[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6488670,"mediaKeyId","5702757-ad87b1f91af3f7af2c97f23cacd7c617","parentId",5702757,"title","CCAC approves May minutes; committee to form subcommittees including new policy/legislative ad hoc","audioSeconds",86,"startMs",511000,"endMs",597000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5702757-ad87b1f91af3f7af2c97f23cacd7c617&start=511&end=597","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5702757-ad87b1f91af3f7af2c97f23cacd7c617/thumbnail_511000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6488670/Maryland/CCAC-approves-May-minutes-committee-to-form-subcommittees-including-new-policylegislative-ad-hoc","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6488670-dddc15662fdae92689029a1929722216/orig.mp4?Expires=1773569954&Signature=doiKRxfDp6jKZTi83mrjOdV~2FJE5dxrDaLS-nvAxneYu91kz1-Q7aZCcbNCRZ8bPVVJnt~BIxTYxIkfgcALpZ8gkkZlB5apblQnnkT9nDiCzyv-2xxItGp6XgV-yX2vw5BA~r4X26Jv2VkE9Z5fhk0zQZIu4bW6S9HPeCs4B0BJUT2mbgwseEi8iDu3LA4qVAHY9UFuQtVw57GZokBXRrbV1nu7dls851zDJdXTa4A6lX2Yi8kVqX~M~HHsl8nuh4ybSLC4OQQWF-F5RcTpYS7njajSTF5ZsuQA73UZElKaZa0pwx06dEOQnl5HHURX7vo9dNIQw~mZFyrshvBPPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Frederick County Public Schools","date","2025-08-27T13:06:51Z","article","The Special Education Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CCAC) voted to approve the minutes for the May 19, 2025 meeting. Amy Kilpatrick moved to approve the minutes and Sarah Sharehofer seconded. The motion carried with 19 in favor and one abstention recorded for Rania Adema.

Agenda business also covered committee organization for the coming school year. Chair Jamie Shoplin told members the CCAC will form standing subcommittees (budget, membership, events, communication, student voices) and intends to convene an ad hoc policy and legislative subcommittee to monitor state and federal developments, including Blueprint implementation legislation in Annapolis. The group plans to revive an ad hoc committee to consider board of education election engagement and candidates’ positions on special education issues.

Members discussed streamlining subcommittee start-up by having CCAC officers and interested members meet with potential chairs to draft work plans and clarify expectations. The committee’s bylaws require monthly subcommittee meetings and a work plan from each group; chair Shoplin said officers will assist new subcommittees in forming and selecting chairs.

Member voices included requests to examine transportation communication between special education and transportation staff, and positive reports about school-level improvements: a bus driver arranging planning time with special education staff, a new elementary building whose design (doors and walls) supported greater inclusion, and an added specialized classroom at Urbana Elementary. The committee agreed to pursue transportation information for a future meeting.

Chair Shoplin announced the next CCAC meeting will be Sept. 15 from 6–8 p.m. in the Board Room; Dr. Dyson is scheduled to attend and the CCAC hopes to present subcommittee work plans at that meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee - August 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Special Education CCAC approved the minutes from the May 19, 2025 meeting, with 19 in favor and one abstention. Members discussed forming standing and ad hoc subcommittees, including a new policy and legislative ad hoc group and a revived election-related ad hoc.","taxTitle","Frederick County Public Schools, School Boards, Maryland","taxId",14207,"location","Maryland","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6488674,"Partners for Success announces support groups, open house and IEP workshop series for families",497,2346000,2843000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5702757-ad87b1f91af3f7af2c97f23cacd7c617&start=2346&end=2843","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5702757-ad87b1f91af3f7af2c97f23cacd7c617/thumbnail_2346000.jpg","/articles/6488674/Maryland/Partners-for-Success-announces-support-groups-open-house-and-IEP-workshop-series-for-families","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6488674-7f2af400ddde887b410059ad464198af/orig.mp4?Expires=1773569954&Signature=EuJQLJcybqO85qmagU-Yg33ruCp2C06-hvBbIZM18r8OfwfOnXdxg9Yhv62O8EtVnYuPC~yQhPgjbkXAVg8JtY1H~gvy0OhEcaBSE82IkfHKOBBtR8vgJXWEmJB-4UguI9zYEkdEMxpgNMEFKjUkBL8m3ZfxFkjbNkFYIhuKTTVNt101~ToOwO6tZ20KRletheftXp9LKqMJmE2XeLDmTzeQkbJ85leZD4u21tPb-a74LtQ~pHLORsNUsTqY94E~4-O8y9u6SezGM6I4~q2rWhPA-LQJwsJn04MyNwZwkMwRTpvT5QCtxBJnRaiMo7I5~BAZLA-LTWDCXVaBdmi1FQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Issa and Grace from Partners for Success told the CCAC the program will resume monthly caregiver support groups this fall: morning groups will meet the second Thursday of each month at the Common Market and evening groups will meet the first Tuesday of each month at Basil Therapies, where childcare will be available.

Partners for Success plans a family resource center open house on Sept. 26 from 1:30–4 p.m., described as a back-to-school event with vendors and child activities including therapy-dog read-alouds hosted by the Frederick Library. The group is organizing a virtual workshop on Sept. 11 to guide families through the Monocacy Foundation application process.

Partners for Success also announced a four-part IEP informational series aimed at parents: Oct. 9 will cover the parent portal and communication and parental rights; Dec. 2 will cover goals, services and present levels; Feb. 26 will address ESY and summer opportunities; and April 23 will focus on transition (in partnership with Mary Kate Henry). An inclusivity training with the Parents’ Place of Maryland is scheduled for Oct. 17; a trauma-informed session is planned but the date is to be determined.

The group said it is working with BCBAs and behavioral-health partners to develop a behavior training series, expanding SIP Shop activities to include ages 4–8 for February and May events, and continuing to refine a year-at-a-glance calendar that will be posted on FCPS Partners for Success channels when platform access is arranged.

Partners for Success encouraged CCAC members to suggest resources and volunteer at events and said they will circulate sign-up information and event flyers in the coming weeks.","Partners for Success outlined monthly support groups, a family resource center open house Sept. 26, a Monocacy Foundation application workshop Sept. 11 and a four-part IEP workshop series beginning Oct. 9.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6488679,"FCPS special education officials describe EdPlan MD rollout, ParentConnect portal and program expansions",571,1831000,2402000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5702757-ad87b1f91af3f7af2c97f23cacd7c617&start=1831&end=2402","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5702757-ad87b1f91af3f7af2c97f23cacd7c617/thumbnail_1831000.jpg","/articles/6488679/Maryland/FCPS-special-education-officials-describe-EdPlan-MD-rollout-ParentConnect-portal-and-program-expansions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6488679-77513983ea2c340f5f0ff3f4437a8694/orig.mp4?Expires=1773569954&Signature=WkIeaPreSenkciuvfy7nFC4bB~qdng6EbDDxiyo8eOc9WdIMHTiLgMtYVNJ8hB3znYPVbTvF6uNpK0ygsAhPw96t1O3~Qdfx9T45hDPvwx-wk9plM95uqN~zESgKL3Ve7PiORpzG2JdrpebukhvWajHixGM2wcohMhZBnPKbbCkXX8K3UUsIf~aB9AI6g9~AkgoPdoKJK2gNvrgGHrATHPvYPLlGj6y8dAzzqzJEyFncbHaqKk4VUmI6SSyCmFVs~DF2~9DdM-~BtN3MiKvPZ9WJl40vU1dGiBe38Bo6bHozlWXErtzZwqIyE5MkNUmZ6y3JPgLGi3~vSGFt-RFEVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Laura Buckley, director in the Frederick County Public Schools Department of Special Education, told the Special Education CCAC the district launched EdPlan MD this summer as the new platform for individualized education programs (IEPs) and Section 504 plans, replacing Maryland Online IEP.

Buckley said FCPS trained more than 1,000 staff members over the summer and is currently accessing both EdPlan and the legacy system during the transition. She described ParentConnect, a family-facing portal that will surface current and historical documents, case manager contact information and progress reports; Buckley said ParentConnect translates into more than 26 languages. She noted parents do not receive a ParentConnect email until their child’s first document is uploaded to the portal and advised members to check spam folders for messages from edplanconnect@pcgus.com.

Buckley said the district is replacing free-text IEP notes with formal prior written notices generated in EdPlan, to reduce redundancy and strengthen documentation. She also pointed CCAC members to the board packet for an Aug. 6 presentation (packet pages 115–168) that includes the system overview and data. Buckley said students with disabilities constitute 13.41% of FCPS enrollment and students with 504 plans are 7.52%.

On program development, Buckley described expansion of specialized programming, including a RISE program currently serving students at Thurmont Middle School and a second RISE location. The department published an inclusive continuum of services guidebook for staff and families, has strengthened compliance tracking and is emphasizing co-teaching strategies, tier 1 supports and staff well-being.

When asked about organizational changes, Buckley said Mr. Keller will serve as the district’s elementary director of special education while she will function as the secondary director for the school year; she offered to provide the committee an updated org chart showing those shifts. Buckley said the department will continue monthly updates and asked members to raise questions about training dates, parent drop-in resources and how schools plan to use ParentConnect during open houses.

Buckley invited CCAC members to a Sept. 10 board meeting presentation and said the department will provide a data sheet to the committee with level-by-level breakdowns of student counts and program placements.","Frederick County Public Schools’ special education leaders briefed the CCAC on the district’s transition to EdPlan MD for IEPs/504 plans, ParentConnect features, updated program counts and other service changes, and answered member questions about staff training, director roles and communications.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6488684,"Monocacy Foundation outlines eligibility, limits and Oct. 3 grant deadline for Frederick County residents with disabilities",1168,611000,1779000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5702757-ad87b1f91af3f7af2c97f23cacd7c617&start=611&end=1779","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5702757-ad87b1f91af3f7af2c97f23cacd7c617/thumbnail_611000.jpg","/articles/6488684/Maryland/Monocacy-Foundation-outlines-eligibility-limits-and-Oct-3-grant-deadline-for-Frederick-County-residents-with-disabilities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6488684-4db978254d7d42636dd2b8602da43592/orig.mp4?Expires=1773569954&Signature=A7S03LqV2LO5Tz4qmw8FVZ1G-ydL9DuTCUYFFoer07a13ynx4hg33MCmpIw7QEB6crokm7Uh-oDpnvtKoZOTOxdh-suc6pjWzHlXSp6aCqXrNdFk7R3ixeQ46fa7X~853DjRqgV3264j-Kcs7FnojMDr5j330XwxTnst8zhEvdHnNu0ObrNyZs3czZajfQV2T-rCtAi36i42HE2K2WFNhGGabRoDtxx9MRXcj0WwafAtMaQ76sVKj4XfV8siz98fSt2GKHTdbUaLyxsz8uSrhPk0RztyPvDKUd4PzZUg-pz9eVM9Lun0VR9-STXzMW4ohJT4FaTtPextOkm4VcvkAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Martie Young, president of the Monocacy Foundation, told the Special Education Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CCAC) that the foundation has distributed more than $650,000 since its 1995 founding and now awards roughly $50,000–$55,000 a year in small grants to Frederick County residents with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Young said the grant cycle opened Aug. 15 and closes Oct. 3. Applicants must be Frederick County residents, have an intellectual or developmental disability, demonstrate financial need and identify a specific item or program to fund. The foundation reviews more than 100 applications each year, Young told the committee, and trustees evaluate every request before awarding funds.

The foundation will not pay for general home improvements, most respite requests, appliances or furniture, funeral expenses, routine transportation costs, car repairs, electric bikes, or ongoing insurance co-pays. Young said the group generally avoids paying for hearing aids or dental work because, in the foundation’s experience, recipients sometimes do not use or maintain those items. The foundation does fund ramps when a home modification is essential and pays directly to vendors for approved services — for example, swim lessons, therapeutic horseback riding, music or art lessons, adaptive equipment, technology, or tickets for short, individual outings such as Hershey Park.

Young said the youngest grantee has been under 1 year old and the oldest in their 90s. Average awards run around $500, although some requests — for instance, horseback riding — can cost more. Applicants should expect notification a couple of weeks after the trustees meet in October; Young said trustees try to avoid outright denials when possible because demand exceeds available funds.

During Q&A, Young confirmed the foundation pays vendors directly for lessons and services and that the foundation’s trustees include finance professionals, parents of children with disabilities and current/former special education teachers who review requests for appropriateness.

The committee was given the foundation’s contact information; Young said Rachel, the foundation’s development director, typically answers inquiries. Young encouraged potential applicants and referring agencies to email the foundation for guidance on eligibility and the application process.

The Monocacy Foundation presentation concluded with CCAC members thanking Young for the organization’s long-standing local support.","The Monocacy Foundation described its small-grant program, eligibility rules and common requests at the Special Education CCAC meeting; the foundation distributes roughly $50,000–$55,000 annually and accepts applications Aug. 15–Oct. 3.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

CCAC approves May minutes; committee to form subcommittees including new policy/legislative ad hoc

Partners for Success announces support groups, open house and IEP workshop series for families

FCPS special education officials describe EdPlan MD rollout, ParentConnect portal and program expansions

Monocacy Foundation outlines eligibility, limits and Oct. 3 grant deadline for Frederick County residents with disabilities