Enhanced Services
In partnership with the Maryland State Department of Education and Local School Systems, enhanced services is provided to Deaf and Hard of Hearing students on both campuses of the Maryland School for the Deaf. Enhanced Services (ES) was established to meet the unique needs of students who have other moderate to severe disabilities that require above and beyond what is provided in our general education program. To be eligible for these services:
- The student must have multiple disabilities;
- The student must meet all of the general admissions criteria with exceptions made to the Intellectual Functioning criteria;
- The student's disability must result in a need for complete access to a visual environment throughout the day;
- MSD must determine that it can implement the student's IEP; and
- The student's Local School System (LSS) must be in agreement with the student's placement at MSD and agree to fund a portion of the additional supports the student receives at MSD.
Out-of-State students who meet MSD's criteria for admissions for students with multiple disabilities may be eligible for enrollment into the Program of Enhanced Services, the Program for Deaf Students with Emotional Disabilities, and the Services for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder at MSD. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will be developed by MSD and the out-of-state/state educational agency. This MOU will outline tuition and fees, instructional objectives, and other related items.
Enhanced Services is not available for students prior to age 3 and is not designed to meet the needs of students that require a custodial program.
The goal of the enhanced service program is to provide additional supports, deemed necessary, in order for the student to participate meaningfully in the academic and social environment and acquire skills needed to become as independent as possible. Developing student's independence in academic, social/emotional, vocational and functional life skills is a top priority. Efforts to fade these supports are done so to promote student's continued development of functional life skills and readiness for post-graduation life. Educational and behavioral strategies are used to develop student skills in these areas.
Daily supervision and program planning for a student receiving enhanced services is overseen primarily by the department Assistant Principal with support from the campus Principal and Director of Enhanced Services. Students receive instruction of the Maryland College and Career-Ready Standards in our general education classes, modified curriculum classes or alternative assessment classes. Classroom and course placement vary based on individual student needs. Participation in after school programs and MSD's Student Life Program are determined on a case-by-case basis.
For additional information regarding Enhanced Services at MSD, please contact:
Caitlin Blake, LGSW, BCBA, LBA | Director of Enhanced Services
Email: [email protected]
Caitlin Blake
Director of Enhanced Services
Columbia Campus
V: 410-696-3054
VP: 410-988-3179
Frederick Campus
V: 301-360-2064
VP: 240-575-2937