Parent Involvement Groups

Family Support Services (FSS) helps to meet the needs of families with children, birth to 3, with developmental delays or disabilities in Maryland. FSS works closely with Calvert County Infants and Toddlers Program (ITP) and can assist families by:

• Providing information to families about community services, including local support and advocacy groups
• Aid in linking “experienced” caregivers to newly identified caregivers with a child who has similar special needs

FSS helps support families with children, age 3 to 5, when children transition from the ITP to the Local School System (LSS) preschool special education program or other community-based early childhood settings. The Mayland State Department of Education (MSDE) has made funding available to local ITPs to expand services provided through the local FSS to assists families by:

• Providing ongoing support to families of children aged 3-5
• Help with maintaining the connection with the local ITP
• Fostering new connections among families with preschool programs and community services

FSS was initiated as a part of each local school system in Maryland. The goal is to provide knowledge and skills needed for caregivers and educators to work together as equal partners in the educational decision-making process FSS aims to accomplish this by:

• Increasing caregiver involvement in the special education decision making process
• Provide information and resources about disabilities and community services
• Assist families in making informed decisions regarding their child’s education and help resolve any concerns that may arise
• Increasing collaborative efforts through information and training

The Calvert County Family Support Services Lending Library, located at the Child Find and Infants & Toddlers program at Calvert Country School, offers a wide variety of materials, including books, audiobooks, videos and software, covering topics such as disabilities, health issues, child development, parenting, teaching strategies, IEP information, and more. If you would like more information about materials in our lending library, please email Kristina Tchoumak.

We will provide various workshops periodically throughout the school year for both parents and educators. Topics will range from IEP information to behavior and social skills for your child. If you have a suggestion for a workshop topic, please email Kristina Tchoumak.

Periodic newsletters containing information and events concerning disabilities in this community and the surrounding area will be distributed through the school to all parents of a student in a special education classroom. If you are interested and your child does not receive a newsletter please email Kristina Tchoumak.

• Providing information and Special Education resources
• Assistance with understanding the IEP Process
• Information about local, state and national parent organizations
• Assistance and help understanding the transition process from school to adulthood