Family Resource Days
Presented by The Talent Machine Company as Part of Our Penguin Project Partnership
Everyone is welcome to attend one or all of the events we have scheduled to provide information to parents, family members and friends of children with disabilities. We thank the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council, Fello, Project HEAL, The Parents’ Place of Maryland, and Maryland ABLE for their time as we launch this initiative as an extension of our partnership with The Penguin Project.
The sessions described below will be held from 10:15-11:15am at the MACC (Mid Atlantic Community Church), 2485 Davidsonville Road, Gambrills, MD.
February 7, 2026
Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council
Speaker: Chris Rogers, Director of Engagement
The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council is a statewide public policy and advocacy organization that creates change to make it possible for people with developmental disabilities to live the lives they want with the support they need.
Our speaker, Chris Rogers, joined the Council staff in 2023. As the Director of Engagement, he manages all internal and external communications for the Council, building and maintaining relationships with other organizations around the state that support people with developmental disabilities. Chris is a Montgomery County native and has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland.
Chris will join us to share an overview of the Maryland legislative bills they are tracking and monitoring. Each week the Council publishes legislative reports which outline bills that may impact people with developmental disabilities and their families. Chris will also share ways you can become more involved including information about the upcoming Council member recruitment.
February 14, 2026
FELLO
Speaker: Sara Pease, Assistant Director of Children, Youth, & their Families
Fello supports people with disabilities to live the lives they choose by creating opportunities, promoting respect and equity, and fostering inclusion in their communities.
Sara will share more about how Fello supports children, youth, and their families and provide information on their yearly Family Fund Grant.
February 21, 2026
Project HEAL at Kennedy Krieger Institute
Speaker: David Mervis, Staff Attorney with Project HEAL
Project HEAL is Maryland’s only comprehensive medical-legal partnership.
David will share more about community programs contained within the Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities at Kennedy Krieger and also cover information about SSI and SSDI benefits for people with disabilities.
*Please note change of venue for this resource information session with Project HEAL 2/21/2026: Epping Forest Clubhouse, 354 Severn Road, Annapolis, MD. Please email penguinproject@talentmachine.com for a gate access code.
February 28, 2026
The Parents Place of Maryland
Speaker: Audri Levering
The Parents’ Place of Maryland empowers families as advocates and partners in improving education and health outcomes for ALL children with disabilities, special healthcare needs, and those impacted by behavior health challenges.
As the transition coordinator for Parents Place, Audri specifically works with families on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. A former Speech-Language Pathologist, she treated patients in hospitals in Texas, Chicago, and Los Angeles, specializing in neurologic communication and swallowing disorders. Recently, Audri was the Chair of Queen Anne’s County Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee (SECAC). She is a member of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA).
Audri will join us to discuss transition planning. Specifically, we’ll dive into creating a vision for our child’s future, what our role is as parents/caregivers, and why now is the perfect time to start thinking about it.
March 7, 2026
Maryland ABLE
Speaker: Kelly Nelson
Kelly will share an overview of how ABLE accounts can help people with disabilities and their families save and invest for the future without jeopardizing federal, state, and local benefits such as SSI and Medicaid. Families will learn about as-advantaged savings and investment options as well as how to use the ABLE account to pay for qualified disability expenses. Join us to learn about the eligibility criteria, enrollment and account management process, and the features of a Maryland ABLE account such as the gifting page, prepaid card, mobile app and direct deposit of SSA funds.