and The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council A series of webinars providing the tools information and ideas for people with developmental disabilities and families to improve quality of life ID: 237993
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Sponsored by The Arc Maryland
andThe Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council
A series of webinars providing the tools, information, and ideas for people with developmental disabilities and families to improve quality of life and effect change!
September 24:
Making Inclusive Child Care a Reality
October 15:
Post Secondary Options for Transitioning Youth: What’s Next after High School?
November 19:
Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE): New Opportunities to Save for Disability Related
ExpensesSlide2
Rachel
London
Director, Children & Family PolicyMaryland Developmental Disabilities Council410-767-3786Rlondon@md-council.org
www.md-council.org
Steve Rohde
Deputy Director
Maryland Family Network
410-659-7701 x 240srohde@marylandfamilynetwork.org http://www.marylandfamilynetwork.org
Making Inclusive Child Care a RealitySlide3
Who we are
Our mission is to ensure that all young children and families have the resources to succeed.
Our mission is to advance the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all facets of community life by eliminating barriers, creating opportunities, empowering people, and promoting innovationSlide4
Objectives
Participants will: Receive tips on partnering with early childhood
educators/childcare providersLearn about the resources educators/professionals can access to support children with disabilities Identify tools & resources to help families
Envision inclusion working for all children with disabilitiesSlide5
Despite the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements that child care and out of school time providers make reasonable accommodations for children with disabilities,
families all across the country still have a difficult time accessing and keeping child care and out of school time activities. Slide6
Benefits of Inclusion for All Children
Provides opportunities to socialize with a wide array of children with different needs, strengths, and interestsEncourages compassion for and understanding of all people which establishes a welcoming environmentProvides unique learning opportunities for the child with and the child without a disability
Individualized instruction increases child interest and engagementAdaptations and modifications will benefit others, in addition to the child they were intendedSlide7
Influence on School Readiness
“High quality early learning affords children the opportunity for school, workplace, and life success.” (MSDE, 2015).MSDE’s Readiness Matters!: 2014-2015 Maryland Model for School Readiness Report indicates that:
Only 20% of young children with disabilities entered kindergarten fully ready to learn compared to 49% of their peers without disabilities.Slide8
Partnerships are Key
FamiliesEstablish rapport, trust, and open communicationGain insight into the child’s strengths, needs, and interestsSupport the family Encourage all families to engage with the programRecognize that a family with a child with a disability has similar (if not the same) needs as families of typically developing children
ChildrenEngage the children and provide appropriate support and encouragementProvide opportunities for interaction and socializingSlide9
Partnerships are Key
Therapists and SpecialistsOpen the door to anyone that will be working with the child while in your careFind out what you can do to support the work of the specialistsEncourage families to utilize available services
Recognize your role in the services processSlide10
Providers are Learning they Can Do It
Be open-minded about individuals with disabilitiesConsider the unique needs of every childWelcome all families and establish a partnership from the beginningAvoid stereotyping the child by a symptoms associated with a diagnosisWelcome specialists into your programProvide opportunities for children of all abilities to interact and learn together
Ask for assistance when needed – call your Child Care Resource Center, local ARC, or the Mid-Atlantic ADA CenterSlide11
Possible Accommodations and Adaptations
Adaptive tools, such as weighted blankets or light dimmersModified activities, such as moving to a table or floorModified instructional materials, such as large-print or Braille booksModified scheduleCommunication enhancement devices, such as if/then boards or visual schedulesSlide12
Statewide Quality Improvement Initiatives
The state is helping early childhood educators (childcare providers) support children with disabilities.Slide13
Ex
cellence
C
ounts in
E
arly
L
earning and
S
chool Age Care
CENTER FOR TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATIONSlide14
Quality standards include children with disabilities
Maryland continues to increase initiatives to improve the quality of child care and out of school time programs (e.g., Maryland EXCELS).Dimensions of quality as they relate to inclusive practices are incorporated into
the Maryland EXCELS standards, including requirements that programs have defined policies and procedures, make specific professional development efforts, involve parents and make resources available, and observe each child’s individual progress. Slide15
Required training
A newly developed and mandated training on the ADA and inclusive practices for all child care providers. Over 14,000 people!Regulatory change
125 trainers have been trainedVideos developed by the Maryland DD Council will be includedSlide16
More training
The MSDE Office of Child Care training approval process was revamped and all approved child care courses and workshops must include information on how the subject areas apply to children with disabilities. The Office of Child Care also modified the credentialing program for child care providers. The modifications require more training, including training about children with disabilities, inclusion and the Americans with Disabilities Act; however, less than 10% of all providers are credentialed.
DD Council funded an online module about supporting children with developmental disabilities in child care. Developed by MFN.Workforce Development & Master PlanSlide17Slide18
Additional resources
Coaching and mentoring – Making Access HappenIncreased collaboration - Office of Child Care and the Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services. Strategic Planning - Division of SE/EIS strategic plan – 4 action imperatives, 1 on early childhood (to narrow the school readiness gap). Expanded resources - LOCATE services (MFN), ECMH Consultation Project, Early Childhood Advisory CouncilSlide19
Referrals to child care providers 24/7 online at
http://www.marylandfamilynetwork.org/programs-services/locate/Call a Parent Referral Specialist (Toll-Free) 877.261.0060
Monday-Friday 8:30 am-4:30 pmEducation on choosing quality child careReferrals to other servicesGeneral consumer and community education
FREE Child Care ReferralsSlide20
LOCATE: Special Needs services
Funded by MSDE Division of Special Education and Early Intervention ServicesTelephone Counseling Services with Specialist
FY 2014:800 parents served1,107 children servedSlide21
Maryland Child Care Resource Network (MCCRN)Slide22
Individualized support with:
Licensing and RegistrationConsultationTechnical AssistanceTraining
Updating FilesReferrals to other services
Helping HandsSlide23Slide24
Rachel
London
Director, Children & Family PolicyMaryland Developmental Disabilities Council410-767-3786Rlondon@md-council.org
www.md-council.org
Steve Rohde
Deputy Director
Maryland Family Network
410-659-7701 x 240srohde@marylandfamilynetwork.org http://www.marylandfamilynetwork.org
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