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 April 11, Christopher Mason-Hale, BSW, MCDD community advocate, attended the Opening Doors to Home Accessibility workshop, which brought together individuals with lived experience, advocates, policymakers, program leaders and field experts to explore practical solutions for improving home accessibility. Mason-Hale also participated in a panel discussion focused on home modifications for people with disabilities.
On April 15, May 20 and June 17, The National Center for Dignity in Healthcare and Community Living for People with Disabilities held Community of Practice meetings. Kendall Eaton, Esq., staff attorney for Project HEAL (Health, Education, Advocacy, and Law); Mason-Hale; Kristine Nellenbach, MS, program coordinator for Resource Finder; Maureen van Stone, Esq., MS, assistant vice president at Kennedy Krieger and director of the MCDD; and Tracy Waller, Esq., staff attorney, attended the meetings.
Also on April 15, 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. Mallory Legg, Esq., director of Project HEAL, gave a presentation on Project HEAL updates.
On April 21, The National Center for Dignity in Healthcare and Community Living for People with Disabilities published an article written by Waller, “Guidance Documents and the Americans With Disabilities Act.” The organization also published an infographic created by Eaton, “Difference Between SSI and SSDI Benefits.”
On April 24, Mason-Hale hosted an exhibitor table for the MCDD at the Baltimore City Public Schools 2025 Transition Fair, where he provided attendees with a wealth of valuable information and resources.
On April 28, Legg, van Stone, Waller and Genevieve Hornik, Esq., staff attorney for Project HEAL, visited the U.S. Supreme Court to hear oral arguments in A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools. Although they were unable to secure seats inside the courtroom, they listened to the live audio stream nearby.
On April 29, The National Center for Dignity in Healthcare and Community Living for People with Disabilities published an infographic designed by Eaton, “The U.S. Court System.”
Also on April 29, Mirian Ofonedu, PhD, LCSW-C, director of training for the MCDD, gave a presentation at the 37th annual Tuerk Conference on Mental Health and Addiction Treatment: Hope and New Opportunities in 2025. Her presentation, “Cultural Humility: Applying the Family-as-Host Model for Culturally Responsive Practice in Addiction Treatment,” provided participants with the opportunity to learn how to apply the Family-as-Host model for culturally responsive practice in their work to foster better and more comprehensive relationships with individuals, families and communities in addiction treatment. The conference, which drew over 1,400 attendees, was sponsored by the Maryland Chapter of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD-Maryland) and the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry. Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott was recognized at the conference for his leadership in guiding the city’s efforts to reduce overdoses and expand equitable access to substance use care.
On April 30, Megan Meck, MS, MCDD project manager, joined social workers and staff members from Kennedy Krieger’s Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC) program for a full-day training session led by Brittany Willard of Treadwell. Treadwell is a consulting firm specializing in Bonterra’s Apricot and Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) platforms and is currently supporting the development of TFC’s client database. The MCDD has long used Apricot to collect data across its own programs. Apricot also provides support to other Kennedy Krieger programs using the platform, including TFC, Neurodiversity at Work and the Center for Excellence in Public Health Leadership.
On May 1, James Orman, People On the Go (POG) program coordinator, and Tracy Wright, POG deputy director and director of training, conducted a sex abuse prevention training session for staff members of SEEC (Seeking Employment, Equality and Community).
On May 2, Orman, Wright and Mat Rice, POG executive director, delivered an anti-fascism presentation during POG’s biweekly member meeting.
On May 3, Mason-Hale hosted an exhibitor table for the MCDD at the World of Possibilities Disabilities Expo. Wright also hosted an exhibitor table for POG. They connected with attendees to share information about the MCDD’s programs, resources and advocacy efforts supporting people with disabilities and their families.
On May 4, several MCDD staff members participated in Kennedy Krieger’s ROAR for Kids, a 5K race, walk/roll and family festival that was held at The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore to raise funds for Kennedy Krieger. Mason-Hale represented the MCDD by hosting an exhibitor table at the festival. The MCDD also recruited six first-year and sophomore students from Notre Dame Preparatory School and the McDonogh School to volunteer at the event.
On May 6, Legg gave a presentation, “Home and Hospital Teaching and Virtual School,” to the Maryland Early Childhood Alumni Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) program at Kennedy Krieger.
On May 10, Mason-Hale hosted an exhibitor table for the MCDD at a mental health awareness event in Anne Arundel County, Md. He shared information about the MCDD’s resources and initiatives with attendees.
On May 13, David Mervis, Esq., staff attorney for Project HEAL, presented an overview of Project HEAL, including how to support individuals and families receiving disability benefits from the Social Security Administration, to The Arc Baltimore’s Baltimore Metro Council.
On May 14, The National Center for Dignity in Healthcare and Community Living for People with Disabilities published an article written by Eaton, “Plain Language for Everyone: Making Information More Inclusive.”
Also on May 14, Hornik and Legg presented “Educational Rights for Foster Care Parents: IFSP to IEP Transition” to foster parents of Kennedy Krieger’s Therapeutic Foster Care program.
On May 15, The National Center for Dignity in Healthcare and Community Living for People with Disabilities published an infographic designed by Eaton, “Global Accessibility Awareness Day.”
On May 17, Cindy Ibarra, MCDD administrative services coordinator, hosted an exhibitor table for the MCDD at Kennedy Krieger’s Adaptive Sports, Recreation and Community Resource Fair. Event attendees had the opportunity to discover adaptive sports and recreational activities throughout the greater Baltimore area.
Also on May 17, Mason-Hale hosted an exhibitor table for the MCDD at a community resource fair hosted by My Life Foundation. The event provided access to valuable community resources including health screenings, vaccine clinics, educational workshops and mental health programs.
On May 19, The National Center for Dignity in Healthcare and Community Living for People with Disabilities published an article written by Waller, “Birthright Citizenship Executive Order: Trump v. Casa, Inc.”
Also on May 19, Mason-Hale was interviewed for an audio documentary by the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics. The documentary will focus on the process and impact of home modifications for people with disabilities.
Also on May 19, Orman, Wright and self-advocate Rosanna Tufts delivered training from the Project STIR (Steps Toward Independence and Responsibility) curriculum to staff members of Standard Integrated Supports.
On May 21, Mervis gave an Annual Learning Series presentation, “Navigating Social Security Administration (SSA) Disability Benefits: What Providers and Beneficiaries Need to Know.”
Also on May 21, Eaton and Hornik gave an overview presentation about special education to military-connected families during the Odenton Military Meeting.
Also on May 21, Kennedy Krieger hosted the Financial Wellness Conference, with van Stone serving on the planning committee and moderating the breakout sessions. The event aimed to provide practical tips, tools and resources to help participants manage their finances with confidence.
On May 22, Mervis presented “An Overview of Disability Benefits from SSA” to members of the Montgomery County Public Schools Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee (SECAC).
Also on May 22, The National Center for Dignity in Healthcare and Community Living for People with Disabilities published an infographic created by Eaton, “Mental Health Awareness.”
On May 27, The National Center for Dignity in Healthcare and Community Living for People with Disabilities published an article written by Waller, “Policy Unpacked Part 5: Legal Terms in the News Explained.”
On May 28, van Stone attended the Women’s Initiative Network for Kennedy Krieger Institute member luncheon at the Elkridge Club in Baltimore.
On May 29, Mason-Hale and Nellenbach hosted an exhibitor table for the MCDD at The Arc Maryland State Convention. The event brought together advocates, professionals and community members dedicated to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
On May 30, The National Center for Dignity in Healthcare and Community Living for People with Disabilities published a blog written by Nellenbach, “Navigating a Double Layer of Assumptions.”
On May 31, Mervis participated in the Transition to Adulthood Clinic sponsored by xMinds and the Autism Society of Maryland.
On June 3, van Stone and Rachel London, executive director of the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council, co-presented “Disability Awareness Training for the Bench and Bar” at the Maryland Office of the Public Defender’s 2025 Justice 4All Annual Conference at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina in Cambridge, Md.
On June 4, Ibarra hosted an exhibitor table for the MCDD at the summer kickoff event hosted by Essex Elementary School in Baltimore County. She provided families with information about the MCDD’s programs and shared resources to support children with disabilities.
Also on June 4, Mervis presented “An Overview of Disability Benefits from SSA” to members of the Midshore Autism Resource Group.
On June 5, Legg and van Stone gave a presentation, “Overview of Legal Areas Impacting Children and Young Adults with Disabilities,” at the Maryland State Bar Association conference in Ocean City, Md.
On June 11, van Stone was invited to host a breakout session for the GIVE Fellowship’s visit to Kennedy Krieger. Nellenbach participated in the event as a fellowship alum.
On June 12, Legg and van Stone attended the Kennedy Krieger Society Reception at the Mt. Washington Mill Dye House in Baltimore.
On June 16, Dr. Ofonedu and Kate Vertucci, PhD, pediatric psychologist at Swank Autism Center at Nemours Children’s Hospital, gave a presentation, “From Assessment to Treatment: Working With Individuals With Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities and Their Families.” This presentation was part of the MCDD’s Annual Learning Series.
On June 17, The National Center for Dignity in Healthcare and Community Living for People with Disabilities published a blog written by Waller, “Oral Arguments in A.J.T. v. Osseo Draw National Attention to Disability Rights in Schools.”
From June 17–19, van Stone participated in the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) Board of Directors retreat in Silver Spring, Md.
On June 26, Dr. Ofonedu led the Kennedy Krieger Faith Leaders Conference, which she organized. This year’s event, “Partnership with Purpose: Advancing Disability Inclusion,” was a powerful gathering of interfaith leaders united to promote inclusion, health and well-being for people with disabilities and their families across Maryland faith communities.
On July 8, van Stone and several of her colleagues from Kennedy Krieger’s Center for Autism Services, Science and Innovation (CASSI™) and Center for Neuropsychological and Psychological Assessment (CNaP) participated in a workshop, “Academic-State Partnership that Uses Neuropsychology to Improve Disability Eligibility Determination,” for The Training Institutes at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Oxon Hill, MD.