• IEP Workshop Tuesday, November 6, 7:00-9:00 PM, Faulkner Ridge Center, Columbia. This workshop will review the process for identifying a child with special needs, discuss parts of the IEP and offers ways to participate effectively in developing and impacting your child's IEP. This free workshop is brought to you by the Family Support and Resource Center and Parents Place of Maryland. Call 410-313-7161 for more information or to register.
• There is a new web-based, Howard County Individualized Educational Program (IEP)!
• In response to parent requests, the Maryland State Department of Education has required that each county use the same IEP format across the state.
• Beginning July 1, 2007, every newly-developed IEP must use the common Maryland State IEP format.
• HCPSS working with Maximus, a commercial vendor, has developed the Howard County IEP. TIENET, a web-based IEP system, will replace MicroSSIS, our current computer-based system. Staff, teachers, and support/related service providers are learning to use TIENET to develop the Howard County IEP.
• After July 1, 2007, parents will see the following changes:
  • You and other participants in the meeting will not need to “sign-in”
  • Names and title of those attending will be recorded
  • Parent signature will only be required for the initial IEP
  • Decisions made during the IEP team meeting will be written within the Howard County IEP document
  • Documentation of IEP team decisions will be reviewed with you as you go through the meeting
  • The IEP team meeting may initially require additional time as teams familiarize themselves with the new Howard County IEP and how to use TIENET
  • You will receive a copy of the Howard County IEP (including the statements of documentation/discussion of decisions made) after the team has had the opportunity to make all revisions/changes reviewed during the IEP team meeting.

• The Maryland State Department of Education and Community Mediation Maryland have partnered to sponsor this program, which offers professionally trained facilitators free of charge to IEP meetings. The purpose of facilitation is to help IEP team members communicate effectively and to assure the meaningful involvement of all participants in the IEP team process. Facilitators are not employees of the school system and do not service as advocates. They are highly trained in fostering positive communication and are experiences in the IEP team process. They volunteer their service and remain independent and impartial. Their role is to support team members in developing and maintaining collaborative relationships and a mutually agreed upon IEP. Facilitation is a voluntary process.
• Either a parent or school can request a facilitated IEP meeting, but a parent must agree to the process. For more information on the project, call the Family Support and Resource Center at 410-313-7161.

HCPSS Special Education
Howard County Special Education Community Advisory Committee (SECAC) SECAC is an independent group of parents, community partners, service providers and educators that provide feedback to the Department of Special Education. Being involved in SECAC enables you to collaborate with the department on local issues and has the potential to facilitate positive changes in the delivery of services and the achievement of all students with disabilites. The group meets the second Tuesday of each month at Faulkner Ridge Center in Columbia from 7:00-9:00 PM.
Howard County Autism Society
Aspergers Support Group of Howard County This group meets the second Thursday of the month at Faulkner Ridge Center in Columbia. For more information call Elaine McAuliffe at 410-730-0068.
Individual Differences in Learning Association Inc Information and support for parents and teachers of highly able children with learning disabilities. Meets every second Monday, 7:00 PM, Linden-Linthicum United Methodist Church, Clarksville. Contac differentlearner@aol.com or 410-531-0764.
The Arc of Howard County works to improve the lives of children and adults with cognitive and developmental disabilities.
Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) Howard County CHADD Parent Support Group for parents of children with AD/HD. Each meeting will feature a speaker discussing pertinent information to parents of children with AD/HD, such as speical education law, adolescent behavior, social issues, college transition, self advocacy skills, and more. Meetings are the second Thuesday of each month 7:00-8:30 PM. Contac Nancy Rhodes at 410-796-6700 or nrhodes@norbelschool.org

Abilities Network provides customized services to children, adults and families of differing abilities that focus on one-on-one supports to foster broadened, more inclusive communities through education, training and advocacy. Call 410-828-7700 or 1-800-492-2523.

U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services

Howard County Child Care Resource Center (CARE Center) The center is taking calls from parents who are looking for resources and services or need advice on their children's behavior. If you have concerns about a child's behavior or social and emotional health, school readiness, development or anything else relating to children and teens, call the CARE Center at 410-313-CARE (2273). This service is free to all parents and childcare providers in Howard County.

Family Support and Resource Center - To assist families of children with special needes in obtaining information and resources about the Howard County Public School System and community programs. Their services also include workshops, the Stepping Stones newsletter, IEP Assistance, Parent Support, a lending Library (books and DVDs) and Services Referrals. Tonia Lewis and Ann Scholz are the parent coordinators, and can be reached at 410-313-7161.

FAMILY ADVOCACY AND PARENT EDUCATION: FAPE of Howard County offers one-on-one training and assistance regarding special education questions or concerns. They offer support for families in understanding the IEP process, writing IEPs, complaint resolution, and referrals to other agencies or support groups. They also offer a wide variety of free workshops that focus on Special Education. To subscribe to e-mail workshop announcements, please e-mail familyadvocacy@comcast.net with "subscribe" in the subject line. To find out more about the organization, call Julie Foley 410-465-1193.