Due to the weather, the Task Force meeting on Kindergarten Readiness for Children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing that was originally scheduled for Thursday, February 6, 2020 has been postponed to the snow date, February 27th (tentatively). Below is the tentative agenda. Further information about the meeting location and time will be forthcoming.

Tentative Meeting Agenda

Desired Outcomes: By the end of this session, we will have deepened our understanding of what is being done in one or more other states and the existing State of Maine data parameters and scoped our work based upon our new learning.

Getting Grounded

• Welcome, Context Setting, Introductions, Agenda Review

Carole Martin, Task Force Facilitator

Learning from an Established and Successful Program – California

• Clarifying Questions
• Takeaways for Our Work

Julie Rems-Smario, Education Program Assistant in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Unit of the California Department of Education.

Overview of Existing State of Maine Data Parameters

• Clarifying Questions
• Takeaways for Our Work

Erin Frazier, Maine DOE Director of Special Services Birth through 20
Shawn Collier, Maine DOE Data Research Coordinator
Roy Fowler, Maine DOE Coordinator of Child Developmental Services

Wrapping Up

• Next Steps: What, Where

Carole Martin, Task Force Facilitator

For more information contact Karen Kusiak at Karen.Kusiak@maine.gov.

Maine Department of Education has awarded $25.2 million in School Revolving Renovation Fund (SRRF) loans to 28 SAUs. The loans will be used to complete 105 health, safety and compliance projects at 62 schools, including structural roof repairs, indoor air quality improvements, ADA upgrades, hazardous material removal, life safety renovations, and security enhancements. A portion of each loan is considered a grant and is forgiven, while the remaining balance of the loan is paid back at a zero percent interest rate.

The complete list of approved projects can be viewed at https://www.maine.gov/doe/schools/facilities/srrf.

For additional information about the SRRF program please contact Ann Pinnette at 624-6885 or ann.pinnette@maine.gov.

Middle School Career and Technical Education (CTE) provides an opportunity for Maine middle school students to experience hands on learning, workplace skills, and career exploration. CTE empowers them to explore interests and discover activities that are inspiring. It allows students to experience potential career pathways, and gives them an awareness of the many options that are available.

In June of 2017, the legislature enacted law to expand CTE opportunities by requiring Maine schools to provide access to developmentally appropriate CTE for middle school students (grades 6-8). Along with this legislation, there was an opportunity for CTE schools to apply for grant funding to pilot a Middle School CTE experience. In the fall, the DOE opened the first round(Pilot A) of grants; 14 CTE schools applied and received funding to pilot a Middle School CTE experience. The second round(pilot B) application is now available for CTE centers and regions to apply.

The MS-CTE Pilot B Grants application must be submitted to the Maine Department Of Education by February 28, 2020.  The grant must be expended or encumbered by June 30, 2020.  Funds may be used in the summer and during the 2020-2021 school year, with proper obligation.   (Obligation – Amount representing orders placed, contracts awarded, services received, and similar transactions during an accounting period that will require payment during the same, or a future, period).

Through the current pilots, middle school students are discovering the many opportunities that are available to them in CTE! These pilots have included CTE camps, in-school MS-CTE experiences, professional development opportunities for Middle School and CTE teachers, hands on CTE tours, as well as after school CTE programming.

The Middle School CTE programs rely on collaboration between the CTE centers, regions and the middle schools. CTE centers and regions have oversight of the CTE programming, and can assist with resources. The middle schools and CTE centers and regions are working together to design programs that meet the needs of the students, and provide an engaging learning experience. Alignment with the middle school CTE standards is required for all programs. These standards are in draft form, and are being reviewed and revised through the implementation of the current pilot programs. The current draft standards can be found here.

For additional information please visit our new web site at https://www.maine.gov/doe/learning/cte/schools/middleschool or contact Margaret Harvey at margaret.harvey@maine.gov

Changes to Maine statutes, enabling some minors to consent for health services, went into effect this year.  LD 1275, An Act to Support Access to Health Services for Homeless Youth in Maine, amended Title 22, Chapter 260 to make it easier for youth who are no longer living with or dependent upon a parent or guardian to access medical, dental, mental, and other health services.

Previously, the laws on minor consent required youth to be living independently for at least 60 days and be independent of parental support.  With no clear indication of how youth were to verify their status, it was often difficult for them to exercise this right when they needed care.

With the passage of LD1275, the 60 day requirement has been eliminated and there are specific ways that youth can demonstrate their independent status.  These include:

1. A signed, written statement from an SAU’s homeless liaison, counselor, or school social worker affirming that the youth is living separately from parents/legal guardians and is independent of parental support;
2. A statement from a director or designee from a governmental or nonprofit agency that provides services to homeless individuals;
3. A statement from an attorney representing the minor on any legal matter;
4. A copy of a protection from abuse complaint;
5. A copy of a temporary or final order of protection against the minor’s parent or legal guardian;
6. Proof that the youth has filed a petition for emancipation.

A health care practitioner who obtains such documentation is now immune from liability for the act of providing services to a minor, based on that assurance.

Schools should be aware that counselors, social workers, and homeless liaisons may receive requests for such letters from students when they are seeking outside care.  School based medical, dental, and mental health practitioners should be prepared to accept one of the above forms of verification in lieu of parent/guardian consent.  There is no minimum age limit connected with this right.