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Assistant State Superintendent Marcella Franczkowski embarks on statewide communication tour

Smiling character with a cut-out heart on orange background that reads: MSDE Division of Early Intervention and Special Education Services, Family Support Services. THANK YOU FSS Coordinators, Local/State Leadership, Families

May 25, 2021:  SFY 2022 Annual IDEA Programmatic/Fiscal Grants Webinar

Marcella delivers the annual IDEA programmatic/fiscal grants webinar

Today, Assistant State Superintendent Marcella E. Franczkowski wrapped up the spring 2021 communication tour with the SFY22 Annual IDEA Programmatic/Fiscal Grants Webinar to local school system and public agency Directors of Special Education, Preschool Special Education Coordinators/Birth-K Supervisors, Infants and Toddlers Program Directors, and Finance Directors.

Ms. Franczkowski outlined the SFY 2022 Local Application for Federal Funds (LAFF) and the SFY 2022 Consolidated Local Implementation Grant (CLIG) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Focus was placed on the Division’s fiscal strategic planning for the allocation of funds for state fiscal years (SFY) 2021 through 2024, including:

  • Local Implementation for Results (LIR) Grants to implement Division Strategic Plan,
  • Federal relief funds (CARES, CRRSA, and ARP) for special education recovery services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and 
  • State general funds for the future implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future/Kirwan.

May 20, 2021:  DEI/SES Conversations for Solutions

Marcella and team speak virtually with groups of special ed directors and preschool education coordinators

Assistant State Superintendent Marcella Franczkowski was thrilled to host Conversations for Solutions today. This focused and collaborative opportunity brought together local school system Directors of Special Education and Preschool Special Education Coordinators to unpack and operationalize new legislation and discuss considerations for students with disabilities in virtual or blended schools and programs. Local leaders and the DEI/SES team engaged in conversations on these topics to provide feedback and share innovations! Special thanks to Val Emrich of the MSDE Division of Curriculum, Instructional Improvement, and Professional Learning for her presentation on Digital Learning standards to support all students in virtual and hybrid settings.

May 19, 2021: Marcella Franczkowski Speaks With the Special Education State Advisory Committee (SESAC)

Marcella virtually addresses the Special Education State Advisory Committee

Assistant State Superintendent Marcella Franczkowski met with the SESAC as parents of students with disabilities, advocates, stakeholders, and State agency partners held their final meeting of the 2020-2021 school year. The SESAC is established to advise and assist the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Early Intervention and Special Education Services in administering, promoting, planning, coordinating and improving the delivery of special education and related services to assure that all children with disabilities, three through 21 years of age, and their families have access to appropriate education and related services.  

May 18, 2021: Secondary Transition webinar, Maryland Transition Digital Portfolio Statewide Update

Marcella and team deliver a presentation.

Marcella Franczkowski, Assistant State Superintendent for the Division of Early Intervention and Special Education Services, delivered a Statewide update with the Secondary Transition team on the implementation of the Maryland Transition Digital Portfolio (MTDP) across local school systems and Public Agencies in Maryland. The presentation focused on the alignment of the required Secondary Transition Plan in the IEP and the creative opportunities to support student progress towards their post-school goals using the MTDP. Innovative and creative solutions with students, families, and community partners were spotlighted through the lens of various service delivery models. Three local school systems (Garrett, Carroll, and The SEED School of Maryland) shared their experiences and innovative implementation efforts as they incorporated the MD Transition Digital Portfolio into their local Secondary Transition system. 

May 17, 2021: Early Childhood Webinar: Maryland’s Blueprint for Education

Teacher working with children

Marcella Franczkowski partnered with Nykia Washington in the MSDE Division of Early Childhood to present information on an exciting early childhood opportunity to expand inclusive opportunities in prekindergarten programs. Made possible through Maryland’s Blueprint for Education, local school systems can apply for discretionary funding to expand prekindergarten programs to include 3 year-old children, with and without disabilities, in full-day sessions (6.5 hours). Additionally, families of preschool children with disabilities are exempt from meeting income eligibility requirements.  The availability of inclusive universal prekindergarten programs is the future, and this latest opportunity is a big step along the path to fully implementing this vision.

May 17, 2021: State Steering Committee Collaborative

Marcella Franczkowski addresses the Collaborative Advisory Committee.

The Collaborative Advisory Committee representing eight related and support services held their bi-annual meeting on May 17. Marcella Franczkowski, Assistant State Superintendent offered insight into recent legislation and special education related topics that impact children and youth with disabilities in Maryland, while committee chairs and members shared their latest efforts and work.  A spirit of innovation prevails, as this group of professionals continues to plan capacity-building activities into the summer and next school year.

May 17, 2021: Marcella Franczkowski Presents to Local Counselors

Marcella Franczkowski presents virtually to local counselors

Ms. Franczkowski shared the DEI/SES Strategic Plan, Moving Maryland Forward, with the Division’s regional contacts for technical assistance with local school system (LSS) Coordinators of School Counseling; along with the resources available to meet the new, different, and additional social, emotional, and behavioral needs of our students with disabilities. Also provided was information to support the military-connected family.

May 12, 2021: Marcella Franczkowski Presents to Local School Systems and Nonpublic Special Education Partners

Marcella Franczkowski virtually presents to more than 200 leaders.

Ms. Franczkowski presented the Annual Programmatic and Fiscal Technical Assistance Meeting of Nonpublic Special Education and Local School Systems to more than 200 leaders. She provided technical assistance on the FY 2021 reconciliation process, preparation for the FY 2022, and resources to support the ongoing collaborative work that supports students with disabilities who have intensive needs and are placed with our nonpublic school partners.

May 11, 2021: Marcella Franczkowski Presents a Statewide Webinar to Family Support Services Coordinators

Smiling character with a cut-out heart on orange background that reads: MSDE Division of Early Intervention and Special Education Services, Family Support Services. THANK YOU FSS Coordinators, Local/State Leadership, Families

Ms. Franczkowski spoke to more than 150 local school system and public agency Family Support Services (FSS) coordinators about the expanded role of families as students begin to return to classrooms with new and different needs and as school-family teams make instructional and IEP decisions to support students. Also shared were family engagement resources, and professional development materials to support leadership capacity to make collect and analyze information for data-informed decision making.

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