Maryland State Department of Education
Division of Special Education
Early Intervention Services
Family Support Services

Our Family Support Network

The Family Support Network was created to meet the needs of families with children, birth to three, with developmental delays or disabilities in Maryland. Each local Family Support Network:

• provides information to families regarding community services
• families to local support groups, workshops, and advocacy groups
• provides opportunities for families to network and share ideas and experiences
• helps to link "experienced" parents to parents of newly identified children with similar special needs
  

Preschool Partners

To help support families when children transition out of the Infants and Toddlers Program (ITP) and into local school system (LSS) preschool special education programs or other community-based early childhood settings, the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) made funding available to local ITPs to expand services provided through the local Family Support Network (FSN). Preschool Partners provide ongoing support to families of children ages 3 through 5, maintaining the connection with the local ITP, as well as fostering new connections among families, preschool programs, and community services.

Partners for Success

Partners for Success Resource Centers, established as part of each local school system in Maryland, have as their goal the provision of knowledge and the development of essential skills fundamental to parents of children and youth with disabilities, ages 3 to 21, and professionals working together as equal partners in the educational decision making process. Specifically, Partners for Success Resource Centers seek to:

• increase parental involvement in the educational decision making process
• provide information and resources about disabilities and community services
• assist families in resolving concerns and in making informed decisions regarding their child's education
• increase collaborative relationships through information and training

Partners for Success Resource Centers promotes partnerships and parent involvement in special education by offering the following:

Information

• An Information and Referral Center - to answer your questions
• Multi Media Lending Library - resources available for you to borrow

Training

• Understanding Special Education (USE) - an introductory course designed to help families and educators understand the special education process
• Next Steps: The Transition Series - a workshop which will assist in the process of transitioning from school into adult life
• Sibshops - a program for brothers and sisters of children with disabilities
• Partnership Series - a series of workshops to assist families and professionals work together effectively
• Other Workshops - seminars and in services especially designed to meet the needs of families and educators

For more information, contact: Please call Lesa@ Partners for Success: Resource Centers for Families and Schools 510 Coulbourne Lane Drive Snow Hill, Maryland 21863 Phone: 410-632-5234 Fax: 410-632-5239

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