DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY  ADMINISTRATION 
EMPLOYMENT FIRST NEWSLETTER
December 2019 Monthly News and Updates
Employment First - A Look Back  


For many people the end of the year is a time of self-reflection and envisioning the future. It also provides a perfect opportunity to reflect on some of the national and statewide changes, over the last decade, that supported Employment First and the full community participation of people with developmental disabilities. 

2008: Developmental Disabilities Administration Employment First policy
The Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) engage stakeholders in an intensive strategic planning process, including strategies to improve employment outcomes for people with developmental disabilities in Maryland.  

The DDA believes that all people with developmental disabilities CAN work and contribute to their community when given the opportunity, training and support that build on people's strengths. Employment is the first option for all working age people who receive DDA services.

Under its ePolicyWorks initiative, ODEP launches an Employment First Community of Practice (CoP) comprised of more than 200 participants across 25 states. The CoP includes a monthly webinar series as well as a virtual work space where CoP participants can collaborate on policy initiatives.

2014: Maryland Employment Data Initiative 
The DDA and the State Employment Leadership Network create a robust data collection system to measure employment progress. The data system helps the DDA and stakeholders develop the support and infrastructure to fulfill the vision and goals of Maryland's Employment Services, improve participation in integrated employment and the quality of employment outcomes.

2014: Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)
WIOA is landmark legislation designed to strengthen and improve our nation's public workforce system and help Americans, including people with disabilities, obtain high-quality jobs and careers and help employers hire and retain skilled workers. 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced new rules for Medicaid-funded home and community-based services (HCBS), or "The Settings Rule." Each state has until March 2022 to fully follow these rules. The rule requires (in part) that all settings:
  • Be integrated in, and help provide full access to, the greater community
  • Improve self-determination and independence in making life choices
  • Be chosen by the individual from among residential and day options, including settings that are not only for people with disabilities (called "non-disability specific settings")
  • Provide an opportunity to work in a typical job in the community (called "competitive integrated employment")
2016: Ken Capone Equal Employment Act 
The Ken Capone Equal Employment Act (EEA) phases out the use of sub-minimum wages for Marylanders with disabilities by September 2020. The legislation made Maryland the second U.S. state to eliminate use of Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. Click HERE to read the 2019 phase out report. 

The DDA transformation includes changes to its Day and Employment Services with new services to support the varying needs of people. New services are set to phase in by July 2020. 
DDA Leadership Annou ncement  

Beginning Jan. 1, Staci Jones will serve as the Acting Director of Quality Enhancement and Kathleen Walker  will serve as the Acting Statewide Career and Employment Services Coordinator for the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA).
Staci Jones
Ms. Jones joined the DDA in March 2017 as the Statewide Career and Employment Services Coordinator. In the role, she has provided leadership and guidance for the Employment First initiative and Meaningful Day services. Ms. Jones has 27 years of experience the field of disability support services, having previously served as a direct support professional, quality assurance director and senior director for day and employment services. 

Ms. Jones is a graduate of the National Leadership Institute on Developmental Disabilities at the University of Delaware and a former member of the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council. Ms. Jones has a bachelor's degree in liberal studies and a master's degree in management. 
Kathleen Walker
Ms. Walker previously served as a Coordinator of Community Services with the Wicomico Health Department before joining the DDA as the Employment and Family Coordinator for the Administration's Eastern Shore Regional Office. As coordinator, she provided technical assistance on meaningful day services and final rule transformation to DDA service providers in the region. She is a graduate of the National Leadership Institute on Developmental Disabilities at the University of Delaware and an ambassador of Charting the LifeCourse.
Ms. Jones and Ms. Walker will collaborate to ensure continuity of the DDA's Employment First and Meaningful Day services .  Contact Staci Jones at  staci.jones@maryland.gov   a nd Kathleen Walker at  katheen.walker1@maryland.gov .
Disability  Employment Awareness Month: Frederick County Collaborative Video


The Frederick County Commission on Disabilities, the Human Relations Department of Frederick County Government, Scott Key Center, Community Living Incorporated and local businesses created a video to to celebrate disability employment awareness month. 

To watch the video, click HERE.   
Kessler Foundation 2020 Signature Employment Grant  



The Kessler Foundation Signature Employment Grant supports innovative solutions to increase employment for people with disabilities. For the 2020 grant, the Foundation has a special interest in projects that address the intersection of race, class, gender, disability and poverty within the framework of helping individuals with disabilities obtain employment or re-enter the job market following injury. 

For more information, please visit www.kesslerfoundation.org. The deadline for grant submissions is February 14, 2020. 
A Challenge to American Business - Including People with Disabilities in Talent Pipelines

The Ad ministration for Community Living (ACL) invites businesses to compete for cash prizes to help expand the recruitment and retention programs for workers wit h disabilities. ACL seeks innovative models to help businesses across the country reach a wider talent pool and to create more opportunities for employment for people with disabilities.

The Challenge: ACL believes that businesses are best suited to develop innovative solutions for hiring and retaining workers with disabilities. There are three phases of the competition with cash prizes awarded at each phase. The cash prizes serve as seed money to help refine, develop, test and implement concepts.

The Grand Prize is $100,000. All winners will travel to Washington, D.C., be mentored by experts in the field and promote their business innovation models. 

The Deadline: Proposal are due by February 14, 2020.

Visit  acl.gov/challenge for more information. 
WorkforceGPS Entrepreneurship Support and 2019 Resource Recap

WorkforceGPS is an online technical assistance website with workforce development resources with a information to support entrepreneurship. The information includes a toolkit with innovative practices and organizations that support entrepreneurship. Click HERE to access the material. 

2019 Resource Recap - One location to find all the employment resources of 2019. Topics include work-based learning, employer engagement, workforce development boards, entrepreneurship and licensing and credentialing. 
The DDA Educational Series Webinar Recordings


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