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’s what’s happened over the past few months:
On April 3, Mirian Ofonedu, PhD, LCSW-C, director of training for the MCDD, delivered an in-person workshop, “Access and Belonging in Outdoor Learning: Strategies for Supporting the Diverse Learning Needs of ALL Students,” to over 40 instructional and administrative staff members of Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School. The session provided participants with strategies for recognizing visible and invisible learning and developmental needs that students may bring to outdoor programming, identifying ways to incorporate family and student strengths and assets to better support individual needs, and creating opportunities for students with diverse abilities to access, engage in and experience a sense of belonging in outdoor learning environments.
On April 9, Mallory Legg, Esq., director of Project HEAL (Health, Education, Advocacy, and Law), participated in a school discipline stakeholder meeting with Attorney General Anthony Brown on behalf of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA).
On April 10, Project HEAL staff attorneys Kendall Eaton, Esq.; Logan Ewing, Esq.; and David Mervis, Esq., gave a presentation, “Understanding Special Education, Discipline, and Disability Benefits,” for Kennedy Krieger’s Early Childhood Development and Education Center’s professional development event.
Also on April 10, Legg delivered a presentation, “Designing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for Children with Trauma,” at the Maryland Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics Trauma-Informed Care Symposium.
On April 12, several MCDD staff members participated in Kennedy Krieger’s ROAR for Kids—a 5K race, walk/roll and family festival at The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore—to raise funds for Kennedy Krieger. Christopher Mason-Hale, BSW, MCDD community advocate, represented the MCDD by hosting an exhibitor table at the festival.
On April 13, Mason-Hale was invited to participate in a panel to discuss disability advocacy for the senior class of the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s genetic counseling program.
On April 15, Kayla Velez, MCDD administrative services coordinator, exhibited a table for the MCDD at the Bloom Spring Special Education Resource Fair, hosted by the Baltimore County Public Schools Department of Special Education.
On April 18, Mason-Hale exhibited a table for the MCDD at the World of Possibilities Disabilities Expo.
On April 20, Mason-Hale attended the Public Safety Event hosted by the Ethan Saylor Alliance. The all-day event brought together people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and law enforcement to build understanding, strengthen trust and promote safer communities. Mason-Hale assisted in creating the “Getting to Know Me” activity and moderated a group discussion between self-advocates and law enforcement.
On April 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.
On April 21–24, Mervis attended the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives spring conference in Baltimore.
On April 22, Dr. Ofonedu organized and coordinated the development of a presentation, “Universal Design for Learning (UDL): Addressing Learner Variability through Inclusive Instructional Design,” with Dr. Hillary Goldthwait-Fowles, Dr. Eric Moore and Dr. Lisa Carey serving as presenters. The session introduced participants to the UDL framework as an approach for designing inclusive learning environments.
On April 23, MCDD staff members participated in the Eastern Shore’s Consortium of Care meeting.
On April 23, Mason-Hale exhibited a table for the MCDD at the Baltimore County Public Schools Transition Expo, where he shared information and resources for families with students transitioning out of high school.
On April 28, Mat Rice, People On the Go (POG) executive director, and Tracy Wright, POG deputy director and director of training, presented “The Importance of Inclusion and Making Sure Everyone Belongs” to third- through fifth-graders as part of Disability Awareness Day at Seneca Elementary School.
On April 30, Maureen van Stone, Esq., MS, assistant vice president and director of the MCDD, represented the MCDD in the newly formed Maryland Alliance for Children and Youth with Specific Health Care Needs (MACYSHCN) meeting.
On May 3–5, Legg and van Stone attended the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) National Leadership Innovation Summit in Austin, Texas. Van Stone participated in a panel presentation, “Scaling Impact in the University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) Network,” as part of her position on the University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) outcomes taskforce.
On May 6, Mason-Hale exhibited a table for the MCDD at the Transition Fair hosted by Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High School, a Baltimore City school commonly known as “Mervo.”
Also on May 6, Mervis attended The Arc Baltimore’s Catalyst for Change Awards and Annual Meeting.
Also on May 6, Dr. Ofonedu organized and coordinated the development of a presentation, “Understanding Neuropsychological Assessment and Developmental Disorders: Assessment and Treatment Considerations,” with Dr. Natasha Ludwig and Dr. Rowena Ng as presenters. The session provided participants with an overview of neuropsychological assessment, the principles that guide it, and examples of assessments and their interpretation. Participants also learned practical treatment considerations for customizing interventions to address the everyday concerns and questions of individuals and families across diverse groups and cultures.
On May 8, Kennedy Krieger collaborated with Special Olympics Maryland to host the Healthy Young Athletes Pediatric Screening, which included stations for children to receive a developmental observation, physical exam, biometrics and review of information. Mason-Hale assisted with the planning, event layout and developmental observations, which provided information, tools and referrals to local community healthcare resources, related providers and services.
Also on May 8, Tracy Waller, MCDD staff attorney, Legg and van Stone attended Hope in Bloom, hosted by the Women’s Initiative Network (WIN) for Kennedy Krieger Institute, in Baltimore. The event raised funds for Kennedy Krieger.
On May 11–12, van Stone, Legg, Dr. Lisa Carey and Dr. Matt Edelstein participated in a two-day observation, coaching and feedback session at Beaver Run Elementary School in Salisbury, Maryland.
On May 12, Tami Goldsmith, contractor for POG and the Resource Finder (an MCDD program), delivered an in-person presentation, “Self-Advocacy: How to Be an Advocate Champion,” at the Lower Shore Autism Community’s family support meeting.
On May 13, van Stone delivered a guest lecture, “Social Work Leadership for the Public Good,” to graduate students from the University of Texas at Austin who were visiting the Lyndon B. Johnson Washington Center in Washington, D.C.
On May 13, Rosanna Tuft, POG contractor, and Wright delivered a presentation, “Communication Skills,” as part of the Project STIR (Steps Toward Independence and Responsibility) virtual training for people with disabilities across the state.
On May 16, Dr. Ofonedu attended the 40th anniversary celebration of Kennedy Krieger’s Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC) program, honoring foster parents who support children and youth with medically complex, developmental and behavioral needs.
Also on May 16, Mason-Hale exhibited a table for the MCDD at the Angelman Strong Walk, hosted by Angelman Strong Baltimore.
On May 20, van Stone attended the WIN member luncheon at Elkridge Club in Baltimore.
On May 20, Lianna Brown, POG Project STIR trainer, Tuft and Wright delivered a presentation, “Putting Self-Advocacy Skills to Work,” as part of the Project STIR virtual training to people with disabilities across the state.
On May 21, van Stone, Legg, Eaton and Ewing participated in the Maryland Special Education Lawyers bimonthly meeting.
On May 21, Kennedy Krieger hosted alums from Leadership Maryland for a panel presentation and networking event to learn more about Kennedy Krieger. Van Stone (Class of 2012) participated in the panel.
On May 22, Brown, Tuft and Wright delivered a presentation, “Advocacy Group Roundtable,” as part of the Project STIR virtual training to people with disabilities across the state.
On May 26, Dr. Ofonedu delivered a presentation, “Being the Best Advocate: Strategies for Supporting Children with Diverse and Emotional Needs.” Other presenters included Christina Love, PsyD, pediatric neuropsychologist at Kennedy Krieger, and Katherine Walton, PhD, program director at The Ohio State University Nisonger Center. The session helped participants recognize emotional needs expressed through behavior and different communication methods, create inclusive opportunities, and build confidence in responding effectively. Participants explored resources and strategies to renew motivation while promoting trust, understanding and connection with children in supportive environments.
On May 28, Mason-Hale and Kristine Nellenbach, MS, program coordinator for the Resource Finder, exhibited a table for the MCDD at The Arc Maryland State Convention. Mervis and van Stone also attended the event.
On May 30, Mervis participated in the Transition to Adulthood Clinic sponsored by xMinds and the Autism Society of Maryland.
On June 2, van Stone and Dr. Ofonedu attended the powerful People of Hope Museum at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Baltimore. The one-of-a-kind traveling museum from Catholic Charities USA shares professionally produced, first-person stories from Catholic Charities across the country, highlighting meaningful encounters with individuals and families in need.
On June 3, Tuft and Wright delivered a presentation, “Communication Skills,” as part of the Project STIR virtual training to people with disabilities across the state.
On June 10, Dr. Ofonedu organized and coordinated a presentation, “Diverse Pathways to Inclusion and Support for College Students with Autism and Intellectual Disabilities,” with Dr. Brian Freedman as presenter. The session covered familiar challenges experienced by college students with autism, interventions with growing evidence of effectiveness in high school and college settings that promote student success, and strategies for empowering students to advocate for themselves in this unfamiliar environment.
Also on June 10, Brown, Tuft and Wright delivered a presentation, “Putting Self-Advocacy Skills to Work,” as part of the Project STIR virtual training to people with disabilities across the state.
On June 11, van Stone; Rachel London, Esq., executive director of the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council; and Megan Rusciano, Esq., managing director for Disability Rights Maryland, delivered a presentation, “Disability Awareness Training for the Bench and Bar,” at the Maryland State Bar Association Convention in Ocean City, Maryland.
Following their presentation, the Editorial Advisory Board of the Maryland Daily Record published a new article on July 1. In the piece, "Bench and bar members urged to enhance disability awareness,” the authors call for attorneys and judges to continue to enhance their understanding of accommodations for people with disabilities.
On June 12, van Stone and Dr. Melanie Pinkett-Davis co-presented “Helping Healthcare Trainees and Professionals Thrive: The Important Role of Hospital Ethics Committees as Educators and Bridge Builders” at the 20th International Conference on Clinical Ethics and Consultation in Cleveland, OH.
On June 15, the National Center for Dignity in Healthcare and Community Living for People with Disabilities published infographics created by Eaton: “Housing Barriers Within the Disability Community” and “Understanding Immigration Agencies in the U.S.
On June 15–16 and 22, van Stone participated in a three-day virtual board meeting for AUCD.
On June 16, Mervis delivered a presentation, “Disability Benefits from SSA,” during an online seminar hosted by the Experiential Life Foundation. Later that day, he delivered the same presentation to a group of parents through the Baltimore Autism Society.
Also on June 16, 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. Bradley Schlaggar, MD, PhD, president and chief executive officer of Kennedy Krieger, provided Institute updates.
On June 18, Dr. Ofonedu delivered a presentation, “Grief and Loss: Guiding and Supporting Individuals with Intellectual, Developmental and Other Disabilities Through the Experience.” Her co-presenter was Tracee Hutt-Brown, MSW, LCSW-C, clinical social worker at Kennedy Krieger. The workshop helped providers and families increase their knowledge of grief and loss experiences among individuals with IDD and strengthen their skills in guiding and supporting individuals through the grieving process while accounting for cultural differences.
On June 18, van Stone participated in the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council in-person meeting at The Meeting House in Columbia, Maryland.
On June 22, van Stone hosted three rising seniors from Notre Dame Preparatory School for a WINternship opportunity.
On June 24, Mervis delivered a presentation, “Disability Benefits from SSA: What Parents of Young Adults Need to Know,” during the Hunter Nelson Sturge-Weber Syndrome Center’s adult outcomes education event.
On June 25, Dr. Ofonedu led the Kennedy Krieger Faith Community Learning Collaborative Conference for Maryland Faith Leaders. The conference provided faith leaders from diverse traditions with an opportunity to gather for a day of learning, reflection and inspiration; explore practical, faith-informed strategies to support individuals with disabilities and their families; and learn actionable strategies to strengthen inclusion, health and well-being for individuals of all abilities. Maryland Lt. Gov. Aruna K. Miller served as the guest of honor and keynote speaker. The 2026 conference built on the success of the 2025 conference, at which Maryland’s governor recognized the Faith Community Learning Collaborative (FCLC) Disability Inclusion Ambassadors with certificates of appreciation for their dedication to inclusive faith communities, and honored Dr. Ofonedu with a Governor’s Citation for her leadership in disability inclusion training for faith leaders.
On June 26, Brown, Tuft and Wright delivered a presentation, “Advocacy Group Roundtable,” as part of the Project STIR virtual training to people with disabilities across the state.