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Monthly Employment First Webinar Series Learn more about Community Learning Services and Employment Customization and Discovery Join us onFriday, August 21, 10:00­ AM – 11:30 AM Click on link below to register Register NOW for the Webinar Learn more about these two new funding sources and determine if they are right for your agency. Research, literature and other resources will be shared so you can prepare you for creating your agency model and program service plan. Learn how to create a model for your agency, and how to apply for a license to provide this support!

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Deputy Secretary Bernie Simons (DDA) and Secretary Carol Beatty (MDOD) invite you to a day- long gathering of interested stake holders to refocus Maryland on Employment Outcomes for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

This kick off event will conclude with event participants signing on to committees that will be responsible for creating the MD Employment First Work Plan. It is the goal of DDA to work with and support 9 active work groups focused on specific components of a highly performing Employment First state.

If you would like to be a part of shaping policy, defining best practice, creating a framework for technical assistance and training, creating strategic goals, and setting parameters for how to communicate about Employment First in MD, then this event is for you.

DDA will give each of these targeted committees the resources and information they need to have the Maryland Employment First Work Plan completed for an October 2015 unveiling during National Employment of People with Disabilities Month.

If you have any questions, or would like to request a special accommodation, please contact Karen Lee by email karen.lee@maryland.gov or Ms. Nicole Smith, by email nicolec.smith@maryland.gov or by phone at (410) 767-5600

When:  Monday July 13, 2015 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM EDT

Where:

MD Dept. of Transportation
7201 Corporate Center Drive
Hanover, MD 21076
Driving Directions

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April 2015:

​The Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)

is seeking input from you on a report titled:

“Targeted Case Management/Coordination of Community Services in Maryland”

Public comment and input can be submitted to:

wfb.dda@maryland.gov or by calling 1-844-253-8694.

Background:

The DDA hired a consultant to conduct a review of the functions and processes of Targeted Case Management, known as Coordination of Community Services (CCS) in Maryland, and to make recommendations for improvements. The consultants conducted the review of DDA’s CCS system through individual listening sessions and reviewing a wide range of documents.  This project included facilitating discussions with a variety of stakeholders including self-advocates, families, and CCS agencies to hear from those most directly impacted by the services.  The project also included reviewing current federal rules, guidelines, regulations, performance measure, and data system.

The report reflects feedback obtained with consideration of best practices employed by states nationally on supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and in consideration of the new federal final Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) regulation.

Please share your input and recommendations by Friday, May 1, 2015.

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President Ronald Reagan declared March to be Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in 1987, urging “all Americans to join me in according to our fellow citizens with such disabilities both encouragement and the opportunities they need to lead productive lives and to achieve their full potential.”

Now, nearly 30 years later, Service Coordination continues to work to support individuals with disabilities. Each day, service coordinators listen to the wants and needs of individuals we support while helping to guide each person towards his or her goals in life. Service Coordination celebrates developmental disability awareness this March and welcomes you to show your support. Getting involved is as easy as mentioning Developmental Disabilities Month on your social media accounts, writing a blog about your life or just talking with friends about why disability awareness is important to you. Learn more about Developmental Disabilities Month here.

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Service Coordination, Inc. (SCI) has provided resource coordination services for more than 32 years. Our experience has taught us that our service coordinators are most beneficial to the individuals we support when they are out in the community, directly engaged with people. Service coordinators prove to be most valuable in offering supports when they are actively present in the places where individuals work and/or live.

Over the last few years, we have identified and implemented technological advancements that allow our service coordinators to better perform traditional office duties while out in the community. An added outcome of this evolution in working style is that we now have a decreased need for office space. Instead of sometimes being located at a nearby office, service coordinators will now be out in the community even more, where they are most helpful.

Because of technological advances that empower our newfound mobile working abilities, we have identified several area office spaces as being unnecessary as we evolve. Service Coordination is now undergoing office consolidations and will soon operate under a Regional office system, with main offices in the Central and Western Regions, as outlined by The Developmental Disabilities Administration. SCI will retain satellite offices in far-reaching areas of the state of Maryland.

Changes and evolutions in our work are always directed by the wants and needs of our community and we will continually adapt to best suit those who count on SCI for resource coordination services. In addition, by consolidating offices into Regional areas, we are able to reallocate expenses for our organization while lessening our carbon footprint of excessive energy costs.

Services and service coordinators for individuals will remain the same. Some contact information for Service Coordination will change and this is located at ServiceCoord.org

Maryland is committed to making voting accessible to all voters. Almost all of Maryland’s polling places are accessible to voters with disabilities on election day.

Is my polling place accessible?

Use the voter look-up website to find out if your polling place is accessible. If your polling place is not accessible, there will be a list of the reasons why. This may help you decide if the polling place is accessible for you.

Is the touchscreen voting unit accessible?

The touchscreen voting unit is accessible to most voters. Using a headset and keypad, blind voters and voters with low vision are able to vote by listening to the ballot selections and by using the keypad. You may also choose to use the high contrast and large print functions of the voting unit. The touchscreen voting unit can also be used by voters who need to sit while voting.

If you want use the audio ballot, ask an election judge. Election judges will answer questions and help you, if needed.

Can someone help me vote?

Yes. You can bring someone to help you vote as long as that person is not:

• Your employer or an agent of your employer
• An officer or agent of your union
• A challenger or watcher

Or, you may choose to have two election judges help you.

The person helping you must sign the Voter Assistance Form and cannot suggest how you should vote.

For more information, visit: http://www.elections.state.md.us/voting/accessibility.html

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As a Marylander Voter, you have the right to:

Vote in an accessible polling place.  Call your local board of elections or check on-line at http://www.elections.state.md.us/voting/accessibility.html to find out if your polling site is accessible to you.  The on-line polling site locator will also confirm that you are registered.  To request an accessible polling site contact your local board of elections by close of voter registration.

Vote at an early voting center in the county where you live.  To find an early voting center near you, go to:  http://www.elections.state.md.us/voting/early_voting.html

Vote by absentee ballot.  Any registered voter may request to vote by absentee ballot.  To get an application and to check deadlines, go to: http://www.elections.state.md.us/voting/absentee.html

Cast a private and independent ballot.

Receive voting assistance if needed.  You may ask an election judge for help, or bring any other person to help you except your employer or union official.

Cast a ballot on an accessible voting machine.  You may select a large print or high contrast ballot.  You may also request an audio ballot, which requires the use of headphones and a keypad.  The angle of the voting machines can also be adjusted for better access.

Cast a ballot as long as you are in line when the polls close.

Vote a provisional ballot if your name does not appear on the voter registration list or there is a question about your eligibility to vote.

It is a good idea to bring identification with you.  Federal law requires that if you registered to vote by mail you must provide identification before voting for the first time in Maryland.

Voter Hotline

To report voting concerns that may be related to a disability (such as access to a polling place, voter assistance, or problems using a voting machine) contact: 

Maryland Disability Law Center at 410-727-6352, ext. 2601; 800-233-7201, ext. 2601; TTY 410-235-5387

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From the October issue of The Exchange. Read the full edition here.

Important Reminder: CMS Community Rule (Regulation) Update:

The Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) has developed three surveys to get input from three groups: (1) participants/caregivers, (2) case managers/support planners/resource coordinators, and (3) residential and assisted living providers. Links to each survey are below:

1) Survey for Participants or Caregivers 
*The purpose of this survey is to collect information about a participants’ plan of service and settings where they receive services.
2) Survey for Case Managers/Supports Planners
*The purpose of this survey is to collect information about participants’ service plans and the process used for writing those plans.
3) Survey for Residential Providers
*The purpose of this survey is to collect information about residential providers’ settings and services.

You may also request a paper copy of the survey by emailing dhmh.hcbssetting@maryland.gov. DHMH has requested the surveys be completed no later than Friday, October 31, 2014. If you have questions regarding the surveys, please contact MaryAnn Mood at mamood@hilltop.umbc.edu or 410-455-6395.

Additional information regarding the CMS Community Rule (Regulations) is located on the Department’s Medicaid and Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) websites as follows:

• Medicaid – Community Settings Final Rule
• DDA – HCBS Transition Plan

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS REGARDING THE CMS COMMUNITY RULE (REGULATIONS), PLEASE CONTACT REJIE ABRAHAM OR MEGAN MOORE AT DHMH.HCBSSETTING@MARYLAND.GOV OR BY PHONE AT 410-767-6882.

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