On April 11, an article co-authored by Mirian Ofonedu, PhD, LCSW-C, director of training for the MCDD, was published in the Eye on Psi Chi magazine. “Promoting Excellent Psychological Research and Practice Among Scholars in West Africa,” discusses the inaugural West African International Collaborative Conference on Psychology, which was held in November 2023.
Also on April 11, Cindy Ibarra, MCDD administrative services coordinator, hosted an exhibitor table at the Baltimore County Public Schools Special Education Resource Fair. Ibarra gave brochures, fact sheets and other items to families and professionals seeking information about the MCDD.
On April 16, Diogo Fortes, , former MCDD trainee, presented his research under the supervision of Dr. Ofonedu at the Gary W. Goldstein Research Symposium and Trainee Poster Day. His poster, “Faith Community Learning Collaborative for Faith Leaders: An Inclusive Faith Support Ambassador Program,” was awarded Best Advocacy Poster. Additionally, Fortes was accepted to present his research during the Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health (AIR-P) Research Day at Autism CARES Meeting in July.
Also on April 16, the MCDD held its quarterly Community Advisory Council (CAC) meeting. MCDD staff members and trainees attended the meeting, as did participants from various community organizations and state agencies that serve people with intellectual, developmental and other disabilities.
On April 17, Ibarra hosted an exhibitor table at the Broadneck High School Wellness Fair in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. The MCDD was one of 30 exhibitors at the event, and highlighted its resources and services aimed at promoting mental health and wellness among students.
On April 18, Dr. Ofonedu gave a presentation, “Fostering Meaningful Inclusion and Belonging at Work and in Life Spaces: Why It Matters and How to Prioritize It,” at the Bay Area Center for Independent Living in Salisbury, Maryland. This presentation was part of the MCDD’s Annual Learning Series.
Also on April 18, Ibarra and Tracy Wright, People On the Go (POG) deputy director and director of training, hosted an exhibitor table at the Claremont High School Transition Fair.
On April 20, several MCDD staff members participated in Kennedy Krieger Institute’s ROAR for Kids, a 5K race, fun walk/roll and family fun festival that was held at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore to raise funds for Kennedy Krieger. Christopher Mason-Hale, BSW, MCDD community advocate, represented the MCDD by hosting an exhibitor table at the family fun festival. The MCDD raised just over $600 to benefit Project HEAL.
Also on April 24, Mason-Hale and Maureen van Stone, Esq., MS, assistant vice president at Kennedy Krieger and director of the MCDD, gave a presentation, “The Complexity of Language Within the Disability Community: Why Language Matters,” to the Institute’s philanthropy, marketing and public relations teams. The presenters explored the changing landscape of disability language, emphasizing the importance of understanding disability context, culture and identity when interacting with the community. Mason-Hale and van Stone also gave the presentation on May 9 to the Institute’s accessibility team members.
On April 24, van Stone joined colleagues Leslie Seid-Margolis, JD, managing attorney at Disability Rights Maryland, and Rachel London, Esq., executive director of the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council, for the signing of the bill, “Education - Access to Attorneys, Advocates, and Consultants for Special Education Program Fund” by Governor Wes Moore. The signing occurred at the State House in Annapolis, Maryland.
On April 24, Mallory Finn Legg, Esq., director of Project HEAL (Health, Education, Advocacy, and Law), gave a presentation to Towson University special education undergraduate interns about common legal issues in special education cases.
On April 25, Kristine Nellenbach, MS, program coordinator for the Resource Finder, hosted an exhibitor table for the MCDD at the City Schools 2024 Transition, hosted by the Office of Special Education of Baltimore City Public Schools. Students and families attended the expo after a morning of student performances, guest speakers and entertainment.
Also on April 25, Mason-Hale and Tyler Cochran, Esq., former staff attorney for Project HEAL, gave a presentation, “Examining Structural Violence through an Intersectional Disability Justice Lens,” for the MCDD’s Annual Learning Series.
On April 27, Nellenbach and James Orman, POG program coordinator, participated in a panel discussion, “Putting the Pieces Together on Autism.” The event was hosted by the Epsilon Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority in collaboration with Baltimore City Recreation and Parks.
On May 1, Project HEAL hosted an eviction prevention lunch-and-learn session for Kennedy Krieger staff members and trainees. The presentation, “Renting in Baltimore: Protecting Patients’ Housing Rights,” was given by the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law Eviction Prevention Clinic staff and student attorneys.
On May 2, Mason-Hale and van Stone attended the Leadership Maryland’s Emerging Leader opening reception at the Banneker-Douglass Museum in Annapolis, Maryland.
On May 3, Mason-Hale and van Stone attended the eighth annual Hats & HorsesTM Benefiting Kennedy Krieger Institute. The funds raised will support the creation of an interdisciplinary clinic at Kennedy Krieger’s Center for Development and Learning that will offer patients and their families comprehensive evaluations by a psychologist and a neurodevelopmental medicine specialist in a single visit.
On May 4, Ibarra hosted an exhibitor table at Kennedy Krieger’s Adaptive Sports, Recreation and Community Resource Fair. Event attendees had the chance to discover adaptive sports and recreational activities throughout the greater Baltimore area.
On May 4, the MCDD sponsored a digital advertisement for the Notre Dame Preparatory School’s 150th Anniversary Gala to raise disability awareness in that community.
On May 5, Ibarra and Wright exhibited tables at Adaptive Maryland Day, which had over 400 attendees. Hosted by Promise Landing Farm, the event featured adaptive sports, hands-on activities and a wealth of community resources and programs available to people with disabilities.
On May 6, van Stone was inducted into The Daily Record’s Circle of Excellence for winning Maryland’'s Top 100 Women for the third and final time. Legg supported van Stone at the awards ceremony held at the Lyric in Baltimore, Maryland.
On May 8, Kennedy Krieger hosted the Women’s Financial Wellness Conference, with van Stone serving on the planning committee. The event aimed to empower women by providing them with essential financial knowledge and resources.
On May 10, an article co-authored by Dr. Ofonedu was published, “Religious Coping and Delinquent Behaviors: Moderated Mediation Roles of Religion Affiliation and Prosocial Moral Reasoning.” The study explores the relationship between religious coping and delinquent behaviors among Nigerian adolescents. It found that greater religious coping is associated with higher prosocial moral reasoning, which in turn predicts fewer delinquent behaviors, with religious affiliation moderating these effects. These findings suggest that interventions targeting prosocial moral reasoning could help reduce delinquent behaviors, especially among Muslim youth.
Also on May 10, a blog authored by Kendall Murphy, Esq., staff attorney for Project HEAL, was posted on the National Center for Disability, Equity, and Intersectionality website. The article, “City of Grants Pass v. Johnson,” discusses a case regarding homelessness in Oregon.
On May 11, Mason-Hale hosted an exhibitor table at the Montgomery Blair High School Special Education Family Resource Fair. There was a great turnout, with over 80 people visiting the MCDD’s table to learn about the department’s programs.
On May 15, Legg gave a presentation about military families and other hot topics in special education to Kennedy Krieger’s behavioral psychology department staff members.
Also on May 15, Legg gave a Project HEAL overview presentation to the Parents’ Place of Maryland staff members.
On May 21, the revised and expanded edition of “The Parents' Guide to Psychological First Aid” was published. Dr. Ofonedu authored a chapter, “Learning Differences,” which discusses tips to help parents of children with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions support their child in reaching their full potential.
On May 21, van Stone organized a tour of the Fairmount Campus of the Kennedy Krieger Schools Program for Wicomico County community leaders. Additionally, the group met with Kennedy Krieger leaders and staff members to discuss potential future partnership opportunities.
Also on May 21, Nellenbach gave a virtual Resource Finder overview presentation to family members and individuals with autism who belong to the Autism Society of Baltimore-Chesapeake general session support group.
On May 22, Mason-Hale hosted an exhibitor table at the William S. Baer School resource fair. The event attracted many attendees, providing an excellent opportunity to share information about the MCDD’s programs and resources.
On May 23, Dr. Ofonedu gave an Annual Learning Series presentation, “Suicidal Behaviors in People with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities: Strategies for Successful Care.” This workshop aimed to enhance participants’ understanding and capabilities in identifying risk and protective factors, recognizing warning signs and addressing suicidal behaviors in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
On May 29, Nellenbach and Mason-Hale gave a virtual MCDD overview presentation to staff members of The League for People with Disabilities.
On May 30, Nellenbach and Orman hosted exhibitor tables at The Arc Maryland State Convention. The event brought together advocates, professionals and community members dedicated to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
On June 3, Kennedy Krieger collaborated with Special Olympics Maryland to launch the Child and Family Health Intervention pilot program. The event featured the Healthy Young Athletes Pediatric Screening, which included stations for children to receive developmental observation, physical exam, vitals check and review of information. Mason-Hale assisted with the developmental observation, which provided information, tools and referrals to local community healthcare resources, related providers and services.
On June 6, Dr. Ofonedu gave an Annual Learning Series presentation, “Cultural Humility and Working with Culturally Diverse Populations: Applying the Family as Host Model for Culturally Responsive Practice.” This workshop provided attendees with insights on implementing the Family as Host model to enhance their ability to build stronger and more inclusive relationships with culturally diverse families and communities in their work. She delivered this presentation again on June 24, sponsored by the Wicomico County Health Department in collaboration with the MCDD.
From June 10–21, Sophie Ehrich shadowed MCDD staff and trainees. Ehrich is a rising senior at Marymount High School, an independent all-girls Catholic school located in Los Angeles, California. Ehrich is pursuing her passion for improving blood cancer research and supporting patients battling the disease through her work with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. After college, Ehrich hopes to attend law school and pursue a legal career to help others.
On June 13, Jennifer Falter, Esq., Project HEAL staff attorney, co-presented an Annual Learning Series presentation, “Transition Planning and Preparing for the Future for Students with Disabilities: Strategies for Positive Outcome.”
On June 13, Dr. Ofonedu gave a presentation in Boston, Massachusetts, “SPARK, Autism and Research: Applying the Family as Host Model for Culturally Responsive Practice.” Additionally, Dr. Ofonedu delivered a presentation for the Walk-a-Mile session, “Walk-a-Mile Navigating Autism Research and Treatment Services: Experiences of Diverse Families of Children with Autism.”
On June 14, Mason-Hale again participated with Kennedy Krieger and Special Olympics Maryland for the Child and Family Health Intervention program. He contributed to the Young Healthy Athletes Pediatric Screening, assisting with developmental observation and other essential stations.
On June 20, Nellenbach gave a virtual Resource Finder overview presentation to family members of the Celebrate Ability community.
Also on June 20, van Stone and Murphy gave an Annual Learning Series presentation, “Designing IEPs for Children Exposed to Trauma and Using IEP to Address the Effect of Trauma.”
On June 22, Mason-Hale exhibited at the William S. Baer Special Education Resource Fair. He handed out brochures and fact sheets, providing valuable information about the services and resources available to support individuals with disabilities.