Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities Newsletter – Issue 3, August 2022

Director’s Message

Hello, readers! We enthusiastically welcome summer, and with it, a return to in-person events and a continuation of virtual programs and activities at the Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities (MCDD).

COVID-19 Resources

COVID-19 resources from the MCDD.

COVID-19 Vaccinations Available at Kennedy Krieger Outpatient Center

Kennedy Krieger Institute’s COVID-19 vaccination clinic is held on Wednesdays from noon to 6 p.m. at the Institute’s outpatient center at 801 North Broadway, Baltimore. The clinic offers first, second and booster doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to individuals with disabilities and their caregivers, as well as to the Institute’s patients, students and employees, and their family members.

IDDRC Corner

Throughout the past year, the IDDRC has been a collaborative site with Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, and the University of Missouri–Kansas City, as part of the National Institutes of Health’s RADx® Underserved Populations (RADx-UP) project.

MCDD News

The MCDD has recently welcomed several individuals to its family.

Studying the Impact of the Pandemic on Schooling for Children With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Kennedy Krieger mirrored the RADx-UP project performed at Washington University in St. Louis and implemented weekly testing for students and staff members at Kennedy Krieger School Programs.

Lunch-and-Learn Sessions and Summer Learning Series

The MCDD launched its inaugural Spring Lunch-and-Learn Series under the leadership of Mirian Ofonedu, PhD, LCSW-C, the MCDD’s training director. The series ran from March through April and included eight free virtual workshops for parents, caregivers, professionals, advocates, and children and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Training Update

The MCDD’s spring 2022 semester trainees Olivia Bowley, Ashley Turcios and Lindsey Turlik worked under the supervision of Dr. Ofonedu. They engaged in research, training development and the dissemination of information on topics important to the intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) population and field. Their project topics included anti-ableism practice, supporting the mental health of children with IDD, and inclusive practice in faith communities. They presented their findings at Kennedy Krieger’s Core Course Poster Day on April 5.

Resource Finder Round-Up

Learn about some of the resources available to Marylanders with disabilities or other healthcare needs.