Mission
Founded in 2004, Kensington,
Maryland-based, Catholic Coalition for Special Education (CCSE)’s mission is to
advocate for and facilitate an appropriate, inclusive, high quality education
for students with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities in the
Washington D.C. and Baltimore region Catholic schools to enrich their lives,
schools, and the broader community.
What
We Do
CCSE services are free-of-charge to schools and families of
children with disabilities. Our programs are funded through the generous
support of individuals, foundations, corporations and sponsors who believe
children with disabilities should be able to attend Catholic schools.
CCSE’s Believe in Me! Grant Award Program supports the implementation of
special education instruction and programs in K-12 Catholic Schools in Maryland
and Washington D.C. by awarding seed grants to hire special educational
teachers and para-educators; to purchase specialized classroom equipment and
supplies and for professional development for school administrators and
teachers.
CCSE’s Pro-Bono Technical Assistance (TA) supports the implementation of special education services through
professional development workshops for school administrators and teachers as
well as through targeted assistance to meet the specific needs of individual
schools.
CCSE’s Tuition Assistance Grants for Studies in Special
Education encourages teachers and other professionals to pursue advanced
degrees in Special Education thereby helping to offset the chronic and
pervasive shortage of special education teachers which exists both regionally
and nationally.
CCSE’s Pro-Bono Family Advocacy and Support helps families of children with
disabilities navigate the frequently complex maze of services by providing
current information on programs and community resources. CCSE also provides
spiritual and practical support for parents on the journey to raising a child
with a disability through its Parents Group, individualized support and other
services and events.