Social Story: Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine
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.
Política Escolar vs. IDEA
¡AYUDA! La escuela de mi hijo ha enviado una nueva política / procedimiento / práctica escolar y sí lo seguimos, el IEP de mi hijo no se puede implementar.
Tips to Support Mask-Wearing for Students with Disabilities
Check out this MSDE Technical Assistance Bulletin about mask-wearing for students with disabilities.
OSEP Question and Answer for IDEA Part B
The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), within the U.S. Department of
Education’s (Department) Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,
issues this Question and Answer (Q & A) document in response to inquiries concerning
implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B provision
of services in the current COVID-19 environment. View here.
Homeschooling, Home & Hospital Instruction, Remote Learning… What Do They All Mean?!
Understanding terms is important. Use this factsheet to understand the difference between home school, home and hospital instruction, and remote learning.
School Policy vs. IDEA
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.
Questions to Ask Your Child’s School Team for Support with Behaviors
PPMD collaborated with TIES Center to bring you a factsheet that will help you ask questions to your child’s school team to support your child’s behaviors at home during distance learning.
Am I Ready for My Child to Attend School In-Person? Checklist
This checklist can be used to help you decide if you are comfortable with your child returning to school
in-person. Discuss your concerns with your child’s health care provider and school team.
Key Considerations for Special Educators and the Infants, Children, and Youth They Serve as Schools Reopen
The Council for Exceptional Children released an article about considerations for special educators and children as school reopens during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read this article to learn what your family and your child’s school team should consider before school begins this fall.
Return to School During COVID-19
With the start of a new school year, a lot needs to happen so that students can learn and thrive without raising the risk of spreading COVID-19. Read this article to learn what your child’s school can do to ensure children will be safe.
COVID-19 Planning Considerations: Guidance for School Re-entry
The American Academy of Pediatrics issued a guidance for school re-entry during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read it here to learn what school re-entry policies should consider before re-opening.
Back to School Planning: Checklists to Guide Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers
The CDC created this resource for families to use before their children go back to school. Back to school planning will look different this year than it has in previous years. Your school will have new policies in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. You may also be starting the school year with virtual learning components. Whatever the situation, these checklists are intended to help parents, guardians, and caregivers, plan and prepare for the upcoming school year.
School Decision-Making Tool for Parents, Caregivers, and Guardians
The CDC developed this tool to help parents, caregivers, and guardians weigh the risks and benefits of available educational options to help them make decisions about sending their child back to school.
Eating During a Pandemic Webinar
Watch our webinar to learn how to prioritize your family’s nutrition in unprecedented times. Featuring a licensed dietician.
Federal Public Health Emergency Extended
On July 24th, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services renewed the federal public health emergency (PHE) as a result of the continued consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Maryland Department of Health issued an official statement that all COVID-19 related flexibilities implemented by the Department remain in place, including the ability to offer telehealth services delivered using audio-only or non-HIPAA compliant technology. View the official statement below.
MSDE TAB: Home and Hospital Teaching Supplement on Students with Disabilities
View the Maryland State Department of Education’s Technical Assistance Bulletin on Home and Hospital Teaching. This document answers frequently asked questions, that you may have, about about Home and Hospital Teaching.
Extending Transition Timeframe for Autism Waiver Participants Exiting the School System and/or “Aging Out” During the COVID-19 Pandemic
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.
Webinar: Data Collection during COVID-19
Watch this webinar to learn how to track your child’s progress while engaging in virtual learning from home.
Parent Tips for a Virtual IEP Meeting
IEP meetings will still be held despite not being able to meet in person. Read these tips on how to prepare and take part in a virtual IEP meeting.
How to Set Up a Mobile Hotspot
Your phone carrier may allow you to set up a mobile hotspot through your smartphone at a lower cost to help with your internet needs during COVID-19. Use this guide to help set up your mobile hotspot on your android or iPhone.
Special COVID Payments: Frequently Asked Questions
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.
What Military Families Need to Know about COVID-19
The National Military Family Association has created a hub of information for military families regarding COVID-19. This website is updated regularly.
Resources for the Rare Disease Community
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
Parent Guides for Face Mask Use
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.
DD Council Resources
Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council has created a resource to support families engage in virtual meetings. View this resource here in English and Spanish.
TOP 10 TIPS for Distance Learning for Young Children
Use this resource to learn tips for distance learning if you have young children.
MD Department of Health Issues Guidance for for Transitioning Youth and Families
On May 12th, The Maryland Department of Health issued guidance on Transitioning Youth Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
MD Departments of Disabilities and Health Issue Guidance for Patients with Disabilities
On May 11th, 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.
Self-Care Resources
Watch this PPMD webinar for helpful tips about taking care of yourself during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Use these companion tip sheets and resources.
COVID-19 and What’s Next: What Parents Need to Know Webinar & Companion Resources
Watch this PPMD webinar for helpful resources on what you need to know about how the COVID-19 Pandemic and School Closures affect your child’s education and special education services on PPMD’s YouTube channel, linked below in the resource section. Use these companion tip sheets and resources.







Zoom & Tele-Therapy Resource Guides for Parents
PPMD has created three new resource pages to help parents prepare their children to participate effectively for Zoom classes and Tele-therapy. The resource pages focus on how to use Zoom, Zoom etiquette, and preparing for a virtual meeting.
MD Dept of Health Expands Definition of Telehealth
The Maryland Department of Health has expanded the definition of a telehealth originating site to include a participant’s home or any other secure location as approved by the participant and the provider for purpose of delivery of Medicaid-covered services. This expansion applies to services delivered to a Medicaid participant via fee-for-service or through a HealthChoice Managed Care Organization (“MCO”).
MD DDA COVID-19 Updates
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!
MSDE, Division of Early Intervention/Special Education TABs on Serving Children w/Disabilities During School Closure Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic
MSDE, Division of Early Intervention/Special Education TABS:
Technical Assistance Bulletin on Serving Children w/Disabilities Under IDEA During School Closure Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Technical Assistance Bulletin on Providing Continuity of Learning to Students with Disabilities Through Nonpublic Special Education Schools during COVID-19
Technical Assistance Bulletin on Providing Continuity of Learning to Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, Blind, Low-Vision, and DeafBlind Students during COVID-19
Technical Assistance Bulletin on Navigating Secondary Transition Services for Students with Disabilities during COVID-19
Technical Assistance Bulletin on Continuity of the IFSP for Young Children (Birth – Age 4) with Developmental Delays/Disabilities and their Families during Extended School/Agency Closure due to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Technical Assistance Bulletin on Providing Continuity of Learning for Students with Disabilities who require Extensive, Intensive, Individualized Instruction and Support during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Technical Assistance Bulletin on Supporting the Use of Assistive Technology in a Virtual and/or Distance Learning Environment
Technical Assistance Bulletin on Providing Continuity of Learning to Students with Disabilities during COVID-19
MSDE, Division of Early Intervention/Special Education – Extended School Year (ESY) Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic
MSDE, Division of Early Intervention/Special Education – A Parents’ Guide: Navigating Special Education during the COVID-19 Pandemic
MSDE, Division of Early Intervention/Special Education – A Guide for Emotional Well-Being
COPAA’s FAQ: Let’s Work Together to Embrace the IDEA and Educate Students













Resources for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing




OCR Issues Bulletin on Civil Rights Laws & HIPAA Flexibilities
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 ).
Updated Coronavirus Links for MD Dept of Health and MSDE
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
US Dept of Ed COVID-19 Supplemental Fact Sheet
March 21, 2020 Document: reaffirms the rights of students to receive educational instruction and related services under federal special education law during the COVID-19 pandemic, and they offered additional clarification about how states can creatively serve all students including students with disabilities.
Wrightslaw Q&A on FAPE and Coronavirus
Wrightslaw just put out a newly published resource to answer questions about IEPs, IEP meetings and evaluations, and additional resources for at home support.
Maryland Free Student Meals During Coronavirus Pandemic
List of Maryland distribution sites for Free Student Meals in both English and Spanish
US Dept of Education-Office of Civil Right Fact Sheet
March 18, 2020: US Department of Education-Office of Civil Rights released a Fact Sheet Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Schools While Protecting the Civil Rights of Students
Plain Language Booklet on Coronavirus
This easy to read booklet about the Coronavirus is from SARTAC was written by and for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). It focuses on “need to know” information (not “nice to know” information).