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: Post Secondary Options for Transitioning Youth: What’s Next after High School? November 19: Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE): New Opportunities to Save for Disability Related Expenses

Rachel London Director, Children & Family Policy Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council Steve Rohde Deputy Director Maryland Family Network x MAKING INCLUSIVE CHILD CARE A REALITY

WHO WE ARE Our mission is to ensure that all young children and families have the resources to succeed. 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

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!: 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

Referrals to child care providers 24/7 online at services/locate/ services/locate/ Call a Parent Referral Specialist (Toll-Free) Monday-Friday 8:30 am-4:30 pm Education on choosing quality child care Referrals to other services General consumer and community education FREE Child Care Referrals

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)

Individualized support with: Licensing and Registration Consultation Technical Assistance Training Updating Files Referrals to other services Helping Hands

Rachel London Director, Children & Family Policy Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council Steve Rohde Deputy Director Maryland Family Network x QUESTIONS?