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 happened over the past few months:
On Sept. 2, 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 “Guidance Documents and The ADA.” The center also published an article written by Tracy Waller, Esq., MPH, MCDD staff attorney, “Policy Unpacked Part 6: Presidential Power and Immunity.”
On Sept. 9, James Orman, People On the Go (POG) program coordinator, and Tracy Wright, POG deputy director and director of training, exhibited a table at The Arc Prince George’s County Hispanic Outreach Through Positive Engagement event.
Also on Sept. 9, Mirian Ofonedu, PhD, LCSW-C, director of training for the MCDD, co-led a Kennedy Krieger Core Course trainee orientation session in collaboration with Miya Asato, MD, vice president of training for Kennedy Krieger. Dr. Ofonedu provided an overview of the MCDD, explaining how it serves as one of the University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (UCEDD) at Kennedy Krieger.
On Sept. 11, Project HEAL celebrated its 20th anniversary in the Kennedy Krieger outpatient therapy garden. There were 21 sponsors of the event and more than 180 attendees.
On Sept. 14, 22 and 26, Wright delivered Project STIR (Steps Toward Independence and Responsibility) trainings to staff members of GT Independence, a person-centered organization that offers self-directed care.
On Sept. 15, the National Center for Dignity in Healthcare and Community Living for People with Disabilities published an infographic created by Eaton, “Tradition Vs. Accessibility.”
On Sept. 16, Maureen van Stone, Esq., MS, assistant vice president of Kennedy Krieger and director of the MCDD, gave a guest lecture, “Restraint and Seclusion: An Overview of Law and Practice,” for the University of Delaware’s senior seminar in disability studies.
On Sept. 17, Oct. 21 and Dec. 16, van Stone and Christopher Mason-Hale, BSW, MCDD community advocate, participated in the Advocacy Curriculum for Kennedy Krieger’s trainees, offering guidance and insight on effective advocacy practices.
Also on Sept. 17, Dr. Ofonedu gave a presentation to professionals and community members, “Promoting Positive Mental Health Outcomes for Youth—How School, Home and Community Members Can Help.” The event focused on how schools, families and communities can support youth mental health.
On Sept. 18, Kristine Nellenbach, MS, program coordinator for the MCDD’s Resource Finder, co-facilitated a coffee chat event, “Find Your Spark,” for the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) Community Education and Dissemination Council (CEDC).
Also on Sept. 18, Mason-Hale hosted an exhibitor table for the MCDD at the Gold Humanism Summit. He provided attendees with information about the MCDD’s programs and shared resources to support individuals with disabilities.
On Sept. 24 and 25, van Stone; Mallory Legg, Esq., director of Project HEAL; Lisa Carey, PhD; and Matt Edelstein, PhD, conducted a two-day observation, coaching and feedback session at Beaver Run Elementary School in Salisbury, Maryland, as part of the MCDD’s Maryland State Department of Education Elevates grant.
Also on Sept. 24, Dr. Ofonedu and Toni Scott, MEd, MA, director of the Early Learning Classrooms at Kennedy Krieger’s Early Childhood Development and Education Center, gave a presentation, “Early Screening of Children for Developmental Delays: Strategies for Successful Outcomes.” The session explored strategies to improve early screening, increase referral confidence, and share resources with families.
Also on Sept. 25, Dr. Ofonedu presented the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE)-funded initiative “Promoting Family Engagement in Special Education Through the Family-as-Host (FAH) and Family Ambassador Resource (FAR) Program,” in collaboration with the Howard County Public School System. This in-person session equipped educators, school leaders, families with children with disabilities, and support agency partners with tools to strengthen family-school-community partnerships and improve outcomes for students with disabilities.
On Sept. 30, Mason-Hale exhibited a table for the MCDD at a community resource fair held at the William S. Baer School, a Baltimore City public school for children with disabilities.
Also on Sept. 30, Dr. Ofonedu presented the MSDE-funded initiative “Promoting Family Engagement in Special Education Through the Family-as-Host (FAH) and Family Ambassador Resource (FAR) Program” to educators and school leaders, in partnership with Wicomico County Public Schools. This in-person initiative provided a series of interactive training sessions designed to strengthen family-school-community partnerships and improve outcomes for students with disabilities.
On Oct. 1, the National Center for Dignity in Healthcare and Community Living for People with Disabilities published “From Exclusion to Inclusion: A Brief Legal History of Education for Students with Disabilities,” written by former MCDD trainee Lindsey Rosenbloom. The center also published an article written by Waller, “Policy Unpacked 7: How The One Big, Beautiful Bill Impacts the Disability Community.”
On Oct. 8, Mason-Hale exhibited a table for the MCDD at the Howard County Public Schools Transition Fair, an event designed to help families prepare for their children’s transition from school to adulthood.
Also on Oct. 8, the National Center for Dignity in Healthcare and Community Living for People with Disabilities published an article written by Waller, “The Supreme Court and ICE: Noem v. Perdomo.”
On Oct. 9, the MCDD participated in “Take Your Legislator to Work Week,” hosted by Kennedy Krieger’s Neurodiversity at Work department. This event was a unique opportunity for legislators to hear from employers and employees with disabilities about their experiences with hiring and the benefits for both employers and employees when accessible hiring practices are followed.
On Oct. 13, van Stone was a panelist for Kennedy Krieger’s “Exploring the Brain” webinar, highlighting Kennedy Krieger’s Maryland Guide for Families and Children with Disabilities.
On Oct. 14, Jennifer Falter, Esq., Project HEAL attorney, gave a presentation, “Guardianship and Less Restrictive Alternatives,” to staff members of Kennedy Krieger’s Center for Autism Services, Science and Innovation (CASSI™). On the same day, Falter gave the same presentation to parents from The Harbour School.
On Oct. 16, van Stone attended the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Waiver Advisory Council meeting in Laurel, Maryland.
Also on Oct. 16, van Stone participated in the AUCD 2025 National Network Connections by delivering a lightning talk on Project HEAL.
Also on Oct. 16, Dr. Ofonedu hosted the first School-Family-Community Learning Collaborative (SFCLC) virtual session for educators, school administrators and families participating in the “Promoting Family Engagement in Special Education Through the Family-as-Host (FAH) and Family Ambassador Resource (FAR) Program” initiative. This collaborative session was designed to facilitate discussion of strategies for strengthening partnerships between schools, families and communities to support students with disabilities.
On Oct.17, Legg and Genevieve Hornik, Esq., staff attorney for Project HEAL, gave a presentation, “Transition Planning for Students with Disabilities,” at the National Association of the Dually Diagnosed (NADD) conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
On Oct. 17, van Stone attended CASSI’s 23rd annual conference, “Breaking Barriers, Building Futures: Celebrating 30 Years of Empowering Lives.”
On Oct. 18, the MCDD sponsored The Arc Baltimore’s 75th anniversary gala, Carats and Cocktails, held at the Maryland Science Center.
On Oct. 20, Legg, along with Matt Edelstein, PsyD, BCBA-D, director of Kennedy Krieger’s Brief Treatment Clinic, and Kevin Smith, director of Wicomico County’s Special Education and Early Intervention Services, gave a presentation, “Equity in Education: Empowering Rural Educators through Blended E-learning and Coaching,” at the Maryland Rural Health Conference.
On Oct. 21, Mason-Hale exhibited a table for the MCDD at the Special Education Resource Fair held at Lansdowne Elementary School. The event brought together families, educators and community organizations to share resources and support for students receiving special education services.
Also on Oct. 21, the MCDD held its quarterly Community Advisory Council (CAC) meeting. MCDD staff members and trainees attended the meeting, as did participants from various community organizations and state agencies that serve people with intellectual, developmental and other disabilities. Dr. Ofonedu gave a presentation on the MCDD’s training updates.
Also on Oct. 21, the National Center for Dignity in Healthcare and Community Living for People with Disabilities published an article written by Waller, “Policy Unpacked Part 8: Understanding Immigration Agencies in the U.S.” The center also published an infographic created by Eaton, “Tax Incentives and Disability Employment.”
Also on Oct. 21, Dr. Ofonedu led a Kennedy Krieger Core Course session, “Perspectives on Disabilities and Treatment Engagement.” The presentation explored different perspectives on health promotion and treatment, helping trainees build awareness of strategies to effectively engage patients and families while identifying barriers and supports that can impact treatment participation.
On Oct. 21, Nov. 18 and Dec. 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, Nellenbach, van Stone and Waller.
On Oct. 22, David Mervis, Esq., staff attorney for Project HEAL, gave a presentation, “Social Security Benefits for Children with Disabilities,” to a Johns Hopkins support group for Latinx parents who are raising children with autism.
Also on Oct. 22, Dr. Ofonedu organized and led a presentation, “Strengthening Supervision Through Collaboration: A Peer-Supported Approach to Leadership in Social Work Practice.” Speakers included Dr. Melanie Pinkett-Davis, PhD, MSW, LCSW-C, HEC-C, assistant vice president of clinical services at Kennedy Krieger; Kim Cosgrove, LCSW-C, program director of Southeast Early Head Start at Kennedy Krieger; and Aysha I. Jawed, EdD, LCSW-C, MPH, assistant director of the Center for Excellence in Public Health Leadership at Kennedy Krieger. This interactive session was designed for social work supervisors seeking to enhance leadership through reflective, peer-supported dialogue and explore supervision practices that foster positive organizational culture and strengthen collaborative strategies.
On Oct. 23, Legg; Sue Danielson, CPNP; and Jennifer Glattfelder, CPNP, presented two sessions of “Writing and Supporting Comprehensive IEPs for Children with Developmental Delays” at the 40th Annual Pediatrics for Practitioner conference hosted by Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Also on Oct. 23, Orman and Winter Plott, self-advocate, gave a presentation, “Neurosensitivity in the Workplace,” at Kennedy Krieger’s conference Tapping Into Talent: Innovation and Opportunity. Van Stone also attended the two-day conference.
On Oct. 24, Wright was interviewed for the Maryland Inclusive Housing podcast episode “We Cannot Go Back!”
On Oct. 25, Mason-Hale exhibited a table for the MCDD at the Step Up for Down Syndrome event, which occurred at Baltimore City’s Inner Harbor. This event is a community walk held by the Down Syndrome Association of Maryland to celebrate individuals with Down syndrome and raise awareness and support for their inclusion and empowerment.
Also on Oct. 25, Cindy Ibarra, former MCDD administrative coordinator, hosted a table at the Healing Resource Fair for Baltimore’s Opportunity Youth. The event, a collaboration with the National Adoption Association and University of Baltimore, offered resources, food, storytelling, wellness zones and career support.
On Oct. 27 and 28, Dr. Ofonedu led a free, two-day, in-person learning collaborative, “Training and Equipping Faith Leaders to Establish Community Partnerships.” Hosted by the MCDD, the collaborative brought together faith leaders to explore disability inclusion, identify shared challenges, and develop strategies to foster welcoming and inclusive practices in their communities.
Also on Oct. 28, van Stone participated in an “Alternatives to Guardianship” workgroup meeting at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, in Baltimore.
On Oct. 29, Mason-Hale and Nellenbach hosted an exhibitor table for the MCDD at Kennedy Krieger’s annual Health and Wellness Fair. The event, designed for Kennedy Krieger staff members, offered resources and activities promoting employee health, wellness and community engagement.
Also on Oct. 29, Dr. Ofonedu delivered a presentation, “Family-as-Host Model Training: Help-Seeking and Intake Process.” This was the first session of the Promoting Family Engagement in Special Education training series. The interactive session covered the first two stages of the Family-as-Host model, exploring strategies to build trust, understand family needs, and foster inclusive practices that support students with disabilities.
On Nov. 3, Mervis gave a presentation, “Disability Benefits from SSA,” to members of the Baltimore County Public Schools Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee.
On Nov. 3, van Stone attended the 2025 Health Services Leadership Awards ceremony honoring Dr. Harolyn Belcher, MD, MHS, at the Baltimore Hilton Inner Harbor.
On Nov. 5, Nellenbach hosted an exhibitor table for the MCDD at Kennedy Krieger’s annual Health and Wellness Fair, held at the Greenspring campus.
Also on Nov. 5, van Stone attended the 30th anniversary celebration for CASSI at Kennedy Krieger’s Arnold J. Capute, MD, MPH, Conference Center.
Also on Nov. 5, Dr. Ofonedu gave a presentation, “Self-Care, Work and Well-Being: Finding the Balance on Caring for Yourself While Caring for Others.” This interactive session focused on practical strategies for maintaining personal well-being, exploring the impact of stress, learning resilience-building techniques, and developing a personalized self-care plan.
On Nov. 6, Mervis represented Project HEAL at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law Career Exploration Fair.
On Nov. 7, van Stone participated in a meeting and tour of the Kennedy Krieger Greenspring Campus with Dr. Erikk D. Bonner, assistant state superintendent of the Division of Rehabilitative Services.
On Nov. 12, van Stone participated in the UCEDD directors meeting. She presented a “Project of Inspiration” on Project HEAL, delving specifically into how Project HEAL attorneys engage in policy work and legislative advocacy. She also facilitated two 30-minute breakout sessions on policy education, with the purpose of discussing effective ways that UCEDDs are building policy literacy and engagement across disciplines and partners.
On Nov. 15, 16 and 17, van Stone attended the AUCD Board Retreat in Silver Spring, Maryland.
On Nov. 17, Dr. Ofonedu presented a free virtual workshop, “Being the Best Advocate for Your Child.” The session offered tools for parents and caregivers to effectively advocate for their children in school and community settings and included live Spanish interpretation and multilingual captions.
On Nov. 18, Mervis gave a presentation, “Disability Benefits from SSA,” to a parent support group hosted by Baltimore County Public Schools.
Also on Nov. 18, van Stone attended the Maryland Legal Services Corporation awards ceremony and reception honoring Leslie Seid Margolis, Esq., managing attorney and policy counsel at Disability Rights Maryland. The event took place at Westminster Hall in Baltimore.
On Nov. 19, Legg, Hornik and van Stone gave a presentation, “Bullying, Harassment, and Intimidation of Students with Disabilities,” at OCALICON, an annual conference hosted by the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI).
Also on Nov. 19, Dr. Ofonedu delivered a presentation, “Family-as-Host Model Training: Assessment and Intervention.” This was the second session of the Promoting Family Engagement in Special Education training series. The session explored the third and fourth stages of the Family-as-Host model, focusing on collaboration with families to identify student needs and implement effective, inclusive support strategies.
On Nov. 20, van Stone, Legg and Ofonedu attended The Arc Maryland’s SpArc Tank Ig-Nite at the Ten Oaks Ballroom in Clarksville, Maryland.
On Nov. 21, van Stone participated in the 2025 Kennedy Krieger Human Resources department Leadership Summit, “Coaching for Development: The Leadership Mindset.”
On Dec. 1, Legg gave a Project HEAL overview presentation to staff members of Kennedy Krieger’s Child and Family Therapy Clinic (part of the Institute’s Behavioral Psychology Department).
On Dec. 2, van Stone and Margolis gave a presentation on special education law to Kennedy Krieger trainees during the Institute’s weekly Maternal and Child Health Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Other Related Disabilities (LEND) Program Core Course.
On Dec. 3, Dr. Ofonedu delivered a presentation, “Family-as-Host Model Training: Acceptance and Outcome.” This was the third session of the Promoting Family Engagement in Special Education training series. The session covered the final two stages of the Family-as-Host model, exploring how to support families in implementing recommendations and evaluating progress toward meaningful outcomes for students with disabilities.
On Dec. 4, the MCDD hosted its annual holiday dinner for all staff members and trainees at Liberatore’s in Timonium, Maryland.
On Dec. 5, People On the Go hosted a virtual conference in collaboration with Autism On the Go. The conference’s theme, “On The Go: Spaces For All,” celebrated and connected people with disabilities and their allies through advocacy, education and community engagement.
On Dec. 11, van Stone gave an MCDD overview presentation to the Education and Community Services Subcommittee of the Kennedy Krieger Institute Board of Directors. The theme of the presentation was “Next Best Steps: A Clear Vision for the Future.”
On Dec. 16, van Stone and Mason-Hale participated in a LEND enrichment lunch-and-learn, “Advocates as Leaders,” open to all Kennedy Krieger staff members and trainees.
On Dec. 17, Legg participated in a panel presentation that was part of the LEND Program Core Course’s Interdisciplinary Case Conference.