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The Special Needs Enhanced Counseling Service
The Maryland Committee for Children
(MCC) has incorporated as its philosophy the belief that all
children, regardless of disabilities, are entitled to accessible,
affordable and quality child care. MCC believes that it is
the parent’s right to make an informed decision concerning
their child care needs. As a result, MCC developed LOCATE:
Child Care Special Needs Enhanced Counseling Service.
Through a grant from the Maryland
State Department of Education, any parent in Maryland who
has a child or children with disabilities, ages birth through
21 years of age, may access The Special Needs Enhanced Counseling
Service. This service offers specialized one on one assistance and support
to parents in need of child care.
For the purposes of this service,
LOCATE: Child Care defines special needs as any disability; severe(life threatening) food allergies and/or
asthma; any child who has been dismissed from child care due
to behavior or emotional problems; any child receiving services
through the Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program; any child
receiving special education services through a school system;
and any child who is not meeting developmental milestones
such as speech and language delays.
How does the Special Needs Enhanced
Service help parents to find child care?
When a parent contacts LOCATE for
child care information, the LOCATE counselor will:
- Discuss the parent’s child care
preferences such as type of care, location, cost and other
pertinent variables;
- Discuss the child’s disability
and any services or accommodations needed;
- Explain the Americans with
Disabilities Act as it applies to child care;
- Explain the type of child care
available;
- Call providers or programs to
identify child care vacancies for the family and to explain
the child’s special need to the provider;
- Provide current information
on early childhood education, what to look for in quality
child care and best child care practices;
- Link the caller to other resources
such as the state Child Care subsidy program, the
Earned Income Tax Credit, and other programs and,
- Offer referrals to community
resources such as respite, mental health facilities, financial
assistance, job development programs, parent support groups,
and transportation.
LOCATE counselors provide this
service with respect to the parent’s right and ability to
choose the best care for his/her child. Service is provided
to callers by trained LOCATE counselors who are professionals
holding a minimum of a Bachelor Degree in early childhood
education or other related field and have experience and training
working with children who have special needs.
For referrals to regulated child
care, call:
LOCATE: Child Care
410-625-1113 (Baltimore Metro Area)
1-800-999-0120 (Outside the Baltimore
Area)
410-385-1042 (TDD)
LOCATE is available Monday through
Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Messages can be left during
non-business hours and LOCATE staff will return the call as
soon as possible or a parent can send an email to: specialneeds@mdchildcare.org.
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