A free resource expo and conference will be held on Saturday, March 12, for Harford County teens and young adults with special needs who are transitioning from high school to adulthood, higher education, and the workforce. Young people, family members, educators, and other professionals are welcome to attend the 2016 Expo for Transitioning Youth planned from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Bel Air High School, 100 Heighe Street, Bel Air.
“Many young people have questions about how they’re going to achieve their goals,” said Rachel Harbin, director of the Harford County Department of Community Services Commission on Disabilities. “This conference will help individuals with special needs and their families develop a plan for the future using available community resources that they may not know exist.”
The Expo for Transitioning Youth is a biennial event presented by the Harford County Department of Community Services Commission on Disabilities; Harford County Public Schools Department of Special Education; The Arc Northern Chesapeake Region; the Abilities Network; the Maryland Department of Education Division of Rehabilitation Services; the Maryland Office on Mental Health; and The IMAGE Center.
Workshops for 2016 will include:
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Work Incentives – outlining information about how individuals with disabilities may work and still qualify for cash benefits and medical insurance.
- College 101 – designed to help students and their caregivers apply for college and navigate the challenges and opportunities of higher education.
- So You Want to Drive? – information on obtaining a driver’s license in Maryland when certain medical conditions are present.
- Getting Out There – a workshop about expanding social opportunities and personal interests to create a full, rich life.
Additional workshops will offer information on the Developmental Disability Administration (DDA), the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS), estate planning, and mastering your money after high school. A complete listing of workshops and their descriptions can be found online at www.harfordcountymd.gov/services/disabilities.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet with over 40 exhibitors and representatives from vendors, agencies, organizations, and support groups.
Registration for this free conference is strongly encouraged and is available online by visiting www.harfordcountymd.gov/services. To register by phone or to request a printed registration brochure for participants, please contact the Department of Community Services at 410-638-3389.
The Harford County Commission on Disabilities was established in 1995 to serve as the voice of the disability community in Harford County. Members are appointed by the county executive, with the approval of the County Council.
The Harford County Department of Community Services works daily to meet the needs of our seniors, youth, persons with disabilities, and those struggling to overcome addiction. The Department works with federal, state, local, and private agencies to ensure our county continues to evolve and remains dedicated to providing the best possible services for our citizens and community.
