Jul 25, 2008 5:47 pm US/Eastern
Funding Increased For Children With Disabilities
ROSEDALE, Md. (WJZ) ―
A group of parents and educators gathered Friday morning for an announcement which would help thousands of Maryland children.
As
Mike Schuh reports, millions of dollars will go to help children who got a rough start in life.
Most of the children who gathered at the Rosedale Library Friday had problems at birth.
The Nelson twins were born 11 weeks premature.
Mom Kelly Nelson says they got services from the county until they were three. They're now normal kids. In fact, they get straight As.
"They're doing great," said Nelson.
Kelly Nelson has spent a year lobbying government officials like the governor. Her work and that of like minded parents finally paid off.
Governor O'Malley and Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith announced an increase of almost $5 million in state funding for the Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program.
Baltimore County will get more than $700,000. Overall, it's nearly an 80 percent increase in funding.
"Overall, it allows these young children to become successful people," said Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith.
The Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program is an interagency partnership between the Maryland State Department of Education, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the Department of Human Resources, the Department of Disabilities and the Governor's Office for Children.
Each year, MITP provides early intervention services for more than 13,300 infants and toddlers (birth to three) with developmental delays and disabilities and their families.
Much of the money in Baltimore County will go to hire new teachers, physical and occupational therapists, assistants and coordinators.
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