ABILITIES NETWORK INC

COMMUNITY AND EMPLOYMENT PARTNERS: COMMUNITY AND EMPLOYMENT PARTNERS' SERVICES ARE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT TO ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES TO LIVE AND WORK IN THEIR MARYLAND COMMUNITIES AS VALUED AND CONTRIBUTING CITIZENS. PROVIDING LIFE SKILLS THROUGH MENTORING AND TRAINING, 470 PEOPLE ARE CURRENTLY SUPPORTED THROUGH TEAM-DEVELOPED, PERSON-CENTERED PLANS TO IDENTIFY GOALS TO LOCATE, MAINTAIN AND GROW INDEPENDENCE IN THEIR COMMUNITY BASED JOBS, HOME AND/OR SYSTEMS OF RESOURCES TO ENSURE HEALTH, SAFETY AND HAPPINESS.

PROJECT ACT: PROJECT ALL CHILDREN TOGETHER WORKS WITH CHILD CARE PROGRAMS, OUT OF SCHOOL TIME PROGRAMS AND COMMUNITIES TO PROVIDE TRAINING, COACHING, AND MENTORING TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF CARE AND SUPPORT THE INCLUSION OF ALL CHILDREN IN THESE PROGRAMS. PROJECT ACT RECEIVES FUNDING THROUGH GRANTS FROM THE MARYLAND STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, MARYLAND FAMILY NETWORK, AND VARIOUS OTHER PRIVATE AND PUBLIC FUNDERS. AS THE CHILD RESOURCE CENTER OF BALTIMORE, HARFORD AND CECIL COUNTIES, CHILDCARE PROVIDERS AND PROGRAMS CAN RECEIVE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING IN CORE OF KNOWLEDGE AREAS THAT WILL ASSIST WITH KEEPING THEIR CREDENTIALS CURRENT TO MEET CHILDCARE LICENSING REQUIREMENTS AND LEARN HOW TO FULLY INCLUDE CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES IN CHILDCARE SETTINGS. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O )KNOWLEDGE AREAS INCLUDE: PROFESSIONALISM, CHILD DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH, SAFETY, AND NUTRITION, SPECIAL NEEDS, AND COMMUNITY. UNDER THESE CATEGORIES, PROJECT ACT DEVELOPS AND DELIVERS TRAINING MODULES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF CHILDCARE PROFESSIONALS AND TEACHERS. TRAININGS ARE PROVIDED AT PROJECT ACT'S SITE AND ON-SITE AT CHILD CARE PROGRAM LOCATIONS. AS A RESULT OF THESE TRAININGS, CHILDCARE PROFESSIONALS ARE MORE COMFORTABLE WITH WORKING WITH A VARIETY OF CHILDREN AND DELIVERING THE BEST SERVICES POSSIBLE TO ALL CHILDREN IN THEIR CARE. THESE TRAININGS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ON A FEE-FOR-SERVICE BASIS TO PROVIDERS OUTSIDE OF THE GRANT FUNDED COUNTIES. PROJECT ACT PROVIDES FREE ONSITE CHILD CONSULTATION SERVICES IN BALTIMORE, HARFORD AND CECIL COUNTY. THROUGH THIS PROJECT, PROJECT ACT CONSULTANTS PROVIDE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO CHILDREN WHO HAVE CHALLENGING BEHAVIORS AND ARE IN DANGER OF EXPULSION FROM THE CHILD CARE CENTER. THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO RETAIN THE CHILD IN CHILD CARE AND TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY RESOURCES TO CHILD CARE PROVIDERS, CHILDREN AND PARENTS. PROJECT ACT ALSO PROVIDES MENTAL HEALTH CONSULTATION TO THE Y OF CENTRAL MARYLAND'S HEAD START PROGRAMS IN BALTIMORE CITY AND BALTIMORE COUNTY. PROJECT ACT RECEIVES FUNDING TO IMPLEMENT INCLUSIVE CHILD CARE PROGRAMMING AND TO RAISE THE QUALITY OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FOR ALL CHILDREN. PARTNERS INCLUDE THE BALTIMORE COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM, THE MARYLAND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES COUNCIL AND OTHER FOUNDATIONS.