Specialized Health Needs Interagency Collaboration (SHNIC)

Kennedy Krieger Institute • 1750 East Fairmount Ave. • Baltimore, MD 21231

Directors:

Joan Carney, Ed. D.
Project Director

Barbara Obst, RNMS
Project Coordinator

Patricia Porter
Project Coordinator

About Our Program:

The Specialized Health Needs Interagency Collaboration Project (SHNIC) is a community-based program that provides on-site training and technical assistance to parents and personnel from schools and community service programs throughout Maryland at no cost. Combining the expertise of the Kennedy Krieger Institute and other local medical professionals with the resources of the Maryland State Department of Education, SHNIC provides parents, school staff and community service professionals with the skills they need to safely and effectively manage the integration of children and adolescents with specialized health needs into educational and community settings. Parents and professionals from the public school system, health departments and related community services agencies can access the following SHNIC services:

• Community-based consultation and training on managing a child's specialized health needs
• Consultations and training on the educational implications of a child's diagnosis
• Seminars and workshops on specialized health needs
• Case-by-case consultations for students with traumatic brain injury
• Referrals to other community and health resources or support services
• Database of publications and educational materials on specific medical conditions

Primary Program Goals:

The primary goal of the SHNIC Project is to provide community education that facilitates the inclusion of students with specialized health needs into the community. For more information about the services offered through SHNIC, please click on the links below.

• Description of SHNIC
  • How Can SHNIC Help
  • Examples of Specialized Health Needs
  • How to Contact SHNIC
• Information for School Nurses
• Information for Educators
• Information for Families

Hours of Operation:

Scheduled by appointment.

Contacts:

To Request Training or Technical Assistance:
Phone: (443) 923-4558

For Information:
Joan Carney
Phone: (443) 923-4555
Email: carney@kennedykrieger.org

Diagnoses Served:

Any health condition or technology that requires adaptations, modifications or health procedures in community settings (e.g., spina bifida, brain injury, dysphagia, spinal cord injury).