LOCATE: Child Care Special Needs Service
800-999-0120
specialneeds@mdchildcare.org

Do you have a child with a special need? Do you need child care?

LOCATE: Child Care can help you find care that meets your child's needs!

Maryland Family Network (MFN) believes that all children are entitled to quality child care and it is the parent’s right to make an informed decision concerning their child care needs. To this end, MFN offers the LOCATE: Child Care Special Needs Service.

This service is:

  • Free - funded by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE)
  • Available to any family who has a child with a special need
  • Available for children from birth through age 21

Here are some examples of eligible children:

  • Any child receiving services through the Maryland Infant & Toddlers Program
  • Any child evaluated and receiving services referred by Child Find
  • Any child receiving special education services through a school system
  • Any child with an Individual Education Plan (IEP)
  • Any child terminated from a child care program

Any child with special needs or physical disabilities is eligible.
This includes (but is not limited to) the following:

  • Food Allergies (severe or life threatening)
  • Asthma (severe or life threatening)
  • Developmental Delays (not meeting milestones)
  • Autism, ADHD, ADD, Aspergers Syndrome
  • Down Syndrome, Learning Disabilities, Brain Injury
  • Seizure Disorder, Cystic Fibrosis, Cerebral Palsy
  • Behavior concerns or problems
  • Speech and language delays

How does the Special Needs Service help parents to find child care?

When a parent contacts LOCATE: Child Care, the LOCATE counselor will:

  • Discuss the child’s special need or disability
  • Discuss any services or accommodations needed while in child care
  • Discuss location, cost and other factors
  • Refer to child care providers or programs with special needs experience or
  • Refer to child care providers who will to work the with child’s special need
  • Discuss how to find quality child care

LOCATE counselors provide this service with respect for 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’s Degree in early childhood education or other related field and who have experience and/or training working with children who have special needs.

LOCATE: Child Care
800-999-0120
410-385-1042 (TDD for hearing impaired parents)
specialneeds@mdchildcare.org

Service is available Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Messages can be left during non-business hours.
LOCATE staff will return your call as soon as possible.

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