Calvert Special Education Group Looks To Reach More Families In New School Year

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — Calvert County Public Schools’ Special Education Citizens’ Advisory Committee (SECAC) presented its annual report at the Aug. 13 Board of Education meeting.

SECAC’s goal is to facilitate a positive working relationship between parents and guardians of students with differing abilities and CCPS and promote disability awareness and understanding in the community. The group also aims to enhance services available for students with special needs and advocate for positive changes in special education services within the Calvert County Public School System and its community.

During the presentation, Ashton Felton, SECAC chairperson, discussed the many events SECAC held and participated in this year. First and foremost, the group held its flagship event, the SECAC awards, which honors special education staff members who go “above and beyond.”

In addition to the awards, the group held regular monthly meetings, special topic conversations and hosted events within the community. Community events serve both as a way for families to get to know each other and learn more about services, but also put SECAC out in the county and make it accessible to parents and caregivers.

Going into the next school year, Felton said the group wants to broaden its outreach and membership efforts, attend more local parent trainings and expand topics and presentations. It will also continue monthly meetings as scheduled and aim to include more special education staff, while increasing activities for kids and expanding its knowledge of local and state funding measures.

“We’ve done so much in the last year, but there is always more to do and more people to reach,” Felton said. “We’ve had a lot of outreach opportunities. We’ve been very excited about this and want to keep the momentum going.”