Hello, readers! As we move into the final quarter of the year, we are excited to bring you the latest updates in our newsletter. We invite you to learn about what’s been happening at the Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities (MCDD), Kennedy Krieger Institute and the community.

We hope students and families have enjoyed a great start to the school year. If you have a child receiving special education and related services, Special Education Citizens Advisory Committees (SECAC) are valuable resources for understanding your rights and connecting with others in the community. These committees offer insight, advocacy and support to families navigating the special education process. Pathfinders for Autism wrote an article—“SECAC (Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee) Groups: What are they and what do they do for me?”—to help you learn more about how SECACs can benefit your family. Reach out to your child’s school to find out how to get involved with your local SECAC.

Kennedy Krieger’s KIND Curriculum for Families offers free, self-paced online courses designed to support Maryland parents and caregivers of children with developmental disabilities. These courses cover essential topics such as healthcare, education, mental health, legal concerns and considerations specific to military-connected families. Developed by experts in collaboration with families, the modules provide practical tools and resources to help navigate the complexities of raising a child with disabilities. Visit the KIND Curriculum for Families webpage to explore this valuable resource. (“KIND” stands for “Kennedy Krieger Instruction in Neurodevelopmental Disorders”—the Institute offers a separate KIND Curriculum for providers, too.)

Project HEAL (Health, Education, Advocacy, and Law), a community-based program of the MCDD, continues to create resources to help individuals with disabilities and their families navigate the complexities of Social Security benefits, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Some newly produced fact sheets include:

This quarter’s newsletter features program updates, a roundup of relevant resources and an introduction to two new staff members. We hope you find the resources in this newsletter helpful as we continue to work together to help individuals with disabilities learn, grow and thrive.

Take care and stay safe.

In gratitude,
Maureen van Stone's signature.

Maureen van Stone headshot.
Maureen van Stone, Esq., MS
Assistant Vice President, Kennedy Krieger Institute
Director, Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities
Founder, Project HEAL (Health, Education, Advocacy, and Law)