Spring Family Support Newsletter
March, April, May 2021
Welcome Spring
I always tell my own kids, that you have to find a positive out of every negative. Some positives are the new technologies we have learned and the new ways to "meet" with folks, since the in person isn't available right now. Hopefully, some of these "new" skills will help us down the road, even when we are back in person. Remember, it is okay to have bad days, we just can't "live" there. Find a positive, no matter how small. We got this!!
Please contact me for ANY assistance you may need; whether it is educational, emotional or otherwise.
Come on Spring!!
~Tammy
tlchish@carrollk12.org or 410.751.3955
Family Support Birth thru age 21
Email: tlchish@carrollk12.org
Website: https://www.carrollk12.org/instruction/specialeducation/community/family/Pages/default.aspx
Location: 495 South Center Street, Westminster, MD, USA
Phone: 410.751.3955
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
Twitter: @CcpsOf
March Family Support Nights
March 9, Family Fun Night: A chance to get together and have some fun and share some positives. It will also be a time to share any future concerns or worries. Below you will find how the night will be structured. Link to Sign Up Genius:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E094FA8A822A5FF2-family
March 22, Working with Transitioning Youth: Presentation by Division of Rehabilitation Services (appropriate for Middle School and High School students with disabilities who are looking for guidance with work placement, resumes, etc...)
Link to Sign Up Genius: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E094FA8A822A5FF2-working
See the Flyer above for what is coming up in April and May!!
Want to learn more about my role in Carroll County Public Schools as the Family Support person for Birth thru 21?? Check out the ScreenCastify below.
**MSDE State Survey NEEDS YOU!!
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD! YOUR OPINION MATTERS!
Parents or guardians of children receiving special education and related services will be mailed the Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey from the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services during the week of February 8, 2021. Parents are asked to complete the survey and return it in the postage paid envelope by May 21, 2021. The survey may also be completed online. Please look for details in your survey packet. Your feedback will help guide efforts to improve special education and related services in your local school system. Your voice can make a real difference for your child and many other children across the state of Maryland. To learn more, please visit https://www.mdparentsurvey.com.
SECAC (Special Education Citizen's Advisory Committee) and Town Hall Meetings
Dates and Times:
- March 17-Virtual Town Hall-6:00-8:00
- April 21-SECAC (Carroll County ARC)-6:00-8:00
- May 19-Virtual Town Hall-6:00-8:00
For morning information or to join SECAC email:
Gretchen Rockafellow @ garocka@carrollk12.org or
Susan Rodriguez @ susan4220@gmail.com
Additional Resources
Additional Food Resources:
WIC-410-876-2152 or email: mailto:carroll.wic@maryland.gov
Shelter/Housing: https://hspinc.org/shelter/
Diapers/Wipes: http://www.carrollbaby.org/
Electricity: https://hspinc.org/homeenergy/
Cold Weather Shelter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WgFLukBKtRArbQEkkmIsOu6T_Mm0OwXc/view?usp=sharing
Behavioral Health Crisis
Carroll County Mobile Crisis: 410-952-9552 or https://www.thesantegroup.org/carroll-county-crisis
Step Behavioral Health: https://www.stepsbh.com/
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
Crisis Text Line: 741-741
**Always call 911 in the event of a behavioral health emergency.**
Domestic Violence
Family and Children's Services-Carroll County Office: 410-876-1233 or https://www.fcsmd.org/featured_item/carroll-county-office/
Carroll County Hotline 24/7: 443-865-8031 or https://www.fcsmd.org/domestic-violence/
Child Abuse: To report suspected child abuse or neglect or to request assistance in an overwhelming situation where children may be at risk, call, 410-386-3434.
State and Local Resources
Children's Mental Health Matters:
https://www.childrensmentalhealthmatters.org/resouces/coronavirus/
Carroll County Behavioral Health Resources and Services Directory:
https://healthycarroll.org/behavioral-health-directory/
E-SMART:
https://www.esmartcarroll.net/covid19
Maryland Learning Links: Resources about the IEP and the IEP Process:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EMYdkrmrWb_S_ngvbIRM3292baTXFpNg/view?usp=sharing
Virtual Resources and Updated Websites
CCPS Autism Behavioral Support Site: https://sites.google.com/carrollk12.org/autismbehaviorresources
CCPS Social Emotional Resources: https://sites.google.com/carrollk12.org/ccps-learning-resources/home?authuser=0
CCPS Family Resources: https://sites.google.com/carrollk12.org/family-communityconnections/home
Social
Baltimore Area Special Needs Hockey, Inc: https://www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=baltimoresaintshockey
Sensory Friendly Day-Friday, November 20-Land of Little Horses: https://landoflittlehorses.com/events-calendar/
Chesapeake Down Syndrome Parent Support Group (open to all disabilities): http://www.cdspg.org/events
Carroll County Recs and Parks Spring and Summer Registration: Carroll County Government | Program Registration Carroll County, Maryland (carrollcountymd.gov)
YMCA (go to Programs and Camps): Class Schedules & Swim Schedules | The Hill Y in Westminster (ymaryland.org)
When to Cancel Services (birth to Kindergaren Parents) and when to keep your child home (Kindergarten to Age 21): A good reminder
To determine when you or your child should not participate in services or attend school due to illness please consider the following two factors:
1. The first step would be to determine how your child feels—a sick child is probably not going to benefit from the school and/or services; and
2. Secondly, it is important to consider whether the condition is contagious. Every effort is made to provide school/services in a healthy environment and to prevent the spread of illness.
The following are times when your child probably should not be receiving services, either at home, in a center (birth-Kindergarten) or in school (all students):
â A temperature of 100 degrees or over– your child should be free of fever for 24 hours without medication, before resuming services or sending your child to school.
â Vomiting or diarrhea that continues during the night and into the morning-your child should be free of vomiting and diarrhea for 24 hours.
â Respiratory symptoms accompanied by a fever.
**For Birth-K families receiving services in home or in a child care setting: If your child or another family member has been diagnosed with an illness such as chicken pox, strep throat, impetigo, live lice, or ringworm please contact your service provider, early intervention nurse to discuss when your child should resume services. If you are unsure about your child's ability to participate in his/her program, an early intervention nurse can consult with you and assist you in making this decision.
**For School Age children: if your child has chicken pox, impetigo or live lice, they should be kept at home. For strep throat and ringworm, consult your child’s doctor.
â The best way to prevent spread of germs is frequent hand washing.
From the Department of Health of Maryland:
COVID-19-like illness is defined as:
1-Any 1 of the following: cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, new loss of taste or smell, OR
2-At least 2 of the following: fever of 100.4 degrees or higher (measured or subjective), chills or shaking chills, muscle aches, headache, sore throat, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, and congestion or runny nose.
Please do not send your child to school if he/she has any of the above symptoms. Please report this information to the school that your child attends as soon as possible.
Family Support Lending Library
Lending Library:
Inclement Weather Reminders
**For Birth-Kindergarten Families receiving services in home or in a child care setting:
In the event of inclement weather, please listen to local radio or television stations or check the CCPS website for school closings, late openings, or early dismissals to determine if your home visit, therapy appointment, evaluation, group, or meeting has been canceled.
*Closed*—When CCPS is closed there will be no home visits, appointments, evaluations or meetings.
2-Hour late —Appointments before 10:00 a.m. are canceled. Appointments after 10:00 a.m. held as scheduled.
1—hour late —Appointments before 9:00 a.m. are canceled. Appointments after 9:00 a.m. held as scheduled.
Early closing 3 hours—Appointments after 12:30 will be canceled
Early closing 2 hours—Appointments after 1:30 will be canceled
Early closing 1 hour—Appointments after 2:30 will be canceled.
NOTE: When home-based services resume following a snowfall, please be certain to clear a space for staff to park and assure a clear path to the entrance door.
**School aged children should follow CCPS Inclement weather policies and procedures (Currently in a Hybrid situation, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, if school is closed, students do NOT need to log on and attend class. If bad weather occurs on a virtual Wednesday, students are required to log in and participate in school.)
Birth to Kindergarten
The Birth to Kindergarten program has a new look!! Check it out!!
CCPS Birth to Kindergarten, new link: https://sites.google.com/carrollk12.org/birthtokindergarten/home
Another great resource is Ready at Five: https://www.readyatfive.org/
For some resources to help during COVID:
Caring for each other: https://www.sesamestreet.org/caring
Health Emergencies: https://sesamestreetincommunities.org/topics/health-emergencies/
"For Now" Normal: https://autism.sesamestreet.org/coping-with-covid/
COVID-19 Family Resources:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MpLIJN2Fl8AeitIDV8T9QWnHQdodDyxV/view?usp=sharing
Supporting Young Children and Families during COVID-19
So many resources in Carroll County for Birth to K!! If you need more help, contact me!! I would be more than happy to help guide you!!
Judy Center Early Learning Hubs at Robert Moton, Cranberry Station, Elmer Wolfe and Taneytown Elementary Schools
The Carroll County Public Schools Judy Center Early Learning Hubs at Robert Moton, Cranberry Station, Elmer Wolfe and Taneytown Elementary Schools serve the needs of families with children in the above school districts ages prenatal up to age 5. Additionally, any child with an IEP or IFSP in Carroll County can also receive support from the Judy Center Early Learning Hubs. We offer a variety of comprehensive services to support children and families. Our ultimate goal at the Judy Center is to support children’s success in school and in life.
Our Programming Includes:
- Come Learn With Me Playgroups held weekly
- Family Engagement Events and Activities
- Family Support
- Partnerships with local childcare providers to ensure the availability of quality care
- Summer Programming
- Parent Workshops
- Parents as Teachers Home Visitation Program
- Collaborations with community resources/ agencies
- Referrals for support services
- Monthly Newsletters
*We will still be holding virtual playgroups, family events and parent sessions during COVID.
Interested in learning more about the Judy Center Early Learning Hub?
Please visit the CCPS webpage here:
https://www.carrollk12.org/instruction/curriculum/judycenter/Pages/default.aspx to learn more!
Transitions Connections Academy
Post-Secondary changed it's name!! Post-Secondary is now called Transition Connections Academy (TCA).
Mission:
The Carroll County Public Schools Transition Connections Academy is dedicated to empowering young adults with disabilities so they will be self-directed individuals, responsible citizens, autonomous communicators, and active participants in their community workplace.
We recognize and value individuality and focus on nurturing the unique gifts and talents each of our students have to offer.
Our mission is to provide relevant academic instruction, authentic vocational experiences, and to build strong community partnerships so our students are prepared with skills they will need to face the challenges of the future.
For more information contact Mary Pat Dye, Program Coordinator @ mhdye@carrollk12.org or call 410-751-3620
Unfortunately the Transition Fair was canceled for Spring, 2021, but here is something to get excited about!! Transition Fair 2022 is coming!! Stay tuned for more details and information!!
Waivers!! You may be eligible for additional funds through waivers!!
Your child may be eligible for other services through the state of Maryland. If you need any help with filling the waivers out, contact Tammy @ tlchish@carrollk12.org
Maryland Department of Health Developmental Disabilities Administration: https://dda.health.maryland.gov/Pages/home.aspx
DDA application: https://dda.health.maryland.gov/Pages/Developments/2015/dda_ea_application.pdf
DORS: https://dors.maryland.gov/consumers/Pages/referral.aspx
Family Supports Waiver:
https://dda.health.maryland.gov/Pages/DDA_FAMILY_SUPPORTS_Waiver.aspx
Cinnamon Apple Snack
Cinnamon Apple Snacks Recipe - Vegan | Gluten Free | Kid Friendly (thehonoursystem.com)
Spring Coloring Page
Coloring pictures is always a fun way to spend time with your family:
Spring Coloring Sheet: 9Tzx7EGLc.gif (1480×1915) (coloringhome.com)
Cool Crafts for the Family
Crafts can be fun and help with fine motor skills, sorting, identifying colors and objects!!
Go to: Use our Butterfly Template to make this gorgeous Butterfly Craft for Kids (iheartcraftythings.com)
Number Tracing
Shape Hunt and Shape Fun
Letter Sorting and Other Letter Activities
ADA Accessibility Statement
Carroll County Public Schools (CCPS) does not discriminate on the basis of disability in employment or the provision of services, programs or activities. Persons needing auxiliary aids and services for communication should contact the Communications Office at 410-751-3020 or publicinfo@carrollk12.org, or write to Carroll County Public Schools, 125 North Court Street, Westminster, Maryland 21157. Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, may use Relay or 7-1-1. Please contact the school system at least one (1) week in advance of the date the special accommodation is needed.
Information concerning the Americans with Disabilities Act is available from the Director of Facilities Management, (410) 751-3177, or the Communications Officer, (410) 751-3020, 125 North Court Street, Westminster, Maryland 21157.