It's September and all the fall sports—soccer, field hockey, volleyball and football, to name a few—are swinging into high gear. It is also the season for informative workshops and conferences. In the next month there are opportunities to learn about SSI, autism, IEPs, suicide prevention, guardianship and more. Please note the many offerings listed below.
I hope the school year has gotten off to a great start for you and your child!
- Jane A. Walker
Executive Director
A Parent's Guide to Kids' Vaccines
Growing up in years past, vaccinations were considered a painful, but necessary, part of childhood. Our parents considered them a lifesaver, as vaccinations saved countless numbers of children from severe illness and its related complications—including death. Today, some parents have concerns about potentially harmful effects of vaccinations. In response to these concerns, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has developed a guide for parents regarding children's vaccinations, which can be found here: http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm048750.htm.
The FDA's guide discusses the general benefits and risks of vaccines, how vaccines work and the various types and how they are given. Parents are advised to take the following steps when considering vaccines for their children:
- Review vaccine sheets provided by health care personnel;
- Talk to your health care provider about the benefits and risks of vaccines;
- Talk to your health care provider about previous shot reactions experienced by you, your child or a sibling;
- Ask about conditions under which your child should not be vaccinated, such as if your child is currently sick or has a history of allergic or other adverse reactions; and
- Report adverse reactions to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System maintained by the FDA and the CDC. Call 1.800.822.7967 for a copy of a reporting form, or report online at VAERS.
Maryland requires that children entering school have a number of vaccinations. The following excerpt from the DHMH Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 10.06.04.03 applies to schools:
". . . a preschool or school principal or other person in charge of a preschool or school, public or private, may not knowingly admit a student to or retain a student in a:
(1) Preschool program unless the student's parent or guardian has furnished evidence of age-appropriate immunity against Haemophilus influenzae, type b, and pneumococcal disease;
(2) Preschool program or kindergarten through the second grade of school unless the student's parent or guardian has furnished evidence of age-appropriate immunity against pertussis; and
(3) Preschool program or kindergarten through the 12th grade unless the student's parent or guardian has furnished evidence of age-appropriate immunity against:
(a) Tetanus;
(b) Diphtheria;
(c) Poliomyelitis;
(d) Measles (rubeola);
(e) Mumps;
(f) Rubella;
(g) Hepatitis B; and
(h) Varicella.
Families have up to 20 calendar days to get a valid immunization record from their health care provider. If the required documentation is not provided, the student will not be allowed back into the school until the required documentation is provided. Go to the school nurse for copies of the required forms.
Maryland Access to Justice Commission Events Continue
The Maryland judiciary's Maryland Access to Justice Commission continues to hold listening events to fulfill its mission to make and implement recommendations to expand access to the state's civil justice system, including juvenile court.
One of the commission's goals is to enhance the quality of justice in civil legal matters for persons who encounter barriers when dealing with the courts or trying to solve a legal problem.
The Critical Barriers Committee of the Maryland Access to Justice Commission has been meeting with Maryland citizens and organizations that serve persons from a range of groups in regional events to hear about their experiences with the civil justice system. The events are designed to focus on how courts handle cases and how individuals can get help in accessing the courts and the civil justice system.
Listening events will be held at the following date and locations:
- Sept. 22, Western Maryland Area— Allegany College, Cumberland
- Oct. 27, Upper Eastern Shore Area— Chesapeake College, Wye Mills
- Nov. 24, Lower Eastern Shore Area— Wicomico County Library, Salisbury
- Dec. 15, Southern Maryland Area—Southern Maryland Higher Education Center, California
- Jan. 19, 2010, Central Maryland Area—Judiciary Education and Conference Center, Annapolis
You may register online at www.mdcourts.gov/mdatjc, and find directions to the events as well. All of the events will be held from 6–8 p.m. There is no cost to attend. Registration is required.
Suicide Prevention Conference
Maryland's 21st Annual Suicide Prevention Conference is set for Oct. 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Martin's West in Baltimore.
Keynote speaker Alison Malmon founded and serves as executive director of Active Minds Inc., a student-run mental health organization on college campuses and in high schools. She started the program while attending the University of Pennsylvania after her older brother, Brian, committed suicide. Through her efforts, the organization provides another voice for young adults in the mental health awareness movement.
The threat to Maryland 's youth in crisis is real. In 2007, 14.5 percent of U.S. high school students reported they seriously had considered attempting suicide during the 12 months preceding the survey. Some 7 percent of students reported they actually had attempted suicide one or more times during the same period. From 1990–2006, there were 1,219 documented suicide deaths completed by Maryland youth ages 10–24.
State and local authorities dedicate resources to helping Maryland 's youth. The state operates a Youth Crisis Hotline that is linked to a network of hotlines throughout the state. Approximately 10,000 calls are made each year to the statewide Youth Crisis Hotline.
Youth Crisis Hotline 1.800.422.0009 (24/7)
Several jurisdictions across Maryland have mobile crisis teams that go to the child or family's home:
MOBILE CRISIS TEAMS
- Anne Arundel County Crisis 410.768.5522
- Baltimore Crisis Response, Inc. (Baltimore City) 410.433.5175
- Baltimore Child and Adolescents Response
System (Baltimore City) 410.433.5175
- Baltimore County Crisis Team 410.931.2214
- Carroll County (Maryland Crisis Hotline) 800.422.0009
- Frederick County 301.662.2255
- Harford County Crisis Team 410.638.5248
- Howard County Crisis Team 410.531.6677
- Montgomery County Crisis System 240.777.4000
- Prince George's County Crisis Response System 301.927.4500
- St. Mary's County 301.863.6661
- Worcester County Call 911
The suicide prevention conference, sponsored by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, costs $90, which includes continental breakfast, snacks and lunch, along with a choice of 15 workshops, including panels focusing on youth, veterans, stress relief, mental health struggles in a time of economic downturn and compassionate responses.
Registration closes Sept. 30. Click here for a link to more information and a registration form. You also may contact Henry Westray Jr. at 410.402.8494 or westrayh@dhmh.state.md.us for more information.
Upcoming Events
National Suicide Prevention Week—Sept. 6–12.
Family Leadership Institute for Latino Families in Montgomery County —Sept. 11–12, 25–26. Parents and caregivers of children with behavioral difficulties can learn about leadership, collaboration and advocacy. For more information, contact Joan Charquero at 301.312.7771 or jcharquero@mcfof.org.
Instituto de Liderazgo de Familia para las Familias Latinas del Condado de Montgomery—11 y 12 de septiembre y 25 y 26 de septiembre. Los padres y cuidadores de los ninos con problemas de comportamiento aprender sobre el liderazgo, la colaboración y la promoción. Para mas información, contacte a Joan Charquero a 301.312.7771 o jcharquero@mcfof.org.
Prince George’s County Transition Planning Event—Sept. 12, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Sponsored by Resource Connections of Prince George's County, 4550 Forbes Blvd., Suite 120, Lanham. For more information, contact Jan Dethloff at 240.898.9381.
Advocacy Strategies for Parents: Part 1—Sept. 16, 7–8 p.m. IEP Specialist Deb Gordon of the Maryland Coalition of Families for Children's Mental Health presents a Web-based workshop exploring what advocacy is, why it's important and how a parent can best advocate for their child. Topics include a history and summary of pertinent laws, where it is important to use advocacy skills and levels of service available in schools. Pre-registration is required and is limited to 20. Telephone conference call is available. For more information, contact Carol at callenza@mdcoalition.org.
Advocacy Strategies for Parents: Part 2—Sept. 23, 7–8 p.m. IEP Specialist Deb Gordon of the Maryland Coalition of Families for Children's Mental Health presents a Web-based workshop exploring what advocacy is, why it's important and how a parent can best advocate for their child. Topics include a summary of the IEP process and practical advocacy strategies for IEPs; references for later use also will be provided. Pre-registration is required and is limited to 20. Telephone conference call is available. For more information, contact Carol at callenza@mdcoalition.org.
KKI Adolescent Transition Lecture Series, Sept. 30, 7–8:30 p.m. First in a series of lectures; topic is Understanding How High School Assessments and Graduation Requirements Affect Students with Disabilities in Maryland. KKI Greenspring Campus, 3825 Greenspring Ave., Bowles Building Boardroom. RSVP to Resource Finder, 1.800.390.3372 or resourcefinder@kennedykrieger.org.
Autism Expo 2009—Oct. 10. More than 10 speakers and 40 vendors are planned for this expo focusing on services. Topics to be covered include the autism waiver and assistance in finding resources to pay for therapies. Jim Rouse Theater, Columbia, MD. Free, but online registration is required at www.autismexpo.com.
Great Expectations: Helping Your Child with Special Needs Succeed!—Oct. 10, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. A free parent training conference for families of children with disabilities in the Baltimore region. Sponsored by Baltimore Collaborates! New Town High School, 4931 New Town Blvd., Owings Mills. For more information, call 410.887.5443.
Applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Workshop—Oct. 21, 7–9 p.m. Baltimore County Partners for Success workshop will answer questions about the SSI application process and eligibility for students with mental retardation or other developmental disabilities who are age 17 or older. ESS Building, Room 114, Greenwood Campus, 6901 Charles St., Baltimore. For information or to register, call 410.887.5443.
What Will Happen to My Child When I'm Gone? Workshop—Oct. 28, 7–9 p.m. Baltimore County Partners for Success workshop focuses on planning for your child's lifelong financial security. ESS Building, Room 114, Greenwood Campus, 6901 Charles St., Baltimore. For information or to register, call 410.887.5443.
10th Anniversary Luncheon for the Maryland Coalition of Families for Children's Mental Health—Oct. 30, 11:30–2 p.m. Turf Valley Resort and Conference Center, Ellicott City. For more information, contact the coalition at 410.730.8267 or 1.888.607.3637.
DDA New Directions Waiver Workshop—Nov. 4, 7–9 p.m. Baltimore County Partners for Success workshop helps families whose children are eligible for DDA funding and who turn 21 in the next two years or who already are receiving supports from a DDA-funded agency explore the New Directions waiver for self-direction of program and supports. ESS Building, Room 114, Greenwood Campus, 6901 Charles St., Baltimore. For information or to register, call 410.887.5443.
Exploring Guardianship Issues Workshop—Nov. 18, 7–9 p.m. Baltimore County Partners for Success workshop answers questions regarding obtaining guardianship for children older than 18 with mental retardation or other developmental disabilities. ESS Building, Room 114, Greenwood Campus, 6901 Charles St., Baltimore. For information or to register, call 410.887.5443.
