St. Mary’s County Public Schools To Host Free Virtual Workshop For Families Of Children With Disabilities

LEONARDTOWN, Md. — Parents and caregivers of children, teens and adults with disabilities in St. Mary’s County will have an opportunity to expand their problem-solving skills during a free virtual workshop on Tuesday, Feb. 24.

Titled “Thinking Outside the Box,” the workshop will run from 6 to 8 p.m. and is presented by Gary Shulman, M.S.Ed., a lifelong advocate for vulnerable families and children. The session is part of the St. Mary’s County Public Schools’ Partners for Success initiative.

During the workshop, Shulman will guide participants through creative strategies to address challenges, meet needs and manage crises within their families. Attendees will explore lesser-known programs, services and benefits, referred to as “treasures,” that can support families when traditional resources may be limited. Participants are encouraged to share their own experiences to benefit the group.

“Life can be difficult when caring for a child with a disability. This session will share valuable resources, encourage participants to celebrate their successes as well as their frustrations and difficulties, offer strategies for success and provide motivation to reach your goals, dream about the future and instill hope!” Shulman said in a Facebook post.

“We will share strategies for stress reduction and share concrete experiences and factors causing stress in our lives, caring for a child with a disability. Participants will share their favorite strategies for coping and hopefully learn some new options. Sharing is caring and that sharing can help us all.”

Shulman brings decades of experience to the session. He began his career working with children in an inclusive Head Start program in Brooklyn, New York, and later served as special needs and early childhood coordinator for the Brooklyn Children’s Museum for 10 years. For more than 24 years, he was the social services and training director for Resources for Children with Special Needs Inc., where he advocated for families of children with disabilities. You can read more about Shulman here.

Now semi-retired in Arlington, Virginia, Shulman continues his work as a private consultant and as commissioner for the Partnership for Children, Youth and Families. In addition to his national workshops, he shares his poetry with the aim of leaving the world “a better place one word at a time.”

The workshop is free, but registration is required. Interested participants can sign up online through the St. Mary’s County Public Schools portal. Register here.

If you have any questions, please contact Robyn Roberts at Partnersforsuccess@smcps.org.

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