The 2010 session of the Maryland General Assembly ends in less than a month, on April 12. To date, the IEP bill (House Bill 260/Senate Bill 504) successfully passed the Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee and now goes to the full Senate. This bill requires schools to provide copies of documents to families five days in advance of the meeting at which educational decisions will be made. Families and advocates waited six hours to testify before the committee, indicating how strongly families feel about needing to fully digest information before walking into an IEP meeting. At this writing, the House Ways and Means Committee has not voted on the bill.
The Student Stigma Bill (House Bill 11/Senate Bill 204) that changes the special education term from "emotionally disturbed" to "emotional disability" has been heard in both the House and Senate. One youth who testified spoke about the embarrassment and ridicule from other students as a result of being labeled "emotionally disturbed." Legislators reacted with empathy and seemed to understand the need for less stigmatizing language.
In both instances, the families and youth were powerful advocates, and their voices will result in positive change for our children. Thanks to them and to all who have contacted their legislators to make their voices heard in Annapolis.
- Jane A. Walker
Executive Director
P.S. Watch for dates and locations for the focus groups for families caring for a child with co-occurring mental health disorders, substance abuse and/or developmental disabilities.
Low Intensity Support Services
Effective Dec. 1, 2009, the Developmental Disabilities Administration has contracted with licensed providers to provide Low Intensity Support Services (LISS), previously known as Rolling Access. Recent modifications in the LISS guidelines allow an individual to request up to $3,000 per year; it's now permissible to make multiple requests throughout the year and across multiple years.
The providers listed below maintain a toll-free number for LISS. A representative of the agency is available between the hours of 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for state holidays. When the LISS coordinator is unavailable, there is a voice messaging service with directions as to how to access emergency services, such as a 911 call. All calls will be returned within one working day from the time the message is recorded.
LISS is provided in four regional offices:
Central Maryland — Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Harford and Howard Counties
Humanim Inc.
6355 Woodside Court
Columbia
Telephone: 410.381.7171
Toll Free: 1.877.230.4951
TTY: 711 (MD Relay Service)
FAX: 410.381.0782
E-mail: info@humanim.com
Web address: www.humanim.com
Penn-Mar Human Services
310 Old Freeland Road
Freeland
Toll Free: 1.877.282.8202
TTY: 1.800.735.2258
FAX: 410.357.4767
E-mail: LISS@penn-mar.org
Web address: www.penn-mar.org
Western Region —Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett and Washington Counties
Penn-Mar Human Services
310 Old Freeland Road
Freeland
Toll Free: 1.877.282.8202
TTY: 1.800.735.2258
FAX: 410.357.4767
E-mail: LISS@penn-mar.org
Web address: www.penn-mar.org
Eastern Region —Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico and Worcester Counties
Epilepsy Association of Eastern Shore
688 East Main St.
Salisbury
Telephone: 410.543.0665
Toll Free: 1.800.776.5694
TTY: 410.543.0665
FAX: 410.543.0432
E-mail: LISS@eaes.org
Web address: www.eaes.org
Southern Region —Calvert, Charles, Montgomery, Prince George's and St. Mary's Counties
Arc of Prince George's County Inc.
1401 McCormick Drive
Largo
Telephone: 301.925.7050
Toll Free: 1.877.967.5272
FAX: 301.925.4387
E-mail: To Be Announced
Web address: www.thearcofpgc.org
Maryland Community Connection
6490 Landover Road, Suite A9
Landover
Telephone: 301.583.0358
Toll Free: 1.877.MCC.6688
TTY: 711 (MD Relay Service)
FAX: 301.583.0359
E-mail: LISS@marylandcommunityconnection.org
Web Address: www.marylandcommunityconnection.org
Children Count, Too!
Official Census forms are in the mail now to every household in the country, as the United States conducts the 2010 Census as required by the Constitution. The first census was held in 1790—and officials note that children have been undercounted in every census, beginning with that first one.
It's important for the government to have as complete and correct a count as possible of everyone in the United States, for such purposes as awarding seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, block grant money and other federal funds that are disbursed to communities for establishing and improving schools, hospitals and roads and providing services to seniors.
Everyone counts—even newborns. All infants, toddlers, children and adults living in a household should be included in that household's count, regardless of nationality, citizenship status, race, age or gender.
When your form arrives, please take 10 minutes to answer 10 questions—and make your answers count.
May is Children's Mental Health Month
As we do each year, the Coalition will mark Children's Mental Health Month this May with the unveiling of a commemorative poster and a variety of events to build public awareness for this crucial issue.
Look and listen for our public service announcements on your local radio and television stations; we'll let you know on our website, www.mdcoalition.org, when the Awareness Kit is available for order. This year, Children's Mental Health Awareness Week is May 2–8.
You can find other information and notice of various local events by checking out www.childrensmentalhealthmatters.org.
Comments on New DSM Sought
The American Psychiatric Association is preparing to publish the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), its standard diagnostic text, in May 2013. It is soliciting comments on the proposed revisions until April 20, 2010.
The APA is particularly concerned with how gender, race and ethnicity may affect how symptoms manifest themselves, as well as the possibility of cultural biases within the criteria for particular diagnoses. It has posted comprehensive draft revisions to the criteria of disorders, categories and assessments, and is considering including such conditions as Body Integrity Identity Disorder, Complicated Grief Disorder, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Internet Addiction and Seasonal Affective Disorder in the new edition.
Other recommendations under consideration are for a cross-cutting initial assessment that would be relevant across the boundaries of any disorder, providing clinicians with a means of measuring common domains that may be seen in all patients, such as mood, anxiety, substance use or sleep problems; revising the basic definition of a mental disorder, with proposed revisions as well for such categories as Disorders Usually First Diagnosed in Infancy, Childhood or Adolescence, Substance-Related Disorders, Mood Disorders, Eating Disorders and Personality Disorders, among others; and consolidation of autism conditions under the category Autism Spectrum Disorders.
To view the draft and submit comments, visit www.dsm5.org/Pages/Default.aspx.
Upcoming Events
Mental Health First Aid—Ongoing. Mental Health First Aid is a 12-hour training course offered by the Mental Health Association of Maryland designed to give members of the public key skills to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis—to help the public identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness. To find the dates and locations of classes, visit http://www.mhamd.org/mhfa/findclass.htm.
Special Needs Advocacy Training Institute: Everything an Advocate Needs to Know—various dates beginning April 17. The Special Needs Advocacy and Montgomery College Workforce Development and Continuing Education present a four-session course on advocacy for parents, graduate students and professionals and school staff and administrators. Next session begins on April 17, with sessions on May 1, May 15 and June 5. Montgomery College Silver Spring/Takoma Park Campus, 7977 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, Md. For more information and to register, visit http://specialneedsadvocacyinstitute.com/advocacy-training.html.
Restraints and Seclusions in School—March 23, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Parents' Place of Maryland teleconference presented by Denise Marshall, executive director of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates. Free; registration required. Contact Rochelle Howell at 800.394.5694, ext. 104, or rochelle@ppmd.org.
Maryland Access to Justice Commission Listening Event—March 23, 3–5 p.m. Our Daily Bread, Baltimore. The commission is seeking opinions and feedback from citizens to help it make and implement recommendations to expand access to the state's civil justice system, including juvenile court. Register online at www.mdcourts.gov/mdatjc, and find directions as well. There is no cost to attend. Registration is required.
Extended School Year Services—March 30, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Parents' Place of Maryland teleconference reviews federal and state Extended School Year (ESY) regulations and gives parents practical guidance to determine their child's eligibility for ESY services. Presented by Debbie DiPaolo, parent educator. Free; registration required. Contact Rochelle Howell at 800.394.5694, ext. 104, or rochelle@ppmd.org.
Strategies for Changing Behavior in Children Conference—April 10, 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m. Conference sponsored by Western Maryland Family Support & Resource Centers for parents, family members, caregivers and professionals interested in helping a child with challenging behaviors. $10, payable to Marshall Street School. Williamsport High School, 5 South Clifton Drive. For more information or to register, call 301.766.8221.
In the Eyes of a Child: Exploring the Impact of Child Victimization—various dates beginning April 13. Illuminations Program of Catholic Charities workshop to help professionals understand the reality and impact of sexual abuse. Eldersburg, April 13, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.; Columbia, April 27, 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Timonium, April 30, 9 a.m.–4:15 p.m.; and Timonium, May 15, 9:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m. CEUs available. For additional information, contact Allison West, LSCW-C, 410.252.4000, ext. 1602, or awest@cc-md.org. Registration required.
Third Annual Baltimore County Child & Adolescent Mental Health Fair—April 14, 5–9 p.m. Windsor Mill Middle School. To register, contact Erin Leatherwood at 410.235.1178, ext. 202, or eleatherwood@mhamd.org.
Great Expectations: Helping Your child with Special Needs Succeed!—April 17, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Baltimore City College High School. Contact Baltimore City Public Schools Partners for Success at 410.396.8995 or e-mail Deliscia Casey-Pack at dCasey-Pack@bcps.k12.md.us or Marsha Robinson at MRobinson@bcps.k12.md.us.
Maryland Access to Justice Commission Listening Event—April 20, 6–8 p.m. Maryland Court of Appeals, Annapolis. The commission is seeking opinions and feedback from citizens to help it make and implement recommendations to expand access to the state's civil justice system, including juvenile court. Register online at www.mdcourts.gov/mdatjc, and find directions as well. There is no cost to attend. Registration is required.
FOX45 B'More Healthy Expo—May 1, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Baltimore Convention Center. Check out the child-focused activity booth for Children's Mental Health Awareness Week with the Mental Health Association of MD's Kids on the Block puppet troupe performances. For more information, visit www.foxbaltimore.com/bmorehealthy/.
Children's Mental Health Awareness Week—May 2–8. Check out www.childrensmentalhealthmatters.org for other events.
Mission Impossible? Addressing Behaviors in Challenging Children—May 4, 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m. Atlee Kepler Theater, Hagerstown Community College. Full-day course for those who live and work with children with challenging behaviors will present interventions, treatment approaches and practical strategies to help those living and working with children and adolescents who have been traumatized as a result of abuse, neglect, family violence and/or other major life experiences that have significantly disrupted their neurological, psychological and emotional development. Fee required; family rate available. For more information and reservations, call 301.790.2800, ext. 236, or visit www.hagerstowncc.edu/coned/seminars.
