Share Your Success Stories for National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)

Did DDA services help you land your dream job, start a business, or help you excel in your career? Or do you provide services that have helped someone to prepare for, find, exceed in, or retain employment? If so, tell us your story!

In honor of NDEAM next month, the DDA wants to showcase the positive impact of work in transforming lives. We’re looking for stories and photos about people’s employment journeys and the services that helped them achieve success. Throughout October, we’ll feature your stories on the DDA Facebook page and in The DDA Connection.



Help us celebrate your achievements and inspire others to dream big while reaching for their employment goals. Submit your success stories and photos to the DDA by Friday, October 6th by submitting your story here:

Program Updates

Trauma- Informed Care Training

The Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) is hosting a two-part in-person Trauma- Informed Care training. Presented by Dr. Karyn Harvey, an introduction session of Trauma Informed Care and a two day “Train the Trainer” session will be held. 

The training is a great resource for anyone who would like to learn more about the impact trauma has on people with Intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as those who provide support. This training will support staff in delivering improved services through a healing orientation sensitive to peoples’ present and past histories. 

All training will be held in person at:

The Meeting House

5885 Robert Oliver Pl

Columbia, MD 21045

Introduction to Trauma-Informed Care

(This session is a prerequisite for the Train the Trainer session below)

Wednesday, Nov. 15th  

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Trauma-Informed Care: Train the Trainer

Thursday, November 16th and Friday, November 17th 

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Should you have any questions, please contact Terrence Proctor, Statewide Coordinator of Clinical Behavioral Services by email at terrence.proctor1@maryland.gov

Abuse and Neglect Reporting

of People With Developmental Disabilities

The Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) encourages anyone who has concerns about abuse, neglect, or exploitation to report it to the following entities:

• If you think someone is in immediate danger, call 911 immediately.
• For any adult 18 years or older who receives supports by a DDA provider contact: 
•  The Office of Health Care Quality (OHCQ) via: Phone (410) 402-8015, online using the OHCQ Complaint Form or using the below QR code:

• For anyone who is Self-Directing their services, contact:
• Adult Protective Services at 1-800-91Prevent (1-800-917-7383)

• For a child up to age 18, contact:
• Child Protective Services at 1-800-91Prevent (1-800-917-7383)

Learn more about the DDA by visiting: dda.health.maryland.gov. 

NEW - Self-Direction Monthly Meetings

The Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) will begin hosting monthly statewide Self-Direction meetings beginning on October 26, 2023 from noon to 1 p.m. 

Please join us for this first meeting to share your questions and suggestions!

Our first meeting will include the following topics: 

• Purpose of meetings 
• Standing agenda items 
• FMCS presentations on their onboarding processes and workflows
• Invoice and timesheet reminders 

Who should come: 

• People self-directing and their families
• People considering self-direction and their families
• Support Brokers
• Nurses
• SDS Contractors and Vendors
• CCS

To plan for future sessions, we will conduct a survey during the meeting about what topics would be most important to you during future SDS meetings. Please join us for this first meeting to share your questions and suggestions!

Operations Updates

General Ledger Data Collection Template

Beginning July 1, 2023, providers began collecting data to report on the new General Ledger Data Collection Template for FY2024. As data is essential to support a data-driven rate review process, all providers are required to submit the General Ledger Data Collection Template that will be due in September 2024. Resource materials are available on the Rate Review Advisory Group website. Technical assistance is also available upon request. Please reach out to dda_rate@hilltop.umbc.edu for assistance.

Fiscal Year 2023 Cost Report Template

The template for the FY2023 Cost report is now available on our website for download here. Please reach out to nicholas.gabor@maryland.gov for assistance.

Stay tuned for updates in our next newsletter!

Resources

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

10/3 Support Broker Initial Certification Training

10/13 Statewide Nurses Meeting: ABC’s of ASM’s

10/17 Support Broker Recertification Training

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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