019 SPECIAL NEEDS RESOURCES FAIR
When: Sat, November 2, 9am – 1pm
Where: St. Elizabeth School, 801 Argonne Dr, Baltimore, MD 21218
This free event explores the journey of having a child with special needs. Addressing a child’s early diagnosis up to their post-graduation transition, the Special Needs Resources Fair has the programs, services, and resources available to help families of children with special needs make their journey easier. Our goal is to connect families to the many resources available—whether it’s information on speech therapy, sensory integration, summer camps, schools, assistive technology devices, or advice on estate planning. Fifty exhibitors on hand to give advice and answer questions.
To register, please visit https://www.stelizabeth-school.org/resources. Sponsored by St. Elizabeth School.
PLAYGROUP!
Wednesday, October 16, 2019 9:30-11:00 am
November 6 & 20 2019 9:30-11:00 am
December 4 & 18, 2019 9:30-11:00 am
Roger Carter Center
3000 Milltowne Drive
Ellicott City, MD 21043
The Family Support and Resource Center is pleased to offer a playgroup for parents and their children that receive Early Intervention Services (ages birth through preschool). Come join us for an informal morning of play and actual adult conversation! Playgroup will meet the first and third Wednesday of every month through June 3, 2020 and is open to any family who has a child with an IEP or IFSP. Siblings are always welcome. Please call the Family Support and Resource Center at 410 313-7161 with questions. We look forward to seeing you! If school is delayed or cancelled due to weather, the group will not meet. There will be no playgroup on January 1, 2020.
Asperger’s Family Support Group
November 7, 2019 – 7:30 – 9:00pm
December 12, 2019 – 7:30 – 9:00pm
Howard County Autism Society, 9770 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia, MD
ROBINSON NATURE CENTER SENSORY FRIENDLY SUNDAY
Sunday, November 10, 2019 11:30am-12:30pm
Monthly on the second Sunday, until Dec 17, 2019
Robinson Nature Center
6692 Cedar Ln, Columbia, MD 21044, USA
This monthly event is designed for families with kids, teens, and adults with sensory processing differences, autism spectrum disorder, or developmental disabilities. The center opens early, allowing visitors to enjoy a calm environment. Explore the exhibits, Discovery Room, nature trails and/or outdoor NaturePlace play area. Sensory alert maps, sensory backpacks and quiet areas are available. While walk-ins are welcome, we encourage you to reserve your space ahead of time by visiting Howard County Recreation and Parks.
To find out more about what you can expect, see http://www.howardcountymd.gov/RNC/sensoryfriendlyvisit
Sunday, September 8, 2019 11:30am-12:30pmSunday, October 13, 2019 11:30am-12:30pm- Sunday, November 10, 2019 11:30am-12:30pm
- Sunday, December 15, 2019 11:30am-12:30pm
Accessible Game and Craft Fun for Adults
Date: Sunday, November 10, 2019
Time: 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Branch: Central Branch
Adults of all abilities enjoy accessible games, puzzles, and freestyle crafting in a sensory friendly environment.
No registration required.
General Support Meeting — an open discussion support group for families
November 12, 2019 – 7:00-8:30pm
December 17, 2019 – 7:00-8:30pm
Howard County Autism Society, 9770 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia, MD
FREE Yoga for Children & Teens with Autism
November 16, 2019 –3:30-4:30pm
December 7, 2019 –3:30-4:30pm
December 21, 2019 –3:30-4:30pm
Please arrive 10-15 minutes prior to start time to sign in and get ready.
Yoga Center of Columbia, 8950 MD-108, #109, Columbia, MD
Made possible through a grant from The Hussman Foundation
Monthly Speaker Series — Speaker TBA
November 18, 2019 – 7:00-9:00pm
Howard County Autism Society, 9770 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia, MD
THE INS & OUTS OF MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL
Thursday, November 21 2019 6:30-8:30
Harpers Choice Middle School
5450 Beaverkill Rd
Columbia, MD 21044
What parents of students with disabilities want to know about transitioning to middle school and high school. Topics include:
MIDDLE SCHOOL ACADEMICS
Are the grading standards different at the middle school level? When will my child work on IEP goals? What is double dosing? What are the guidelines in communicating with the seven teachers? What is Canvas and how do parents access this tool?
MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES
How will my student navigate lockers, A days, B days, changing for PE and the new organizational demands of middle school? How will my child be involved in dances and intramurals?
HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMICS
Credits, scheduling, electives, assessments, and Bridge Plans are just a handful of the topics covered in this breakout.
HIGH SCHOOL SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES
Dances, sports, after school activities, safety, discipline and independence – high schools come with their own set of rules for navigating the social world of these mini cities. How will I understand how to help my child with all this?
WORK STUDY, CAREER & COMMUNITY EXPLORATION, START ON SUCCESS, COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS, PROJECT SEARCH
You may have heard about these programs, but what are the details of each, and most importantly, are they appropriate for your student?
Sponsored by HCPSS. For further information please call the Family Support & Resource Center at 410 313-7161.
Sensory Friendly SANTA! at the Mall in Columbia
November 24, 2019 – 8:00-9:30am
December 8, 2019 – 8:00-9:30am
Lower Level Near Lord & Taylor – No pre-registration required. Please check in with our volunteers when you arrive.
2019 Inclusion Jingle Bash
Friday, December 13, 2019 at 6 PM – 10 PM
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
2892 MD-97, Glenwood, Maryland 21738
Camp Inclusion presents the 2019 Inclusion Jingle Bash! Our organization is putting on a fun event for children, teens and young adults on December 13th, 2019. We would like to provide our parents of students with special needs the opportunity to have a date night from 6-10 PM while their child/young adult joins us for a fun night of holiday activities, hot cocoa, and dancing! This event is open to all individuals interested in our inclusion program.
The cost will be $40 per individual to cover care expenses for the 6-10 time frame. Sign up link coming soon!
Check our Facebook event for updates: https://www.facebook.com/events/676782589463731/
Howard County Autism Society Pieces of the Puzzle Gala — CASINO NIGHT!
April 25, 2020 – 7:00-Midnight
Turf Valley Resort, Ellicott City, MD