“Families Finding Voices”
March Parent-Professional Workshop a
Success
The Washington County Community Partnership for Children
& Families (WCCP) sponsored a workshop on March 10 at St.
Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hagerstown for parents of children
with special needs and the professionals working with them.
The WCCP planned this workshop in cooperation with The Family
Network, Partners for Success Family Support Center and the
Washington County Mental Health Authority, Inc.
Carol
Little and Toni Nelson, Parent Coordinators for the Partners
for Success Family Support Center, presented a workshop
entitled “Developing Friendships.” Participants were provided
the opportunity to explore strategies that can be used to
assist special needs children in developing
friendships.
Prior to, and following the workshop,
attendees had the opportunity to talk with supportive services
vendors to learn more about their services.
To view an
evaluation summary of the workshop, please (click
here).
Information Shared on Behalf of the Maryland Coalition
of Families for Children’s Mental Health
Legislative Update
The Senate Judicial
Proceedings Committee voted S.B.
579 - Children with Disabilities Voluntary Placement
Agreements out of committee 10–0, which means it easily should
pass in the full Senate. The bill, jointly advocated by the
Maryland Coalition of Families and MDLC, builds upon
legislation passed in 2003 that enables families to seek a
voluntary placement for their child with intensive needs
rather than having to relinquish custody to the Department of
Social Services.
Provisions in S.B. 579 would require
that each local Department of Social Services designate a
staff person to administer requests for voluntary placement
and to provide training for staff on procedures for a
voluntary placement. Additionally, upon a request for a
voluntary placement, the local Department of Social Services
would refer the case to the Local Coordinating Council to
determine whether any alternative or interim services for the
child and family may be provided by any agency. Because the
process for a voluntary placement may take several months, the
new provision enables families to access services while going
through the lengthy process for a voluntary placement. The
bill also gives the court authority to order the Department of
Social Services to assess the child's eligibility for a
voluntary placement.
Medical Assistance Grants Available
The
UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation is offering support to
meet the needs of children across the United States with
assistance grants for medical services not fully covered by
health insurance. Parents and caretakers across the country
will be eligible to apply for grants of up to $5,000 for
health care services to improve their children's health and
quality of life. Medical services covered by UHCCF grants
include speech therapy, physical therapy and psychotherapy
sessions; such medical equipment as wheelchairs, braces,
hearing aids and eyeglasses; and orthodontia and dental
treatments.
Any child 16 years old or younger living in any
UnitedHealthcare region of the United States and in need of
financial assistance for health care services is eligible for
a grant. Families must meet economic guidelines, reside in the
United States and be covered by a commercial health insurance
plan. Visit www.uhccf.org for program guidelines and
eligibility requirements.
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