FAMILY SUPPORT CENTER

Month of September 2025

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Nutrition Considerations for Individuals with Down Syndrome

7:00 PM - 8:00 PM | FREE Virtual Event

Join us for an informative session on the unique nutritional needs of individuals with Down syndrome, led by registered dietitian Andrea Heyman, MS, RD, LDN. This presentation will explore key dietary considerations, common health concerns, and practical strategies to support overall well-being through nutrition. Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or educator, you'll gain valuable insights and actionable tips to promote a healthy and balanced diet. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from an expert in the field and enhance your understanding of nutrition's role in supporting individuals with Down syndrome! Visit registration page. Sponsored by the Down Syndrome Association of Maryland and Kennedy Krieger.

Month of August 2025

Thursday, August 21, 2025

Promoting Independence in Digital Communication for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) 7:00 p.m.

Presented by the Down Syndrome Association of Maryland and DSNMC

In today’s digital world, the ability to communicate through email and text is essential for social connection, self-advocacy, and increased independence. This session will focus on breaking down the barriers individuals with IDD often face when using these tools and will introduce evidence-informed strategies to foster confidence and independence in digital communication. Participants will leave with a toolkit of video models and visual checklists tailored to support step-by-step learning and promote independence. Visit registration page.

Friday & Saturday, August 15-16, 2025

CARE Program (Caregiver Advocacy and Resiliency Experience) Program begins Friday at 5:00 p.m. and runs through Saturday at 4:00 p.m.

Sponsored by the Mental Health Association of Maryland

Located in Central Maryland near BWI (specific address given to accepted applicants)
Do you know a parent or caregiver seeking support for their child with mental health needs? The CARE Program is here to help. Our free, two-day training program equips parents and caregivers with the skills to become better advocates for their child and all youth with specific needs. Participants will gain:
- Tools for leadership and advocacy
- Strategies for working with schools
- Self-care practices for caregivers
Meals, accommodations, and stipends for travel/childcare are provided! Visit registration and information page.

Wednesday, August 13, 2025

Making Mornings More Manageable: Strategies to Start the Day with Less Stress
Wednesday, August 13, 2025 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Virtual Event | Free
In this session, Monica Kelly and Christina Semanchik will share practical tips to help your family’s morning routine smoother and more predictable. You will learn how to reduce stress, create helpful routines and support your child in starting the day feeling calm and ready. Visit registration page: https://pathfindersforautism.org/makingmorningsmanageable/
Sponsored by Behavioral Framework and Pathfinders for Autism.

Wednesday, August 6

Igniting Independence with AT & AT Financing

(Free virtual event)  1:00-2:00pm

Sponsored by the Maryland Department of Disabilities

We will explore the latest advancements in assistive technology and provide an overview of MDTAP's services, with a focus on the newest hearing and vision technologies. Additionally, we will discuss financial options for assistive technology loans, including devices such as hearing aids, vision aids, communication aids, as well as home modifications and vehicles. Visit registration page. Live captioning provided, to request additional accommodations, please contact mdod.nva@maryland.gov at least three business days before event.

Month of July 2025

Wednesday, July 23

School Rediness: Supporting the Journey from Home to Classroom (webinar)  12:00-1:00pm

Presented by Monica Kelly, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA

We’ll explore the everyday skills that help children succeed in the classroom – like following directions, communicating, and handling transitions. Discover easy ways to build these skills at home and feel more confident about your child’s next big step into school.

Visit registration page. Sponsored by Pathfinders for Autism and Behavioral Framework.  Free

Thursday, July 24

Social Skills and Executive Functions in Teens with ADHD: Interventions That Help (webinar) 1:00pm

Presented by Steven W. Evans, Ph.D

As adolescence sets in, the behavior approaches of elementary school lose their power. Parents need new strategies to guide their teens with ADHD through the social and executive function challenges of middle and high school. The first step is to understand how impairments can lead to serious social and academic problems. Then, research and explore services that have been shown to deliver short- and long-term benefits for adolescents with ADHD.
In this webinar you will learn:
Why youth with ADHD typically have problems with academic and social functioning.
The approaches for improving the social and academic functioning of adolescents with ADHD that research suggests are most promising
Ideas for how to apply the evidence-based approaches to unique problematic areas.
Strategies for effectively approaching educators with requests for useful services.

Visit registration page. Sponsored by ADDitude
Free

Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee (SECAC)

Join us each Thursday at the end of the month from 7:00- 9:00pm virtually in Zoom

*Interpretation is available.

SECAC is a committee made up of parents/guardians, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) staff members, and representatives of Montgomery County community groups that advocate for students with special needs and serve to advocate for, and advise, the Office of Special Education. 

Please sign-up to and join our SECAC meetings! SECAC is open to everyone.

Please complete this form to help us plan future meetings and to receive emails.

Family Resources 

• Annual Notification on Implementing Equivalent Access for Students with Disabilities (Md. Code, Educ. § 7-910)
• Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee (SECAC) website has monthly meeting agendas, links to our monthly virtual SECAC meetings, and an archive of videos and presentations
• MCPS Parent Academy has workshops that provide families with useful information and resources to support their children's academic and emotional well-being, as well as help them to be college and career ready.
• The ALO Brochure was created to help parents understand what it means when a student is being instructed and assessed on Alternate Learning Outcomes (ALO).
• MCPS Annual Special Education Summit for Parents/Guardians - Video Presentations & Slides
• MSDE Family Support Section of the Family Support and Dispute Resolution Branch, responds to parent inquiries, assists parents with navigating Maryland's early intervention and special education systems, and provides parents with school system resources.
• Local Family Support is provided by the Department of Special Education Services. Information is listed below.
• MCPS Compliance Manual
• Assistive Technology Guide for IEP Teams
• Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services
• Student, Family, and School Services
• Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey
• What an IEP Contains - English | español | 한국어 | tiếng Việt | 中文 | français | አማርኛ      Explanation of the contents of the IEP which corresponds to the pages in your child’s IEP.  Select the hyperlinks within the .pdf document to view the corresponding IEP page(s).
• Introduction to Secondary Transition Services - Workshop Presentation - 3/13/19 
• Parents'/Guardians' Workshop Presentation - 12/5/2018
• Parents'/Guardians' Guide to an Initial Evaluation IEP Team Meeting: English | español | 한국어 | tiếng Việt | 中文 | français | አማርኛ
• Parents'/Guardians' Guide to an IEP Development/Review Team Meeting: English | español | 한국어 | tiếng Việt | 中文 | français | አማርኛ
• Parents'/Guardians' Guide to a Reevaluation IEP Team Meeting: English | español | 한국어 | tiếng Việt | 中文 | français | አማርኛ
• Video: What happens prior to IEP meetings and parent involvement in the IEP process
• Understanding IEP Goals and Monitoring Your Child's Success - Parent Workshop- 2/28/2018
• 5 Tips to Maximize Your Involvement in the IEP Process:English | español | 한국어 | tiếng Việt | 中文 | français | አማርኛ
• Parent Information about Grading & Reporting for Students with Disabilities
• Maryland Learning Links
• Maryland State Department of Education
• Partnership for Extraordinary Minds
• Autism Society Montgomery County
• Learning Disabilities Association of America
• Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education (MCIE)
• Join our MCPS Special Education Facebook Page

MSDE Parent Information Series

MSDE is proud to partner with families through the publication of their new Parent Information Series. These booklets provide essential information for families of students with disabilities from ages 3 through 21 on important topics that increase collaboration between home and school in planning for their child's education.

New! A Companion Guide to the Alternate Education Framework

MSDE is pleased to offer the latest in our Parent Information Series, A Companion Guide to the Alternate Education Framework. This guide provides information for families to better understand IEP team decisions around participating in the alternate state assessments and alternate academic achievement standards for our students with significant cognitive disabilities. We hope that this information assists our families in ensuring they have what they need to fully participate as equal partners in the decision making process.

Download the Booklet  |  Spanish Version

Special Education Process - Guide 1

The first booklet in the series takes the parent from referral through evaluation and eligibility determination. This booklet provides tips for the parent to understand their role in order to actively participate at each meeting for each process.

Download the Booklet  |  Spanish Version

Parental Rights - Guide 2

The second booklet in the series discusses some of the key elements in the Procedural Safeguards/Parental Rights Handbook that parents are given during annual review and other IEP team meetings. It explains their legal rights in clear terms and is a companion (not replacement) to the larger Brochure.

Download the Booklet  |  Spanish Version

Understanding the IEP - Guide 3

This booklet takes parents through each section of the IEP and briefly explains what should be there and why. There are some legal requirements explained, as well as things the parent should expect from their IEP teams.

Download the Booklet  |  Spanish Version

Secondary Transition - Guide 4

The final booklet in the series provides parents with information about secondary transition. It is fairly comprehensive and includes information about other agencies and services that students may engage with once they leave high school. It also provides parents and students with tips and steps that they can take to facilitate this important transition.

Download the Booklet  |  Spanish Version

Contact: Alison Barmat
Department of Early Intervention/Special Education Services
Office: (410) 767-7770
alison.barmat@maryland.gov

Organizations, Academies, and Programs

The Down Syndrome Network of Montgomery County (DSNMC)

https://dsnmc.org/

The Down Syndrome Network of Montgomery County serves individuals with Down syndrome and their families in Montgomery County, MD and the surrounding region.

The DSNMC helps people with Down syndrome lead self-determined lives. They do this through education and support programs, advocacy, and initiatives that span the lives of individuals with Down syndrome from birth through adulthood. 

They also provide information and support to professionals who work with individuals with Down syndrome.

Partnership for Extraordinary Minds- xMinds

https://xminds.org/about

xMinds is a collaborative partnership of parents, educators, and service providers working together to improve the educational experience and outcomes for autistic students in Pre-K–12 education in Montgomery County, MD.

Maryland Coalition of Families 

https://www.mdcoalition.org/

Maryland Coalition of Families (MCF) is a state-wide nonprofit dedicated to connecting, supporting and empowering families who are experiencing behavioral health challenges. 

They also advocate to improve services and systems that impact individuals with behavioral health challenges and to reduce stigma related to behavioral health.

Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee (SECAC)

SECAC is comprised of parents/guardians, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) staff members, and representatives of Montgomery County community groups that advocate for students with special needs and serve to advocate for, and advise, the Office of Special Education.

SECAC hosts a 2-hour meeting each month, open to everyone. Parents, families, advocates, educators are all encouraged to participate each month through the academic year.

Parent Academy - To Go

As our school district continues to navigate through COVID-19, we want our families and students to remain engaged with us throughout the school year. Student, Family and School Services is very excited to provide "Parent Academy TO GO," a series of virtual presentations for families to participate and view at home.  

Parent Academy TO GO is designed to inform and empower families as advocates and partners in their children's education. Workshops provide families with useful information and resources to support their children's academic and emotional well-being, as well as help them to be college and career ready. Through a variety of learning opportunities hosted by MCPS staff and community partners, we hope to strengthen our engagement with families and the community. We recognize that behind every successful student are supportive families, teachers, school staff and community members who take an active role in educating our students.

What parental rights do I have regarding the IEP? 

The Maryland State Department of Education has developed Division of Early Intervention and Special Education Services Parent’s Guide to Understanding Your Individualized Education Program (IEP) Rights and Responsibilities in Maryland which summarizes all rights that parents have such as notice, disagreement, participation, and copies of certain documentation.

If you have further questions regarding your parental rights, you may refer to the Parental Rights, Maryland Procedural Safeguards Notice, contact your child’s case manager at the school, or contact the Resolution and Compliance Unit at 240-740-3230.

Resolution and Compliance Unit

MSDE Family Support and Dispute Resolution Branch

MSDE Family Support Section of the Family Support and Dispute Resolution Branch, responds to parent inquiries, assists parents with navigating Maryland's early intervention and special education systems, and provides parents with school system resources.

Special Education State Complaint Resolution Procedures

State Complaint Form (Birth - 3 Individualized Family Service Plan or 4 if extended Individualized Family Service Plan)

State Complaint Form (3 - 21 Individualized Family Service Program)

Request for Mediation/Due Process Form

Listing of Free or Low Cost Assistance for Special Education Disputes

Parent Information Series on Procedural Safeguards

Procedural Safeguards/Parent Rights Brochure

A Parent’s Guide to Frequently Asked Questions about Special Education State Complaints

A Parent's Guide to Frequently Asked Questions about Special Education Mediation

A Parent's Guide to Frequently Asked Questions about Special Education Due Process Complaints

IDEA Dispute Resolution Processes Comparison Chart