The Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities (MCDD) at Kennedy Krieger Institute continues to support and engage the community through events, conferences and advocacy efforts. Here is what has happened over the past few months:
On June 17, 23 and 25, James Orman, People On the Go (POG) program coordinator, and Tracy Wright, POG deputy director and director of training, delivered training from the Project STIR (Steps Toward Independence and Responsibility) curriculum.
On June 24, the National Center for Dignity in Healthcare and Community Living for People with Disabilities published an infographic created by Kendall Eaton, Esq., staff attorney for Project HEAL (Health, Education, Advocacy, and Law), titled “What is Accessible Travel?”
On July 6, Kennedy Krieger published a video featuring Christopher Mason-Hale, BSW, MCDD community advocate, for Disability Pride Month.
On July 8, Mallory Legg, Esq., director of Project HEAL, gave a Project HEAL overview presentation to participants of Kennedy Krieger's Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Residency Program.
On July 15, Aug. 19 and Sept. 16, the National Center for Dignity in Healthcare and Community Living for People with Disabilities held Community of Practice meetings. In attendance were Eaton; Mason-Hale; Kristine Nellenbach, MS, program coordinator for the MCDD’s Resource Finder; Maureen van Stone, Esq., MS, assistant vice president at Kennedy Krieger and director of the MCDD; and Tracy Waller, Esq., MPH, MCDD staff attorney.
On July 16, Wright gave a presentation about etiquette to staff members of Fello, an organization that partners with people with disabilities to provide support services, develop inclusive and accessible housing, and create spaces where people feel genuinely connected.
On July 17, Wright was interviewed for an episode of the podcast AdvocaSay. In the episode, Wright discusses the important statewide advocacy that POG performs.
On July 18, the National Center for Dignity in Healthcare and Community Living for People with Disabilities published an infographic created by Eaton, “Disability Pride Month.”
On July 21, van Stone hosted four high school rising juniors and seniors from Notre Dame Preparatory School’s WINternship program. The students attended a presentation, met with Project HEAL attorneys and went on a tour of Kennedy Krieger.
On July 21, Legg and van Stone gave a presentation, “Discipline of Students With Disabilities and Updated Federal Guidance on School Discipline.” This presentation was part of the MCDD’s Annual Learning Series.
Also on July 21, Wright attended the ADA35 National March and Rally in Washington, D.C. She had the opportunity to speak about her role within the MCDD and the importance of the work it does.
On July 23, van Stone, Legg, Eaton and Genevieve Hornik, Esq., staff attorney for Project HEAL, attended the Education Advocacy Coalition retreat in Columbia, Md.
On July 23, the National Center for Dignity in Healthcare and Community Living for People with Disabilities published an article written by former Project HEAL trainee Neha Banerji, “Disability Pride Month: Honoring History, Celebrating Identity, and Building a More Inclusive Community.”
Also on July 23, Mirian Ofonedu, PhD, LCSW-C, director of training for the MCDD, gave a presentation, “Practicing Humility and Building Stronger Connections Across Backgrounds: Applying the Family-as-Host Model for Responsive and Respectful Engagement.” This presentation was part of the MCDD’s Annual Learning Series.
On July 24, Mason-Hale, Nellenbach and Dr. Ofonedu attended a 35th anniversary celebration of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), hosted by the Maryland Department of Disabilities. The event, “From Protest to Progress,” featured a keynote speech from Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown and closing remarks from Secretary Carol A. Beatty.
Also on July 24, the National Center for Dignity in Healthcare and Community Living for People with Disabilities published an article written by Waller, “Air Carrier Access Act.” The center also published an infographic created by Eaton, “Legal Terms in the News.”
On July 28, van Stone attended the Americans with Disabilities Act 35th Anniversary Celebration at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C., as a board member for the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD).
On July 31, Kennedy Krieger collaborated with Special Olympics Maryland to host the Healthy Young Athletes Pediatric Screening, which included stations for children to receive a developmental observation, physical exam, vitals check and review of information. Mason-Hale assisted with the developmental observation, which provided information, tools and referrals to local community healthcare resources, related providers and services.
On Aug. 6, van Stone was interviewed by Accessible, a podcast created by the University of Missouri-Kansas City Institute for Human Development, for the episode “Voices of the Network: Integrated Advocacy at the Kennedy Krieger Institute.”
On Aug. 7, Dr. Ofonedu chaired a symposium, “Walk-a-Mile Seeking Services and Navigating the System: Experiences of Families Living in Poverty.” The session provided participants with a symbolic experience of the challenges faced by families experiencing poverty as they seek services and navigate a complex system.
On Aug. 8, Legg gave a presentation, “Special Education Law Overview,” to staff members of Kennedy Krieger’s Neurobehavioral Unit Outpatient Clinic at their staff development meeting.
On Aug. 9, Mason-Hale hosted an exhibitor table for the MCDD at The Family Tree’s annual block party. He provided families with information about the MCDD’s programs and shared resources to support children with disabilities.
On Aug. 21, van Stone and Mason-Hale participated in a visit and tour with the executive director of Baltimore Homecoming.
On Aug. 21, Mason-Hale hosted an exhibitor table for the MCDD at an open house event for Essex Elementary School.
On Aug. 27, Kennedy Krieger hosted AUCD and Cornerstone Government Affairs, a federal lobbyist firm, for a site visit to learn more about the programs, projects and activities of the MCDD, as well as the Institute’s Maternal and Child Health Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Other Disabilities (LEND) Program and the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center (IDDRC) at Kennedy Krieger Institute and The Johns Hopkins University.
On Sept. 11, Project HEAL celebrated its 20th anniversary. The event included light hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction and special guest speakers. Kim McKay, the Assistant Secretary of the Maryland Department of Disabilities, presented Legg with a Governor’s Citation for Project HEAL’s 20 years of service to Maryland children and families.
On Sept. 17, Dr. Ofonedu gave a presentation for the MCDD’s Annual Learning Series, “Promoting Positive Mental Health Outcomes for Youth: How School, Home and Community Members Can Help.”
On Sept. 17, the MCDD, LEND and Kennedy Krieger’s Office of Government Relations launched their advocacy curriculum lunch-and-learn series for a new cohort of trainees.
On Sept. 24 and 25, van Stone and Legg participated in in-person coaching and feedback sessions with staff members from Beaver Run Elementary School in Salisbury, Md, as part of our Maryland State Department of Education Elevates grant.
On Sept. 24, Dr. Ofonedu and Toni Scott, MEd, MA, director of Kennedy Krieger’s Early Childhood Development and Education Center, gave a presentation, “Early Screening of Children for Developmental Delays: Strategies for Successful Outcomes.”
On Sept. 25, van Stone participated in a visit and tour of Kennedy Krieger School Programs with Dr. Erikk Bonner, the new assistant state superintendent of Maryland’s Division of Rehabilitation Services.
On Sept. 30, the MCDD sponsored Kennedy Krieger’s annual Room to Grow: Journey to Cultural and Linguistic Competency Conference.
On Oct. 8, Dr. Ofonedu gave a presentation, “Suicidal Behaviors in People With Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities: Strategies for Successful Care.” This presentation was part of the MCDD’s Annual Learning Series.
On Oct. 10, Legg gave a presentation, “The Changing Landscape of Birth to Five and Pre-Kindergarten Eligibility,” to staff members of Kennedy Krieger’s Center for Neuropsychological and Psychological Assessment (CNaP).