MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Division of Specialized Support Services → Special Education Services
The Montgomery County Police - Autism/Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), Alzheimer’s and Dementia Outreach Unit has worked to create what is now a “Culture of Action” in Montgomery County.
A CULTURE OF ACTION! WEBINAR
This webinar addresses:
MCPS Families & MC Police Dept. are Saving Lives! NPR REPORT
SECAC meets on Thursday, February 26 at 7PM
Meeting Link is coming soon!
SECAC hosts monthly meetings in a virtual setting to collaborate with families, community groups, advocates, and MCPS staff for the purpose of enhancing special education services & outcomes for students.
Reach-out to a staff member in MCPS Special Eduation Services for support:
Who to Contact in Special Education (in English)
A quién contactar en educación especial (in Spanish)
MaryBeth Mantzouranis
Family Support Services Coordinator
Department of Special Education
Montgomery County Public Schools
Email: Marybeth_O_Mantzouranis@mcpsmd.org
Cell: 240- 753- 9487
Office: 240-740- 3900
Family Support Center staff are committed to provide information to parents and families to work as equal partners with MCPS.
MCPS Family Support Center seeks to:
*While the Family Support Center and MCPS do not endorse any business, activity, or group, we do encourage you to utilize resources to support your needs and interests.*
MCPS Winter Resource Fair
Wednesday, February 25 at 5PM-7PM
Location: Carver Educational Service Center (CESC) Cafeteria
850 Hungerford Drive, Rockville, MD 20850
Stop by CESC to grab resources and make connections!
Attendance and parking is FREE
LIVE In-Person Event | Free
Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee (SECAC) Meeting
Begins at 7:00pm on ZOOM | SECAC Webpage
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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 (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.
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.
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.
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 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
The Montgomery County Police - Autism/Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), Alzheimer’s and Dementia Outreach Unit has worked to create what is now a “Culture of Action” in Montgomery County.
A CULTURE OF ACTION! WEBINAR
This webinar addresses:
MCPS Families & MC Police Dept. are Saving Lives! NPR REPORT
SECAC meets on Thursday, February 26 at 7PM
Meeting Link is coming soon!
SECAC hosts monthly meetings in a virtual setting to collaborate with families, community groups, advocates, and MCPS staff for the purpose of enhancing special education services & outcomes for students.
Reach-out to a staff member in MCPS Special Eduation Services for support:
Who to Contact in Special Education (in English)
A quién contactar en educación especial (in Spanish)
