Special Education Services

MCPS Services to Support Families

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In support of the core values of the MCPS strategic planning framework and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA), DSSS is committed to promoting improved academic achievement and social emotional success for all students with disabilities. Parents/guardians are valued partners with school staff members in planning the student’s services through the Individualized Education Program (IEP) decision-making process. All decisions regarding the placement of a student with a disability will be made by an IEP team in collaboration with parents/guardians consistent with the requirements of the Federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Services by Age Group

MCPS Family Support Center

MCPS Family Support Center seeks to:

• Increase parental involvement in the early intervention and special education decision making process.
• Increase collaborative relationships through information and training.
• Assist families in resolving concerns and making informed decisions regarding their child's education.
• Provide information about disabilities and school system and community resources.

MSDE Family Support

The MSDE Family Support Section provides the following support:

• Provides strategic collaboration and support with families, partners across State agencies, across divisions within MSDE, among public education agencies, and advocates and community partners.
• Provides information, policy guidance, and frameworks that govern the provision of early intervention services and special education, including actions in response to new legislative policies, and transparent and ongoing communication with families.
• Provides clarification on federal and State special education laws and regulations to local school system/agency family support staff and families.
• Provides Statewide training opportunities to all local school system/public agency family support staff and community partners; and
• Provides direct training for new local family support staff.

MSDE, Division of Special Education, Family Support Contact:
Family Support Services
410-767-7770
familysupport.specialeducation@maryland.gov

Local Family Support Coordinators provide the following support:

• Responding to family concerns by phone, face to face meetings, or emails;
• Provides support to parents about the IEP process, including preparation for the IEP meeting, and implementation of services;
• Provide suggestions for parents to prepare for IEP meetings;
• Follow-up with parents throughout the IEP Process;
• Arranging parent-to-parent contacts and social or support activities;
• Sponsoring playgroups; and Operating a lending library.

The following directory and information can be found on the MSDE website:
https://marylandpublicschools.org/programs/Pages/Special-Education/FSDR/FamilySupport.aspx

Local Family Support Services Coordinators

B - 5, Infants and Toddlers
Main Office
1401 Rockville Pike, Suite 200
Rockville, MD 20852

Deborah Gudger, FSN Coordinator
240-777-4809
deborah.gudger@montgomerycountymd.gov

Rhina Castro, FSN Assistant
240-777-1248
Rhina.castro@montgomerycountymd.gov

5 - 21, Office of Special Education
850 Hungerford Drive, Room 234
Rockville, MD 20850

MaryBeth Mantzouranis
Family Support Services Coordinator
240-753-9487
marybeth_O_mantzouranis@mcpsmd.org

MSDE Dispute Resolution

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.

• Maryland Assessment, Accessibility, and Accommodations Manual
• Parents' Guide to Habilitative Services (English) |  Spanish
• IDEA Dispute Resolution Processes Comparison Chart
• Parent Information Series on Procedural Safeguards
• Maryland Procedural Safeguards Notice
• Procedural Safeguards/Parent Rights Brochure
• Special Education State Complaint Resolution Procedures
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• State Complaint Form (Part B)
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• State Complaint Form - Part C
• Request for Mediation and Due Process Complaint Form
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• Listing of Free or Low Cost Assistance for Special Education Disputes
• 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
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• A Parent's Guide to Frequently Asked Questions about Special Education Due Process Complaints
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• MSDE Directory of Local Family Support Services Coordinators (updated on September 2026)

Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation Incident Reporting  

Upon receipt of MCPS Form 230-35, Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation Reporting Form, the school principal/designee must promptly conduct an adequate, reliable, and impartial investigation. The investigation must be documented by completing this form. Principal/Designee must use this form, MCPS Form 230-36, Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation Investigation Form, to promptly and appropriately investigate reports of bullying, harassment, or intimidation consistent with due process rights, within two school days after receipt of a reporting form or as timely as possible for school administration or administrative designee.