COVID-19 Issues

As parents, we face challenges when we try to help our children in their school work. It is even more challenging when we are “going to school” from home. Sometimes children may get stuck and frustrated during remote learning. Here are some strategies and tools to help your child get “unstuck” when they are frustrated with learning. These will help your child be more independent and successful learners. Choose what works for you.

MD State Department of Education created a guide to help families understand what Compensatory Education and Recovery Services is, how the process works, and the steps that families can take if a family has questions or disagrees with the school.

The U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division and U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights have created a resource for families to help if they believe that their children have been harassed in school. If a child/youth has experienced harassment this resource includes steps a family can take.

FCC ANNOUNCES EMERGENCY BROADBAND BENEFIT!The Emergency Broadband Benefit is an FCC program to help households having difficulties paying for internet service during the pandemic. This new benefit will connect eligible households to jobs, critical healthcare services, and virtual classrooms. Read more here:

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought overwhelming grief to many families. At FEMA, our mission is to help people before, during and after disasters. We are dedicated to helping ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the virus.

Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA will provide financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020.

Learn more by clicking here.

Maryland State Department of Education Technical Assistance Bulletin: Tips to Support Behavior & Social Emotional Well-Being During Transitions Across Service Delivery Models

Maryland State Department of Education Technical Assistance Bulletin: Tips to Address Special Education Staff Shortages, Scheduling, and Logistical Challenges Across Varied Service Delivery Models

Maryland State Department of Education Technical Assistance Bulletin: Tips for Supporting Engagement of Students with Disabilities through Alternative Service Delivery Models

Maryland State Department of Education Technical Assistance Bulletin: Tips to Support Concurrent Virtual and Face to Face Instruction

Maryland State Department of Education Technical Assistance Bulletin Tips to Support Mask-Wearing for Students with Disabilities.

On January 25, 2021, AW providers and Service Coordinators (SCs) received updated guidance that given an announcement from the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) the PHE would likely be extended through 2021; the Appendix K flexibilities will remain in place at this time and likely through calendar year 2021.In response to this new and exciting news, we have received a number of questions from AW SCs and providers. The following guidance has been prepared by the MSDE and MDH to address frequently asked questions.

We cannot stress enough the importance of self-care, especially in times like these. Use this fact sheet to understand the basics of self-care.

The Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities at Kennedy Krieger Institute is part of a national collaboration to create a virtual “Center for Dignity in Healthcare for People with Disabilities.” The Center created the attached plain language social story regarding getting the vaccine.

Understanding terms is important. Use this factsheet to understand the difference between home school, home and hospital instruction, and remote learning.

School has started which means there are many policies and guidance being sent. Here is a quick one-pager to remind you of the importance of your child’s IEP.

Watch our webinar to learn how to prioritize your family’s nutrition in unprecedented times. Featuring a licensed dietician.

The Maryland Department of Health, Developmental Disabilities Administration, and the Maryland State Department of Education have continued funding for services covered by its waiver for individuals who are 22 years of age or older during COVID-19.

This means that Autism Waiver participants, who would have otherwise been disenrolled, can remain on the Autism Waiver after June 30th. Please see the attachments for more information.

The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council, Department of Disabilities, Department of Health, and Maryland ABLE created a factsheet answering questions about the COVID-19 Stimulus Payment and provide information about ABLE accounts. Use this factsheet to help answer the questions you have had about the COVID-19 Stimulus Payment.

The National Military Family Association has created a hub of information for military families regarding COVID-19. This website is updated regularly.

The following fact sheet was adapted from the webinar, “A Rare Response: Addressing the COVID-19 Pandemic” sponsored by National Organization for Rare Diseases (NORD) on March 31, 2020

PPMD has created a factsheet with helpful hints for getting your child to wear a face mask.

The Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities at the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School created these resources for parents to support their children in wearing face masks.

On May 11^th, the Maryland Department of Disabilities and Department of Health issued joint departmental guidance on access to supports for patients with disabilities in hospital settings during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Watch this PPMD webinar to learn about telehealth during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Use these companion resources to view guides and other information about telehealth.

Watch this PPMD webinar for helpful tips about taking care of yourself during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Use these companion tip sheets and resources.

Families on MD DDA – make sure you check out the MD DDA COVID-19 Updates.  The DDA Waivers Appendix K was submitted to the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on Friday, and posted on the MD DDA website.  In addition, the DDA COVID-19 Questions and Answers has been updated on this website – check them out!

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that privacy restrictions on platforms for telehealth have been waived during the COVID-19 Emergency. OCR’s Notice of Enforcement Discretion allowing providers to serve patients where they are through commonly used apps like FaceTime, Skype, and Zoom to provide telehealth remote communications. (Otherwise HIPAA and FERPA rules could have gotten in the way of online delivery of therapy and other health services
).

Update Information on Coronavirus Pandemic in Maryland to include the Maryland Department of Health

The Maryland State Department of Education: closure of all public schools in Maryland for an additional four weeks through April 24, 2020

Wrightslaw just put out a newly published resource to answer questions about IEPs, IEP meetings and evaluations, and additional resources for at home support.

Graphic developed in several languages