Special Education Citizens’ Advisory Committee

“S.E.C.A.C.” Meeting Minutes

Thursday, June 1, 2017

9:00 am – 12:00 pm

At the Non-Profit Center in Westminster

Address:255 Clifton Boulevard, Westminster 21157

Our group is open to anyone & everyone!

Please join our group of parents and educators that are working together to help enrich the lives of our learners.

9:00 – 9:15Welcome & Introductions

Gretchen Rockafellow – President, SECAC

Introductions and Attendance

Nicholas Shockney, Director of Special Education

Celebrations

  • Graduations & Post – Secondary Program Certificate Ceremony
  • AccessibleCommunication Community Trainings
  • Special Needs Prom
  • Special Olympics

Updates

  • Parent Support Network
  • Addition of 2 new positions 2017 – 2018
  • Option of Facilitated IEP meetings 2017 -2018
  • Local Priority Funding Grant will allow for:
  • Continued personal development of staff in the Autism Program
  • Trauma / Information care for the Best Program
  • Personal Development of LFI teachers and Curricular Resource Development
  • Parent Support Network

9:15 – 10:00Parent Survey: Advocacy

How do we increase parent response rates to the Yearly MSDE Survey?

Nicholas Shockney, Director of Special Education

The Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey results are available on the website.

Carroll County had a low participation rate with a 9% completion rate, the State average was 11%

Options being considered to increase future participation are:

  • Utilization of MSDE Tool Kit
  • Email and in person requests to Principles to increase awareness of the survey
  • Email to all Special Educators with a request to follow up with parents
  • MSDE Survey link posted on CCPS website

Group members have expressed a desire to increase communication regarding the survey participation then to share findings in addition to any actions taken as a result of the survey

10:00 – 10:30Elections

Gretchen Rockafellow – President, SECAC

2017 – 2018 Executive Board

Jill Wagoner – Chair

Melissa Kaufman and Marjorie Gulden – Co- Vice Chair

Michelle Anderson – Secretary

Amy Livingston – Treasurer

This is the first ever entirely parent led Executive Committee

10:30 – 10:40Family Support Network

Jill Wagoner

New this year is the Parent Support Network a network for families with children with special needs supported by local nonprofits aimed in serving these families. This group is a support network in Carroll County Maryland to share ideas, resources and experiences and plan events for families with children that have special needs.

  • Meetings are held the first Monday of the month
  • Child care is provided
  • Different Topics and or Speakers
  • Time for fellowship

Learn more at

10:40 - 12:00Next Steps: Planning for the 2017-2018 School Year

All participants

Topics of interest:

  • Every Student Succeeds act and/or attorney to talk about parents’ rights in general and under the act
  • Transitioning from grade levels (Birth to Five to Elementary, Elementary to Middle…)
  • Transition to Adulthood (graduation requirements, certificate versus diploma, how it connects to younger students)
  • Strategic plan for Special Education/CCPS vision Plan
  • Vendor Fair
  • Bullying and Students with Special Needs
  • Childcare
  • Proper way to do inclusive education
  • Getting General Education Teachers on Board
  • Resources for Technology/Apps
  • Twice Exception Students

Minutes approved by Nicholas Shockney