CONNECTIONS BEYOND SIGHT AND SOUND

Joint Steering Committee MeetingJanuary 28, 2015

AgendaI. Welcome & Introductions

II. Update on Connections Grant

III. Census Review – It is that time of year again!

IV. Review of HR 4040

Break (10:45am - 11am)

V. Presentations by Committee Chairpersons

Lunch (12n - 1pm)

VI. Committee Meetings (1pm – 3:30pm)

Conceptual Framework

Update on CBSS Grant ActivitiesCBSS – Year 1 and Year 2

• Policy, Practice & Partnerships

- Interveners- Transition- SSPs- Statewide Trainings- Families

CBSS – Year 1 and Year 2 (continued…)

• Policy, Practice, & Partnerships – “Lots accomplished, lots planned.”

• Technical Assistance

- Specialized- Intensive- Universal…

Update on CBSS Grant Activities

CBSS – Year 1 and Year 2 (continued)

Our New Website!

Same address – totally new look – AND, up-to-date with news, activities, & resources!

And new materials – video, brochure, galleries, and more…

www.CBSS.UMD.edu

Update on CBSS Grant Activities

CBSS – Year 1 and Year 2 (conclusion)

• National Child Count / Census Forms

Update on CBSS Grant Activities

THE MD & DC ANNUAL CHILD COUNT OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH COMBINED VISION AND HEARING LOSS

WHAT IS THE ANNUAL CHILD COUNT OF CHILDREN WHO ARE DEAF-BLIND?

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COMPLETE THE NECESSARY PAPERWORK?

Child Count Reporting Form 2014-2015

What makes this form complete?

• Testing

• Assessments

• Etiology*

WHY IS THE ANNUAL CHILD COUNT SO IMPORTANT?

WHAT EXACTLY IS MEANT BY THE TERM DEAF-BLIND?

WHAT IF A CHILD HAS MULTIPLE DISABILITIES THAT HAPPEN TO INCLUDE VISION AND HEARING PROBLEMS?

WHAT IF THE HEARING AND/OR VISION PROBLEMS ARE CORTICAL IN NATURE?

WHAT IF DEAF-BLINDNESS IS NOT LISTED AS A STUDENT'S PRIMARY DISABILITY CONDITION THE INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM (IEP)?

DOES INCLUDING A CHILD ON THE ANNUAL CHILD COUNT / CENSUS OBLIGATE THE SCHOOL PROGRAM TO PROVIDE SERVICES SUCH AS VISION, HEARING, ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY, ETC.?

Why is a child's diagnosis included on the census form?

WHAT IF MY SCHOOL DISTRICT DOES NOT CURRENTLY HAVE ANY STUDENTS WHO ARE DEAF-BLIND AT THIS TIME?

WHAT IF I DON'T KNOW ALL THE INFORMATION REQUESTED ON THE CENSUS FORM FOR A PARTICULAR STUDENT?

WHO SHOULD COMPLETE THE ANNUAL CHILD COUNT / CENSUS FORM?

HOW IS THE INFORMATION USED?

WHAT IF I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE CHILD COUNT THAT HASN'T BEEN ANSWERED HERE?

DONNA RICCOBONODONNARIC@UMD.EDU

YOU CAN HELP BY COMPLETING OR UPDATING THE CENSUS FORM!

WE APPRECIATE YOU!

HR 4040What is this?• Alice Cogswell & Annie Sullivan Macy Act• Amendment to IDEA• Impacts the rights of students

Why this matters…• CBSS is the DC & MD Deaf-blind project –

Policies that impact this population are connected to our work• Could make interveners a “related service”• Training and preparation of interveners will be needed

Impact on children, families, providers, and practice?

Break

See you in 15 minutes

Updates on Policy & Practice

Update from D/HOH Chair --- Olivia Hill

Update from B/VI Chair --- Mindy Demaris

Lunch 12-1pand

Committee Meetings 1-3:30p

Stay Connected…

www.CBSS.UMD.edu“Like Us” on FACEBOOK

“The Maryland and DC Deaf-blind Project”

See you next year…