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’s happened over the past few months:
On June 25, Mallory Legg, Esq., director of Project HEAL (Health, Education, Advocacy, and Law), presented “Military Families” to Kennedy Krieger’s Behavioral Psychology Department in Odenton, Md.
On July 8, Mirian Ofonedu, PhD, LCSW-C, director of training for the MCDD, organized and coordinated a session, “Building Safe and Positive Online Experiences for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities,” with Dr. Mary Jo Krile as a presenter. This webinar featured interactive case studies that examined the benefits and risks of online and AI-supported platforms while providing evidence-based strategies for teaching platform navigation, cyber safety, and appropriate online communication and etiquette.
On July 15, Maureen van Stone, Esq., MS, assistant vice president and director of the MCDD, represented Kennedy Krieger at Maryland’s Office of Children and Youth with Specific Health Care Needs quarterly meeting.
On July 15 and 16, Dr. Ofonedu led a free, two-day, in-person learning collaborative, “Training and Equipping Catholic Faith Leaders to Advance Disability Inclusion: A Learning Collaborative.” The training was a collaboration between the MCDD and the Archdiocese of Baltimore. The MCDD is committed to training and equipping faith leaders with the necessary knowledge, skills, and resources to foster disability inclusion and a sense of belonging and community participation that improves the quality of life, health, and well-being of people with intellectual, developmental, and other disabilities, and their families. Learn more about our ongoing work in this area.
Also on July 16, Dr. Ofonedu attended the fifth annual Disability Impact Awards Ceremony, hosted by Disability BelongsTM in Washington, D.C. The event brought together disabled professionals and allies across various industries, including government, media, technology, and financial services, and featured opportunities to network among, recognize, and celebrate the outstanding achievements of leaders who’ve made significant strides in fighting stigmas and advancing opportunities for people with disabilities.
On July 18, Christopher Mason-Hale, BSW, MCDD community advocate, hosted a vendor table at the St. Timothy’s Christian Baptist Church’s Community Day, where he handed out MCDD resources to attendees.
On July 21, van Stone attended the TASH Outstanding Leadership in Disability Law Symposium and Awards Celebration at the American University Washington College of Law in Washington, D.C.
On July 22, van Stone hosted four rising seniors from Notre Dame Preparatory School for a WINternship opportunity. They had the opportunity to meet with and learn from several MCDD and Kennedy Krieger staff members and trainees.
Also on July 22, Dr. Ofonedu organized and coordinated a session, “Special Education Law and Transition Planning for Students with Disabilities,” with Legg and van Stone as presenters. The first part of the session covered special education law and additional protections provided to students under Maryland law. The presenters provided a summary of Maryland State Department of Education guidance and technical assistance bulletins, and shared online special education law resources. The second part of the session covered transition planning, including applicable federal and state laws and regulations. The presenters discussed elements and goals of transition planning, including examples of quality of transition planning and how to create the transition planning section of an IEP. They also talked about transition planning resources, including state and nonprofit resources.
On July 29 and Aug. 4, Legg delivered a Project HEAL overview presentation for a new staff member of Kennedy Krieger’s Center for Autism Services, Science and Innovation (CASSI™).
On July 30, Dr. Ofonedu delivered two presentations at the 13th International Smith-Magenis Syndrome (SMS) PRISMS conference. Her first presentation, “Supporting Your Sibling: Navigating Puberty, Boundaries, and Relationships,” provided participants with the opportunity to share their experiences supporting their siblings with SMS and learn how to navigate conversations about puberty, relationships, and boundaries. Attendees gained practical tools for promoting healthy and respectful relationships. Her second presentation, “Supporting Your Child’s Sexual Health: Navigating Boundaries, Safety, and Relationships,” addressed broader topics beyond puberty, such as safety, boundaries, and healthy relationships. Participants learned practical skills for initiating and talking comfortably about sexual health and responding to behaviors in supportive ways.
On Aug. 8, Dr. Ofonedu chaired a symposium, “Family Engagement of the Underserved in Schools and Treatment Services,” at the American Psychological Association annual convention in Washington, D.C., with the following co-presenters: Dr. Apryl Alexander, APA Division 37 current president; Dr. Lauren Sommers, PhD, APA deputy chief of public interest; Dr. Olivia Moorehead-Slaughter, faculty at Boston University School of Medicine; Dr. Stephanie Miodus, independent practitioner at Next Steps Psychology; and Anita Paddy, Ghana Psychological Association. The session provided participants with a symbolic experience of the challenges faced by underserved and vulnerable families. They discussed current gaps in family engagement and practices that reduce barriers and improve educational and care outcomes.
On Aug. 12, the National Center for Dignity in Healthcare and Community Living for People with Disabilities published an article by Tracy Waller, Esq., MPH, MCDD staff attorney, titled, “The Freedom of the Press and The First Amendment.”
Also on Aug. 12, Legg and Kristine Nellenbach, MS, program coordinator for the Resource Finder, attended Kennedy Krieger’s full-day Supervisor Bootcamp training session.
On Aug. 31, Kendall Eaton, Esq., staff attorney for Project HEAL, delivered an overview presentation of Project HEAL and disability law basics to the Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (NDD) Residency Program fellows at Kennedy Krieger.
Also on Aug. 31, David Mervis, Esq., staff attorney for Project HEAL, delivered an overview presentation of Project HEAL to Kennedy Krieger’s social work fellows.
On Sept. 8, van Stone attended the Heart of Leadership Celebration honoring Dr. Nancy S. Grasmick, former chairperson of the Kennedy Krieger Institute Board of Directors, at Towson University Center for Arts.
On Sept. 9, Dr. Ofonedu organized and delivered a workshop, “Strengthening Supervision through Collaboration: A Peer-Supported Approach to Leadership,” with Dr. Melanie Pinkett-Davis, Kim Cosgrove, and Dr. Aysha Jawed as co-presenters. The workshop was designed for supervisors seeking to deepen their leadership and supervision practices through reflective, peer-driven dialogue. Using a panel discussion format, participants were able to engage in real-world questions and scenarios that explore the critical role of effective supervision in shaping organizational culture and improving outcomes for clients, families, and those they supervise. The session created space for supervisors to both give and receive practical support, share wisdom from the field, and collaboratively explore strategies to enhance their supervisory impact.
On Sept. 14, van Stone participated in the AUCD quarterly board meeting.
On Sept. 17, van Stone participated in the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council quarterly meeting in Columbia, Md.
Also on Sept. 17, Dr. Ofonedu organized and coordinated a session, “When Trauma and Neurodiversity Intersect: Trauma-Informed Strategies for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities,” with Dr. Ernestine Briggs-King and Dr. Jennifer Shepard Payne as presenters. This session explored how trauma impacts development and behavior, and provided practical, trauma-informed approaches for both professionals and caregivers. Participants learned tools to foster safety, trust, and resilience in home, school, and clinical settings.
On Sept. 23, van Stone participated in the full-day Kennedy Krieger Leadership Summit.
On Sept. 28, van Stone attended The American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine Conference in Philadelphia, Penn. Van Stone, along with Dr. Heather Riordan and other Kennedy Krieger colleagues, delivered two concurrent sessions: “Brotherly Love Beyond the Bedside: Advocacy Strategies that Build Connection and Get Results” and “Policy Spotlight: National Issues Impacting the CP Community.”
On Sept. 30, Dr. Ofonedu organized and coordinated a session, “Supported Decision-Making as an Alternative to Guardianship,” with Megan Rusciano as a presenter. This session covered supported decision-making as an alternative to guardianship, including a discussion of Maryland’s supported decision-making legislation. The presentation discussed standards for pursuing guardianship of the person and guardianship of the property. Other alternatives to guardianship, including advance directives for mental health, surrogate decision-makers, representative payees, and powers of attorney, were discussed as well.