Parent Center
About
Welcome!
The Charles County Parent Center is located in the F.B. Gwynn Center. We serve parents of children with disabilities aged birth to 21 enrolled in Charles County Public Schools. Our staff includes parents who have a child/children with disabilities and people who have worked closely to support those families.
The Charles County Parent Center is supported through the Maryland State Department of Education. We are here to make sure families can work as equal partners with the school system for their child’s education.
The Charles County Parent Center is a resource center for families of children with disabilities. We help families and professionals partner in the educational decision-making process by strengthening skills, providing resources and increasing knowledge.
We are trained in the IEP process and understand the difficulties you may face. We are available to assist you with finding information and resources to help support you and your family’s needs.
The Charles County Parent Center is located in F.B. Gwynn Center where you can access our lending library, computer stations, and a variety of free parent training workshops. In addition, we provide a newsletter that keeps you up-to-date on what’s going on with us.
We are so glad you are here and we want to make it easy for you to keep up with us! You can find regular updates, including upcoming workshops, on our events tab. We’ve put together a list of resources for you to check out as well. If you want to connect with us or if you have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
We look forward to working with you and your family!
The Early Intervention Services Family Survey Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program (MITP)
The Early Intervention Services Family Survey is coming to families again this Fall. Watch for this important opportunity to share how your family has been impacted by early intervention services in Maryland! In the meantime, here are answers to a few of your frequently asked questions. For more information, please contact Kenneth Hudock at the Maryland State Department of Education, 410‐767‐7770 or kenneth.hudock@maryland.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the Early Intervention Services Family Survey and why do I need to fill it out?
- Who fills out the survey and how often?
- How do I fill out the survey?
- Can I fill out just one survey even if I have more than one child in early intervention?
- Will my responses be kept private?
- Will my family’s early intervention services be affected if I choose not to fill out the survey?
- How will I receive the survey? How do I return the survey?
What is the Early Intervention Services Family Survey and why do I need to fill it out?
- The survey collects valuable feedback from families on the impact of early intervention in Maryland. The information collected directly impacts improvement efforts for State and local programs for eligible infants, toddlers and preschoolers with developmental delays/disabilities and their families.
- The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires all states to collect data on the impact of early intervention.
- The survey was developed by the National Center for Special Education Accountability Monitoring (monitoringcenter.lsuhsc.edu).
Who fills out the survey and how often?
How do I fill out the survey?
- If the question does not apply to your child and/ or family, SKIP the question.
- If you need help with the survey, please contact your service coordinator or service providers.
- For families continuing services through an Extended Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) after age 3 ONLY, please complete the two additional questions at the bottom of the survey.
- You may also complete the survey online at: mdparentsurvey.com
Can I fill out just one survey even if I have more than one child in early intervention?
Will my responses be kept private?
Will my family’s early intervention services be affected if I choose not to fill out the survey?
How will I receive the survey? How do I return the survey?
- Survey packets will be hand delivered to you by on of your service providers. Each packet will have an introductory letter, one survey, and a postage‐paid envelope for mailing it in.
- Please fill out the survey as soon as possible and put it in the mail using the postage‐paid envelope.
- The Early Intervention Services Family Survey due date is November 8, 2024.
English Version
Spanish Version
Upcoming Events
Click on the Events tab for more information about each event.
For more information contact:
Debbie Gilley, Parent Resource Coordinator | 240-776-5217| pfs@ccboe.com
The Parent Center (located inside the F.B. Gwynn Center) | 5998 Radio Station Road, La Plata, MD 20646
301-934-7456 | pfs@ccboe.com.
Calendar
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday, December 1
Monday, December 2
Tuesday, December 3
Wednesday, December 4
Thursday, December 5
Friday, December 6
Saturday, December 7
Sunday, December 8
Monday, December 9
Tuesday, December 10
Wednesday, December 11
Thursday, December 12
Friday, December 13
Saturday, December 14
Sunday, December 15
Monday, December 16
Tuesday, December 17
Wednesday, December 18
Thursday, December 19
Friday, December 20
Saturday, December 21
Sunday, December 22
Monday, December 23
Tuesday, December 24
Wednesday, December 25
Thursday, December 26
Friday, December 27
Saturday, December 28
Sunday, December 29
Monday, December 30
Tuesday, December 31
Wednesday, January 1
Thursday, January 2
Friday, January 3
Saturday, January 4
Calendar & Category Legend:
- Parent Center
Contact Us
Please only use this form to be added to the Parent Center mailing list or for questions regarding the services and events at the Parent Center.
For all other questions or concerns, please use the AskCCPS online help desk or the See Something Say Something Reporting System.
* Required
Events
The Charles County Parent Center hosts free parent training workshops that are open to the public. Whether you’re a parent or caregiver, or just someone who loves someone with a disability, these workshops are for you! We bring experts in the topics that interest you most to share helpful information. You can find our updated calendar of events on this page. Registration details are included in each post. We’ve also made it possible for you to search by date, topic, or presenter so it’s easier to find the right event for you!
Please free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions for new topics.
Events
CCPS Department of Special Education will be hosting Resource Nights for Parents/Families of students with disabilities.
These nights will be an opportunity for parents and families to pop-in to an informal setting to discuss questions and concerns related to the IEP process (e.g. referral, IEP development, eligibility, preparing for an IEP meeting etc.).
The Charles County Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee (SECAC) is a group that enables the Director of Special Education to seek meaningful input from parents, community partners, service providers, and school administrators on local issues relative to the provision of a free and appropriate public education and the achievement of students with disabilities.
Collaborative Pathways: Linking Home and School for Better Outcomes
Saturday, March 29, 2025
North Point High School
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Past events have included training in basic communication sign language, informative sessions led by the Parent’s Place of Maryland, Maryland State Department of Education, Charles County Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee (SECAC) and other partners.
Resources
We’ve put together a list of some of the resources we often recommend to families of children with disabilities. If you have additional questions about any of these resources. feel free to contact us.
- Charles County Parent Center Lending Library
- Charles County Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee (SECAC)
- CCPS Special Education Department
- LISS Program - Help from the DAA
- Maryland Developmental Disabilities Association (DDA)
- Maryland Learning Links
- Maryland State Board of Education
- Parents' Back to School Backpack
- The Charles County Autism & Developmental Disabilities Parent Support Group
- The Parent Information Series
- The Parents’ Place of Maryland
- Wrightslaw
- Understood
Charles County Parent Center Lending Library
At the Charles County Parent Center, we have a lending library of books on a variety of topics. If you would like to borrow any of these resources, please contact us, and we can arrange a pick up.
Click here to see our inventory listed on a living document.
Charles County Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee (SECAC)
The Charles County Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee (SECAC) needs parent and community participation. This group enables the Director of Special Education to seek meaningful input from parents, community partners, service providers, and school administrators on local issues relative to the provision of a free and appropriate public education and the achievement of students with disabilities.
SECAC typically meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:30 PM. The meetings are held in the Parent Center at the F.B. Gwynn Center, 5998 Radio Station Road, La Plata, MD 20646, (301) 539-9102.
CCPS Special Education Department
CCPS Special Education Department
Location
Jesse L. Starkey
Administration Bldg.
5980 Radio Station Road
La Plata, MD 20646
Phone
Main: (301) 932-6610 or (301) 870-3814
24-hour Info. Hotline: (301) 932-6656 or (301) 934-7410
Fax: (301) 932-6651
TTY: (301) 392-7579
Mailing Address
Charles County Public Schools
P.O. Box 2770
La Plata, Maryland 2064
LISS Program - Help from the DAA
What is the DDA?
The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Association (DDA) offers support to people with developmental disabilities. They also help fund most state programs that provide developmental disability services. One of the supports the DDA offers is the Low Intensity Support Service Program (LISS).
What is the LISS Program?
This program is meant for children or adults with disabilities living with their families or in the community. The LISS helps cover the cost of certain disability services or items.
How can I apply for the LISS program?
To make sure there is equal opportunity to access the program, the DDA uses a random selection process. This means you can submit an application, and a certain number of people will be chosen like a lottery.
If you would like to apply for the LISS, you can now do so online! The application for FY 2021 is available until November 23, 2020. Click here for the online application.
You can also request a paper copy from Maryland Community Connection if you don’t want to apply online.
How do I learn more about this?
If you’d like to learn more about the DDA, click here to visit their website. Details for all of their programs and supportive services are listed there. Click here to find more information about the LISS program.
If you have other questions or concerns, you can reach out to Maryland Community Connection. Maryland Community Connection is the provider for LISS in Charles County.
Maryland Developmental Disabilities Association (DDA)
The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Association (DDA) provides support to people living at home and in community with disabilities. Their programs and services help to improve quality of life. The DDA is also the primary funder from the state for community-based programs for people with developmental disabilities.
| Phone | TDD | Toll Free | Fax | |
| (301) 362- 5100 | (301) 362-5131 | (888) 207-2479 | (301) 362- 5130 | smro.dda@maryland.gov |
Maryland Learning Links
Maryland Learning Links is the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Early Intervention and Special Education Services’ (DEI/SES) online portal providing educators and leaders with the special education resources, guidance, and professional learning resources they need to improve outcomes and narrow the gap for students with disabilities.
Our mission is to close existing gaps between children with disabilities and their non-disabled peers by fine-tuning our key measures of success and key strategies for implementation and expanding our innovative tools, resources, and evidence-based practices.
200 W. Baltimore St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: (410) 767-0238
Fax: (410) 767-2488
https://marylandlearninglinks.org/
Maryland State Board of Education
Under the leadership of the State Superintendent of Schools and guidance from the Maryland State Board of Education, the Department develops and implements standards and policy for education programs from pre-kindergarten through high school.
200 West Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21201-2595
(410) 767-0100
visit maryland public schools
Technical Assistance Bulletins and Publications
MSDE Division of Early Intervention and Special Education Services provides Technical Assistance Bulletins with up-to-date information on special education services and programs. The bulletins are in chronological order, so older bulletins are at the top of the page, and newer bulletins are found as you scroll down.
Click here for Maryland pubic school programs
Click here for publications detailing Special Education services
Parents' Back to School Backpack
The Charles County Autism & Developmental Disabilities Parent Support Group
The Charles County Autism & Developmental Disabilities Parent Support Group is a local community support group with the intention of providing a safe, supportive space for parents of autistic & developmentally disabled kids. Meetings are on the first of Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm via Zoom mutual support, connection, & resource-sharing. You can also join their private Facebook group for ongoing community and support. If you have additional questions, feel free to connect with them via email at ccparentgroup@gmail.com.
The Parent Information Series
The Parents’ Place of Maryland
The Parents’ Place of Maryland began in 1990 as a grass-roots effort of families, professionals, and community leaders determined to provide resources, support, and information to parents of children with disabilities and special health care needs. Our philosophy of “families helping families” reflects our commitment to supporting families of diverse backgrounds. Today, the Parents’ Place offers a variety of programs and services that continue to support families of children with disabilities and special health care needs. Serving as Maryland’s Parent Training and Information Center and Family-to-Family Health Information Center, Parents’ Place supports thousands of Maryland families each year. Parents’ Place, staffed primarily by parents who have faced these challenges, believes that experienced parents are a key source of knowledge and support to help other families become effective voices for their own children.
802 Cromwell Park Dr. Ste. Q
Glen Burnie, MD 21061
1-800-394-5694
(410) 768 –9100
www.ppmd.org
Wrightslaw
Wrightslaw offers a variety of special education law and advocacy programs taught by nationally-recognized experts in the field of special education law and advocacy. Wrightslaw special education law and advocacy programs are designed to meet the needs of parents, advocates, educators, attorneys, and health care providers who represent children with disabilities.
Pete Wright is an attorney who represents children with special educational needs. His advocacy grew out of his personal educational experiences.
Learn More about Pete Wright, Esquire and Wrightslaw:
Understood
Since 2014, Understood has served millions of families of kids who learn and think differently.
Our programs for Families, Educators, and Young Adults focus on empowering people who learn and think differently and those who support them, offering customized, accessible resources and a compassionate community. We work with educators, health care professionals, researchers, and human resource professionals to provide proven, vetted information.
Learn How to Tell If Your Child’s Difficulties “are serious enough” For an Evaluation
It can be hard to know when to have your child evaluated. You may wonder if your child will outgrow difficulties, or if they’re serious enough for you to take action. But just being concerned may be reason enough to look into it. Our friends at Understood.org have helpful tools to know when to ask for an evaluation, what happens in an evaluation and what the benefits of evaluations are.
5 Common Misconceptions About IEPs
We might know what an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is, but the details can sometimes be tricky. Myths and false assumptions about IEPs abound. Here are five common misconceptions—and the facts about each.
How to Organize Your Child’s IEP Binder