Governor O'Malley, County Executive Smith Meet with Children at Storyville
Celebrate Increased Funding in Infants and Toddlers Program
BALTIMORE, MD (July 25, 2008) – Governor Martin O’Malley and Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith today met with children and parents at Storyville, an interactive learning center for infants and toddlers at the Rosedale Public Library, to celebrate an increase in funding for the Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program. The visit was the second in a series of activities throughout the week to promote and recognize the importance of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a major milestone in ensuring that more than 54 million Americans receive the same basic freedoms – independence, equal access, freedom of choice and inclusion – afforded to every citizen in our country.
“We are deeply committed to the principles of the Americans with Disabilities Act and ensuring that each individual has the opportunity to make a positive difference,” said Governor O’Malley. “This week, as we join students, parents and our young ones in celebrating the passage of the Maryland Fitness and Athletic Equity Act, an increase in funding for the Infants and Toddlers program, and the Americans with Disabilities Act, we thank them for giving us all the courage to make our world a better place.”
The Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program provides early intervention services to more than 13,300 infants and toddlers (birth to three) with developmental delays and disabilities such as Autism, Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy. The 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. Their mission is to ensure that every child has a place in the community and the best possible chance to succeed.
“Over the past three years, I have worked together with leaders from both political parties and from jurisdictions across Maryland in support of an increase in the State’s base financial commitment to this important program,” said Baltimore County Executive Smith. “I want to thank Governor Martin O’Malley, who during this past legislative session demonstrated his commitment to the Infants and Toddlers Program by making this project a priority and increasing the much needed funding.”
Governor O’Malley and County Executive Smith announced a $4.6 million increase in funding to the Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program, bringing the total state funding to $10.4 million. Funding for the program, whose funding decreased by 23% per child since 2003, will now increase by 79% in FY 2009.
“There is no more prudent investment in the future than the one we make in the Maryland Infants and Toddlers program,” said Secretary Cathy Raggio, Maryland Department of Disabilities. “All of our little children deserve every opportunity to develop the skills they will need to succeed in the world.”
Governor O’Malley and County Executive Smith met with parents and children participating in activities in Storyville. Storyville is a specially designed, organized and free interactive play environment that supports and nurtures important school readiness skills. It is designed for young children ages birth to five and their parents and caregiver in Baltimore County, City and surrounding Counties to spend enjoyable time reading, playing and learning together. Children who are exposed to books, literacy activities and other culture experiences before they begin formal education have a better chance of success once they begin school. Both the Infants and Toddlers Program and Storyville place the child and the family at the center of early learning.
Earlier this week, Governor O’Malley joined hundreds of students and representatives in the disabilities community to celebrate the passage of the Maryland 2008 Maryland Fitness and Athletic Equity Act for Students with Disabilities. Tomorrow, Governor O’Malley will be the keynote speaker at the 18th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This landmark legislation was signed into law in 1990 and protects the civil rights of those with disabilities. In Maryland approximately 850,000 individuals or 18 percent of the total population are classified as disabled, according to the 2000 Census.
