Parents with a child in special education know that in 2004, the federal government reauthorized and made revisions to the special education law, IDEA 2004.
Revisions in the federal law require Maryland to revise state regulations to comply with the federal law. The revised regulations now are available for public comment and the Maryland State Department of Education has several ways for families to provide public comment on the revised regulations.
Many times, the voices of families caring for a child with mental health needs are not heard at public hearings. We encourage you to write, e-mail or testify on these new regulations so that the needs of children with mental health issues are not overlooked in this process. Keep reading for details on how to join the discussion.
-Jane A. Walker
Executive Director
Coalition’s New Baltimore City Office!
The Coalition is proud to announce the opening of our Baltimore City office. Thanks to the Family League of Baltimore City, we have joined with Maryland Choices to provide wraparound to children and families in Baltimore City. Baltimore Mental Health Systems has also supported staff to provide one-to-one advocacy for any family caring for a child with mental health needs in the Baltimore City.
Please come to help us celebrate the opening of our Baltimore office! When you come, learn about wraparound services for youth and support services for families in Baltimore City.
Date: June 27, 2006
Time: 10am-1pm
Where: 2300 N. Charles St., 3rd Floor, Baltimore MD 21218
Entrance on 23rd Street
RSVP: Elizabeth Hernandez - 410-261-2101
Parking: On the street - so bring quarters
P.S. Our main office continues to be located in Howard County.
Public Comment on Proposed Special Education Regulations
Amendments to the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) proposed by the Maryland State Department of Education Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services were published in the Maryland Register on June 9, 2006. Specifically, proposed amendments cover COMAR 13A.05.01, COMAR 13A.05.02, COMAR 13A.08.03 and COMAR 13A.08.04.
Comments on the proposals now are being solicited; the comment period is open through July 10. Comments must be received no later than close of business on July 11, 2006.
Written comments may be mailed to the attention of Donna Riley at the Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services, Maryland State Department of Education, 200 West Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201-2595; sent by fax to 410-333-8165; or e-mailed to driley@msde.state.md.us.
In addition, public hearings will be conducted to ensure public opinion regarding the proposed amendments is heard. Those wishing to make oral public comment must be registered to speak. To register, contact Andrew Wilson at the Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services, 200 West Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201-2595; phone 410-767-0858; fax 410-333-1571; or e-mail awilson@msde.state.md.us no later than 4 p.m. the day prior to the applicable public hearing. Each registered presenter will have three minutes to present their testimony and should bring a written copy of their comments to the hearing for the moderator.
Appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities will be provided upon request; eight business days’ notice prior to the event is requested. Contact Andrew Wilson to request such accommodations.
Each public hearing is set for 7 p.m.–9 p.m. at these locations:
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Board Room
2644 Riva Road
Annapolis, MD 21401
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Montgomery County Public Schools
Board Room
850 Hungerford Drive
Rockville, MD 20850
Thursday, June 22, 2006
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Sondheim Hall Room 109
5401 Wilkens Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21228
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Easton High School
Cafeteria
723 Mecklenburg Ave.
Easton, MD 21601
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Frederick County Public Schools
Staff Development Room
7630 Hayward Road
Frederick, MD 21702
Open Public Meeting Aug. 29–30, 2006
Action on the regulations will be considered by the State Board of Education during a public meeting to be held Aug. 29–30, 2006, in the 7th Floor Board Room of the State Education Building, 200 West Baltimore St. in Baltimore.
If you have any questions, contact Donna Riley at driley@msde.state.md.us or by telephone at 410-767-0858.
Youth Leadership Retreat Set
A weekend of adventure, fun and creativity awaits participants in the Maryland Coalition of Families for Children’s Mental Health Youth Leadership Weekend Retreat July 28–30, 2006.
Youth with emotional and mental health needs can feel voiceless as they face their challenges—either unable to put into words what they need and want, or unheard when they do speak up. Sharing with others who feel the same and can offer support and help can make a difference.
Designed for youth ages 14–21, the FREE retreat will be held at Camp Pecometh in Centreville, MD. Call Connie Escoe at 301-946-2947 for more information or to get an application.
Family Resource Specialist Position Available
The Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health, based in Rockville, Md., is looking for applicants for the position of co-Family Resource Specialist. This person would apply expertise in the area of family involvement to represent the interests of children, adolescents and their families to system of care communities in the delivery of integrated care across multiple national service providers to improve mental health services and outcomes.
Special consideration will be given to family members of children with emotional or mental health challenges. Send résumé, cover letter and salary requirements to Ivonn Ellis-Wiggan at ielliswiggan@hotmail.com or to the Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health, 9605 Medical Center Drive, Suite 280, Rockville, MD 20850. Ivonn also can be reached at 856-218-8984.
Book Review: “Crazy” by Pete Earley
“If my son had broken his leg, most doctors would have agreed on the diagnosis and treatment.”
– Author, Pete Earley
It is a “crazy” system of care for children with mental health needs, the source of the book’s title. Parents who have children struggling with mental health issues face this and a myriad of bewildering challenges: medications, treatments, diagnoses, symptoms. Top it off with providers, interfamily relations, stigma and normal family life and, yes, it can indeed be life in a blender! The new book, Crazy, by Pete Earley describes in an easily understandable way the challenges he encounters with his son’s struggle with schizophrenia. He details the difficulties of dealing with doctors and a system of providers that’s so complex that it often prevents the treatments that are prescribed. Go to www.peteearley.com for more information on this book.
Upcoming Events
Open House, Coalition’s Baltimore City Office,
2300 N. Charles St., June 27, 10am-1pm
RSVP at 410-261-2101
- Proposed Special Education Regulations Public Hearings
- Annapolis, 2644 Riva Road, June 20
- Rockville, 850 Hungerford Drive, June 21
- Baltimore, 5401 Wilkens Ave., June 22
- Easton, 723 Mecklenburg Ave., June 27
- Frederick, 7630 Hayward Road, June 28
- Maryland Coalition Transition Focus Groups
- Baltimore City, 2300 N. Charles St., June 27
Contact the Coalition at 410-730-8267 or 1-888-607-3637; e-mail info@mdcoalition.org.
- 2006 Youth Leadership Weekend Retreat—July 28–30.
