Marcia D. Smith School

The Marcia D. Smith School operates residential education services 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. The day special education service operates eleven months per year, 211 days per year, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The school offers a non-diploma, non-graded program with emphasis on life skills, vocational training, functional academics, and community engagement. Individuals are supported in accordance with their individual needs as outlined in their IEP. Each individual receives instruction designed to enable the student to realize his or her potential to learn, communicate, develop social competency, and transition successfully into adult life in the community.

The facility in which the day educational program is based is designed to provide a variety of learning environments. While in the building, students will participate in instructional activities in the classrooms, recreation rooms, gymnasium, kitchen, art room, music room and media center.

Materials in the classroom include age-appropriate pre-vocational materials, computers, audio and visual technology, functional life skills materials and equipment, graded academic materials, and adapted manipulatives.

The residential educational program is located in a townhouse in the upper Montgomery County area in a community neighborhood. The residences for the school provide a living arrangement for two students with continuous staff support and supervision. The home provides a private bedroom for each student and is furnished and decorated to create a homelike environment. Each residence is equipped with materials and supplies to provide instruction on IEP goals and objectives in functional activities of daily living, social and behavioral skills, and leisure and recreational skills. The school also utilizes community sites, such as libraries, recreation facilities, stores, and internship work opportunities in local businesses to teach skills in community environments. Transportation to community sites is provided by public transportation, including Metro Access, or by a CSS-owned minivan.

The Marcia D. Smith School has the resources and experience to provide intensive individualized special education to students referred by the LEA for nonpublic day or residential service. The program is overseen by a Master’s level Education Director, with long term experience in the field. Each classroom, with a maximum of seven students, is staffed with a certified special education teacher, and assistant teacher, and instructional associates. The CSS psychology team provides behavioral support services, and includes a licensed psychologist, BCBA professionals, and behavioral mentors to promote plan implementation across all settings. Speech/language therapy is incorporated in the school services, and additional therapies are provided as specified in each child’s IEP.

For children enrolled in residential education, The Marcia D. Smith School coordinates the day school component with services provided during residential hours. Supports and services offered as part of residential education include hours after school, overnight hours, weekend days, and days off from the day school. Children enrolled in residential education attend the day education service with Marcia D. Smith School as well as the residential services as specified in a single comprehensive IEP. The CSS Community Life Services Director oversees the residential service component in collaboration with the Education Director of Marcia D. Smith School. Residential Instructional Associates and Overnight Instructional Associates provide on-site direct supervision and instruction in the residence seven days per week. Behavioral and nursing support services are provided in the residence, and an on-call emergency system is operated by CSS. Daily schedules are designed for each student to promote functional independent living skills, community engagement, and to explore interests and preferences. Family involvement is encouraged and facilitated with an open visitation policy. Each residence of the school is licensed by the Office of Health Care Quality and monitored by the state for quality and compliance with applicable regulations.

The Marcia D. Smith School works with each student and family to prepare for transition to adult services in Maryland. School services are coordinated with Autism Waiver, DDA, or other services being received by the child and family. CSS is experienced in the transition process, and can assist with the administrative process in addition to the person-centered plan content. Each student is encouraged to explore all available options for adult services and supported to design a schedule which supports a smooth transition.