ORDER OF BUSINESS
- Call to Order, Facebook Live, Zoom etiquette
- Welcome and Introductions
- Purpose and Vision
- The Howard County Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee (SECAC) advises the school system on the needs of students with disabilities. We collaborate with other community disability advocacy groups to improve special education and the lives of our students in Howard County, MD.
- Special Presentation: Transitioning Youth (slides available below)
- Youth ages 14 and up have a lot of things to consider once they leave high school. IDEA requires that “all children with disabilities have available to them a free and appropriate public education that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment, and independent living.” The future holds so much for our youth. Hear from panel experts from the community and school system, and self-advocates who will share their experiences in the transitioning process. It is also never too early to start planning for your childʻs future, so parents of younger children might be interested to learn more. We welcome your contribution and meaningful input.
- Anna Marie DeWitt, former HCPSS student
- Missie Baxter (Instructional Facilitator for Special Ed (High School), Betsy Tornquist (Secondary Transition Project Coordinator MCIE, state gov as well).
- Beth B. Co-Chair Country Commission on Transitioning Students with Disabilities
- Ande Kolp, Exec Directory Arc of Maryland
- Questions
- Do reading difficulties qualify students?
- Eligibility would be through DORS or DDA.
- What is available for literacy post-secondary?
- There are credit or pre-credit courses available at CC. Trade training as well. CC will supply accommodations.
- Looking for a club/support group for teens with disabilities inter-school?
- Not many inter-school options.
- In pre-COVID times Monthly there was a Girls’ Night Out for middle school girls. It was run by SLP, special educators, School Psychologists. Will restart when we return in the fall.
- Other groups
- Announcements:
- Wrightslaw books. “Special Education Law” and “From Emotions to Advocacy” are available for parents. Choose 1 book and email us to reserve your copy.
- As always, keep an eye on our website as we update it when we receive new information! View News and Advocacy https://howardcountysecac.com/news-and-advocacy
- SECAC Board
- Outreach Subcommittee - Darria Wise, Dianne Hendry, Marcia Morales
- Policy Committees
- 4070 Fund Balance and 4100 Investments
- One policy will need more updating than the other.
- 1-1 Advocacy and Support
- Department of Special Education Introductions and Updates
- https://www.hcpss.org/special-education/behavior-talks/
- HCPSS, HCAS, SECAC co-hosted a parent webinar on Compensatory Education and Recovery Services
- Posted soon - FAQs available below.
- IEP progress reports by April 29th
- Special Ed Evaluations - working several strategies to get through the backlog. Virtual for early intervention and in person. Helping parents use private providers, seeking to find a vendor for virtual assessments.
- Extended School Year (ESY) Services
- Meetings should have already happened.
- ESY will run July 6 - July 30
- Virtual and in person options, email soon confirming that option.
- Need to be in DC, MD or VA to receive virtual options.
- Transportation and meals provided.
- Transition meetings will be held/
- Concern about lack of special education information at the Digital Education Center (DEC) meeting.
- DSE working with Caroline Walker’s team on this.
- Still having conversations about returning from DEC to in person for special education students as well.
- Contact Dr Walker for more information. caroline.walker@hcpss.org
- Next Meeting Dates
- May 19, June 16 via Zoom.
- Adjournment
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Upcoming Social Groups
SUPER SOCIAL MIDDLE SCHOOLERS WITH ARTSTREAM!
Thursdays July 8, 15, 22 & 29 4:00 p.m.
Zoom Session
Middle-school aged self-advocates with intellectual disabilities can come together online with two instructors from ArtStream for an hour of interactive activities such as role playing and improv games. You will have fun, build confidence and work on your communication skills. ArtStream will email you the Zoom link 24-48 hours before the meeting. Each meeting has a limited number of seats and may have a waitlist so please cancel if you cannot attend. Please contact Yvonne at yhucotto@hotmail.com with any questions. Please register at https://cdspg.kindful.com/e/summer-social-club-with-artstream-and-cdspg-middle-schoolers
Sponsored by HCPSS and the Chesapeake Down Syndrome Parent Group, this is open to any student with an intellectual disability. Free
SUPER SOCIAL HIGH SCHOOLERS WITH ARTSTREAM!
Thursdays July 8, 15, 22 & 29 5:15 p.m.
Zoom Session
High school aged self-advocates (ages 14-21) with intellectual disabilities can come together online with two instructors from ArtStream for an hour of interactive activities such as role playing and improv games. You will have fun, build confidence and work on your communication skills. ArtStream will email you the Zoom link 24-48 hours before the meeting. Each meeting has a limited number of seats and may have a waitlist so please cancel if you cannot attend. Please contact Yvonne at yhucotto@hotmail.com with any questions. Register at
https://cdspg.kindful.com/e/summer-social-club-with-artstream-and-cdspg-high-schoolers
Sponsored by HCPSS and the Chesapeake Down Syndrome Parent Group, this is open to any student with an intellectual disability. Free