National Disability Employment Awareness Month

This National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we want to showcase how the positive impact of work can transform lives by highlighting people’s employment journeys and the services that helped them achieve success.

Meet Rachael, a determined worker who started her employment journey with Bello Machre doing janitorial work directly for the agency. After 1.5 years in that position, Rachael set her sights on new horizons. Guess what happened? She recently applied to a local grocery store’s bakery department and got the job! Her perseverance and passion are truly inspiring. Congratulations, Rachael!

#NDEAM #NDEAM2023

Federal Program Updates

DDA Policy Reminder

The DDA is seeking public input on the following proposed policies posted to the DDA’s Policy Stakeholder Input webpage: 

• Transportation Services

You can access the proposed policy here: DDA Policy Stakeholder Input Dedicated Webpage. 

The public is invited to provide comments from October 13, 2023 through October 27, 2023.

Please submit comments electronically to wfb.dda@maryland.gov or mail them to the DDA Federal Program Unit at 201 West Preston Street, 4th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201. Please include in the subject line of your email, ‘Input on Behavioral Support Services Policy.’

If you have questions or need any accommodations, please reach out to Danielle Coles, DDA Federal Programs, at Danielle.Coles1@maryland.gov.

Program Updates

The Quality Advisory Committee Council Needs You!

Apply here

ePREP Reminders!

Are you preparing to transition to LTSSMaryland for billing? Have you already transitioned? No matter what group you belong to, this reminder is for you!

To avoid payment delays, providers should ensure any NEW ePREP application includes a pay-to address that matches EXACTLY with:

• Comptroller address on file
• W-9 submitted with the application

What does ‘EXACTLY’ mean? This includes all spelling (including agency name), abbreviations, and the +4 of your zip code (e.g., “RD” vs. Road, 99577 vs. 99577-0727).

For EXISTING ePREP accounts, providers should check the pay-to addresses for each account in ePREP and make any necessary updates using the supplemental application function. If your agency has moved or is planning to move to a new administrative site, please contact your Regional Office and supply them with an updated W-9 that reflects the new address. Remember to also complete an ePREP application for the move as well!

If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact Leslie Thompson, DDA Assistant Director of Programs, at leslie.thompson@maryland.gov. 

The Employment 1st Committee Needs You!

Employment First page

Updates to LTSSMaryland

The Maryland Department of Health has made improvements to LTSSMaryland that will make it easier to make sure that people are getting the right services at the right time and in the right place. 

Updates include:

• Improvements to auto-approval reports for CCSs

CCSs will now be able to see submission dates for auto-approved PCPs via improvements to the ‘CCS All PCP Report’ and ‘Annual PCP status’ reports. 

• Provider Portal - Resubmit Pathway for Rejected and Paid Services

An update to the Provider Portal will allow non-EVV services to be resubmitted to MMIS if previously rejected. It will also allow LTSSMaryland Provider Billing Support Office (PBSO) staff to resubmit paid services on the provider’s behalf to update the rate on a paid claim.

LTSSMaryland Provider Billing Training Sessions for Non-EVV Service for November 2023

The DDA is holding LTSSMaryland Provider Billing training sessions for non-EVV services. For those slated to go live in December, please register for one of the listed sessions as soon as possible. 

Provider staff must attend the training to completely receive credit for the training. This is mandatory. Below are the dates to register for the sessions that work best for you. When registering, please have the following information ready: 

• Agency FEIN# 
• Agency MA# 
• LTSSMaryland username 

This training will give users a good understanding of the system and review functionality that can be carried out by the providers in terms of service plans, billing, role and responsibilities, and information on individual participants. The following staff members listed below in your agency should attend the training session. 

• Fiscal Manager 
• Revenue Cycle Manager 
• Fiscal Staff 

All training sessions will be conducted virtually. Following registration, training links will be sent one day in advance of each session. All class sessions will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Breaks, including lunch, will be scheduled throughout the day. The class size is limited to 25 participants per session. 

When logging in to the training, please remember to: 

• Have your LTSSMaryland user credentials ready. If your staff need

LTSSMaryland credentials, please create the credentials for them at least three days prior to the training session to facilitate ease of access to training materials. 

• Join using a laptop or desk computer with an internet connection. (Smartphones will not be adequate.)
• Keep your webcams on during the sessions so the training is more interactive for all. 

If you have any questions about these sessions, please contact Rokesha Williams, LTSSMaryland System Business Analyst, by emailing her at dda.ltsstraining@maryland.gov. 

When 

Session dates are listed below and dates for the following months will be sent out at a later time. The training will take place from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Please click on the "register" link beside the sessions that work best for you.



November Training Dates:

Resources

Internet Access Resources

Have you heard that the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and the Governor's Office have programs to expand internet services for Marylanders to better engage with their online communities? 

Access to the internet is key to improving outcomes in the areas of community engagement, employment, and expanding housing options and opportunities. The Maryland Emergency Broadband Benefit through DHCD will make having internet services affordable for people without them having to sacrifice getting items they need, such as food and other utilities.  

Additionally, the Governor's expansion of high-speed internet across Maryland will allow people who are in rural areas to have more options on how they receive services beyond the traditional service delivery model.   

High-speed internet helps make it possible for people who receive DDA services to access assistive technology to live, work and play in their communities. It can also provide opportunities for people to live in their own homes utilizing remote support services and increasing their independence. For more information about the DDA’s Assistive Technology and Remote Support Services, visit Maryland DDA’s Technology First webpage.

For additional information, please contact Stephanie Jones, DDA’s Director of Innovations, at stephanie.jones2@maryland.gov.

Easy-to-Understand Guide to Services

This guide has important information about the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration. The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration is also called the DDA. This Easy-to-Understand Guide to Services was written to be understandable to everyone. It has the most important information you should know. The DDA also has a longer guide called the Guide to Services for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Families. That guide has more information.

Upcoming Events

10/26 Statewide Nurses Meeting: Managing Diabetes

10/26 Self-Direction Monthly Meeting

10/27 Deputy Secretary Monthly Updates Webinar

10/31 Support Broker Recertification Training

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Click here to view upcoming events on our DDA Training Calendar.

DDA Vision

People with developmental disabilities will have full lives in the communities of their choice where they are included, participate and are active citizens.

DDA Mission

Create a flexible, person-centered, family-oriented system of support so people can have full lives.

DDA Headquarters

201 W. Preston Street, 4th Floor

Baltimore, MD 21201

Phone: (410)767-5600

Fax: (410)767-5850

Toll Free: 1(844)253-8694