Sponsored by The Arc Maryland
and
The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council
A series of webinars providing the tools, information, and ideas for people with
developmental disabilities and families to improve quality of life
and effect change!
•
September 24: Making Inclusive Child Care a Reality
•
October 15:
•
November 19: Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE): New
Post Secondary Options for Transitioning
Youth: What’s Next after High School?
Opportunities to Save for Disability Related
Expenses
MAKING INCLUSIVE CHILD CARE
A REALITY
Rachel London
Director, Children & Family Policy
Maryland Developmental Disabilities
Council
410-767-3786
Rlondon@md-council.org
www.md-council.org
Steve Rohde
Deputy Director
Maryland Family Network
410-659-7701 x 240
srohde@marylandfamilynetwork.org
http://www.marylandfamilynetwork.org
WHO WE ARE
Our mission is to advance the
inclusion of people with
developmental disabilities in all
facets of community life by
eliminating barriers, creating
opportunities, empowering
people, and promoting innovation
Our mission is to ensure
that all young children and
families have the
resources to succeed.
OBJECTIVES
Participants will:
• Receive tips on partnering with early childhood
educators/childcare providers
• Learn about the resources
educators/professionals can access to support
children with disabilities
• Identify tools & resources to help families
• Envision inclusion working for all children with
disabilities
Despite the Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA) requirements that child care
and out of school time providers make
reasonable accommodations for children
with disabilities,
families all across the country still have a
difficult time accessing and keeping child
care and out of school time activities.
BENEFITS OF INCLUSION
FOR ALL CHILDREN
• Provides opportunities to socialize with a wide array of
children with different needs, strengths, and interests
• Encourages compassion for and understanding of all
people which establishes a welcoming environment
• Provides unique learning opportunities for the child with
and the child without a disability
• Individualized instruction increases child interest and
engagement
• Adaptations and modifications will benefit others, in
addition to the child they were intended
INFLUENCE ON SCHOOL
READINESS
“High quality early learning affords children the opportunity
for school, workplace, and life success.” (MSDE, 2015).
MSDE’s Readiness Matters!: 2014-2015 Maryland Model for
School Readiness Report indicates that:
• Only 20% of young children with
disabilities entered kindergarten fully
ready to learn compared to 49% of their
peers without disabilities.
PARTNERSHIPS ARE
KEY
Families
•
•
•
•
•
Establish rapport, trust, and open communication
Gain insight into the child’s strengths, needs, and interests
Support the family
Encourage all families to engage with the program
Recognize that a family with a child with a disability has similar (if
not the same) needs as families of typically developing children
Children
• Engage the children and provide appropriate support and
encouragement
• Provide opportunities for interaction and socializing
PARTNERSHIPS ARE
KEY
Therapists and Specialists
• Open the door to anyone that will be working with the
child while in your care
• Find out what you can do to support the work of the
specialists
• Encourage families to utilize available services
• Recognize your role in the services process
PROVIDERS ARE LEARNING
THEY CAN DO IT
Be open-minded about individuals with disabilities
Consider the unique needs of every child
Welcome all families and establish a partnership from the
beginning
Avoid stereotyping the child by a symptoms associated with
a diagnosis
Welcome specialists into your program
Provide opportunities for children of all abilities to interact
and learn together
Ask for assistance when needed – call your Child Care
Resource Center, local ARC, or the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center
POSSIBLE
ACCOMMODATIONS AND
ADAPTATIONS
Adaptive tools, such as weighted blankets or light dimmers
Modified activities, such as moving to a table or floor
Modified instructional materials, such as large-print or Braille
books
Modified schedule
Communication enhancement devices, such as if/then
boards or visual schedules
STATEWIDE QUALITY
IMPROVEMENT INITIATIVES
The state is helping early childhood
educators (childcare providers) support
children with disabilities.
EXCELLENCE COUNTS IN EARLY LEARNING AND
SCHOOL AGE CARE
CENTER FOR TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION
QUALITY STANDARDS
INCLUDE CHILDREN
WITH DISABILITIES
Maryland continues to increase initiatives to improve the quality
of child care and out of school time programs (e.g., Maryland
EXCELS).
• Dimensions of quality as they relate to inclusive practices are
incorporated into the Maryland EXCELS standards, including
requirements that programs have defined policies and procedures,
make specific professional development efforts, involve parents
and make resources available, and observe each child’s individual
progress.
REQUIRED TRAINING
A newly developed and mandated training on the ADA and
inclusive practices for all child care providers.
Over 14,000 people!
-
Regulatory change
-
125 trainers have been trained
-
Videos developed by the Maryland DD Council will be included
MORE TRAINING
The MSDE Office of Child Care training approval process was
revamped and all approved child care courses and
workshops must include information on how the subject
areas apply to children with disabilities.
• The Office of Child Care also modified the credentialing
program for child care providers.
• The modifications require more training, including training about
children with disabilities, inclusion and the Americans with
Disabilities Act; however, less than 10% of all providers are
credentialed.
• DD Council funded an online module about supporting
children with developmental disabilities in child care.
Developed by MFN.
• Workforce Development & Master Plan
ADDITIONAL
RESOURCES
Coaching and mentoring – Making Access Happen
Increased collaboration - Office of Child Care and the
Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services.
Strategic Planning - Division of SE/EIS strategic plan – 4
action imperatives, 1 on early childhood (to narrow the
school readiness gap).
Expanded resources - LOCATE services (MFN), ECMH
Consultation Project, Early Childhood Advisory Council
FREE Child Care Referrals
Referrals to child care providers 24/7 online at
http://www.marylandfamilynetwork.org/programsservices/locate/
Call a Parent Referral Specialist (Toll-Free)
877.261.0060 Monday-Friday 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Education on choosing quality child care
Referrals to other services
General consumer and community education
LOCATE:
SPECIAL NEEDS SERVICES
Funded by MSDE Division of Special Education and Early
Intervention Services
Telephone Counseling Services with Specialist
FY 2014:
• 800 parents served
• 1,107 children served
Maryland Child Care Resource Network (MCCRN)
Helping Hands
Individualized support with:
Licensing and Registration
Consultation
Technical Assistance
Training
Updating Files
Referrals to other services
QUESTIONS?
Rachel London
Director, Children & Family Policy
Maryland Developmental Disabilities
Council
410-767-3786
Rlondon@md-council.org
www.md-council.org
Steve Rohde
Deputy Director
Maryland Family Network
410-659-7701 x 240
srohde@marylandfamilynetwork.org
http://www.marylandfamilynetwork.org