This year marks the third consecutive year that Maryland has been recognized as a Technology First State through a governor’s proclamation. We thank Governor Wes Moore for his continued support of our vital mission. I want to thank our partner, Secretary Carol Beatty, as well, for joining us and for presenting the proclamation on Governor Moore’s behalf. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of so many people across the state who believe in the power of technology to transform lives.

Our tech-first event was a huge success! It was exciting to meet over twenty-two (22) innovative vendors at the fair who presented opportunities to experience assistive technology in person. I, along with so many of you, had the opportunity to hear from engaging panels consisting of providers and those utilizing the services! Our keynote speaker, Chief Strategy Officer Dr. Maiulik Trivedi from Station MD, introduced their telehealth system, which innovatively supports people with developmental disabilities in scenarios previously requiring emergency room admission. 

Here are two videos of DDA’s own Jessica Stine, our Western Maryland Regional Office Advocacy Specialist, and Sasha María Puyans, a mother and advocate, who both shared how their use of assistive technology has fostered independence in how they work and live!

Pictured: Maryland Department of Disabilities Secretary Carol Beatty

Expansion of Assistive Technology

We’ve made incredible progress over the past year. From August of last year to today, we’ve seen an increase from 316 to 489 people utilizing DDA’s assistive technology services. The impact is clear—technology is empowering more people to live more independently, connect with their communities, and take greater control of their daily lives.

I am happy to highlight one of many opportunities people with developmental disabilities have to exercise choice in determining how to live their best lives.

Sincerely,

Marlana R. Hutchinson, Deputy Secretary

Developmental Disabilities Administration

Honoring National Hispanic Heritage Month

September 15 through October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to honor the 63.7 million Hispanic people living in the United States. This month, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH) would like to raise awareness of the health disparities that impact Hispanic Americans and highlight efforts to reduce gaps in health care. 

Hispanic Americans are at greater risk of various health conditions due to a lack of preventive care and health insurance, as well as language barriers. In 2022, almost 28% of Hispanic adults didn’t have health insurance compared to Black (13.3%), White (7.4%), and Asian (7.1%) adults. Hispanic adults with limited English proficiency (LEP) are also less likely to regularly see a doctor, use preventive services, and get health screenings. Improving health literacy and ensuring culturally competent care is available can help encourage Hispanic people to use preventive services available to them.

We’re proud to have recognized Latino Connection as a 2024 CMS Health Equity Award winner. Latino Connection is a community-based organization in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, that is helping to improve healthcare access in Hispanic communities. They recently worked to address health disparities through the Community-Accessible Testing & Education (CATE) initiative. CATE was launched in 2020 to support communities in Pennsylvania that were disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, especially Hispanic and LGBTQI+ individuals. Latino Connection improved the health of more than 37,000 people by delivering thousands of COVID-19 tests, vaccines, and resources, along with personal protective equipment kits.

Help CMS and others in your community advance health equity for Hispanic people this month and beyond by reviewing and sharing the resources below. 

Si usted prefiere ver este contenido en español, por favor haga clic aquí.

Resources

• Download and share our Coverage to Care (C2C) Roadmap to Better Care (Spanish) and its companion guide for mental health and substance use services, the Roadmap to Behavioral Health (Spanish).
• Share our C2C Get Preventive Care webpage to help those you serve learn which healthcare services are available to them at no cost under most health coverage. Each resource is available in 8 languages, including Spanish.
• Read our Understanding the Health Needs of Diverse Groups of Hispanic Medicare Beneficiaries data highlight to learn about the future medical needs and challenges of America’s growing Hispanic population.
• Review our new Improving Care for People With Limited English Proficiency infographic to learn more about health disparities among people with LEP and to find relevant resources.
• Explore the CMS Guide to Developing a Language Access Plan, which helps organizations ensure individuals with LEP have access to their programs.
• Download A Practical Guide to Implementing the National CLAS Standards to learn how your organization can implement the National Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) Standards and improve health equity.
• Take the Introduction to Language Access Plans course on the Medicare Learning Network to learn how language access plans affect health care services for people with LEP.
• Visit Latino Connection’s website to learn more about their community education and health outreach initiatives.

Operation Updates

General Ledger (GL) Data Collection Template Submission - Reminders and Resources

Due Date: General Ledger Data Collection Templates are due by September 30, 2024.

All providers who received reimbursement for traditional waiver services in fiscal year 2024 are required to submit a GL Data Collection Template in accordance with COMAR 10.22.17.05D. Providers who fail to submit the GL Data Collection Template will be subject to sanctions. 

The GL Data Collection Template, along with instructions, a sample template, frequently asked questions, and recordings of past training sessions, are available on the DDA Website. 

GL Data Collection Template (updated version is dated 7.17.24)

GL Data Collection Template Instructions

EXAMPLE: GL Collection Template

GL Data Collection Templates, including FY24 data, are due by September 30, 2024. 

To support a data-driven rate development process, the DDA has worked with the Rate Review Advisory Group (RRAG), stakeholders and providers to develop and implement the General Ledger (GL) Data Collection Template. This template is designed to obtain standardized cost and utilization data from providers who collectively serve approximately 19,000 Maryland citizens. The template was first shared with providers in May 2023, when it was announced that all DDA Medicaid Waiver Service providers would be required to submit data for fiscal year 2024 (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024). 

The General Ledger Template serves as the long-term data strategy for DDA to inform and support a data-driven rate review process. It is essential that all required providers submit high-quality, consistent data.  

All questions, clarifications and technical assistance requests regarding the GL Collection Template should be directed to The Hilltop Institute: dda_rate@hilltop.umbc.edu.

Each year, respiratory viruses are responsible for millions of illnesses and thousands of hospitalizations and deaths in the United States. In addition to the virus that causes COVID-19, there are many other types of respiratory viruses, including flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The good news is there are actions you can take to help protect yourself and others from health risks caused by respiratory viruses.

This guidance provides practical recommendations and information to help people lower risk from a range of common respiratory viral illnesses, including COVID-19, flu, and RSV.

CDC recommends that all people use core prevention strategies. These are important steps you can take to protect yourself and others:

• Stay up to date with immunizations
• Practice good hygiene (practices that improve cleanliness)
• Take steps for cleaner air
• When you may have a respiratory virus:
• Use precautions to prevent spread
• Seek health care promptly for testing and/or treatment if you have risk factors for severe illness; treatment may help lower your risk of severe illness.

In addition to CDC’s Respiratory Virus Guidance, there are several special considerations for people with certain risk factors for severe illness, including people with disabilities.

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 this month, the DDA wants to showcase how the positive impact of work can transform 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 4, 2024 by submitting your story here: 

Medication Errors

The DDA Regional Nurses invite you to a webinar training on Medication Errors scheduled for Tuesday, October 8, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Overview: This presentation offers a review of medication errors and identifies some root causes. The session includes Q&A and links to helpful resources. 

Objectives:  

• Identify basic rules and principles of medication administration
• Review the medication administration process
• Define a medication error
• Understanding Policy on Reportable Incidents and Investigations
• Statewide medication errors 
• Errors by Region
• Errors by subset
• Identify Root Causes 
• Remediation

Presenters: 

Ramona Bradley, MSN, RN

Michelle Howell, BSN, RN

Kelly Jones, BSN, RN

Melanie Pepple, BSN, RN

For questions about registration, please contact Alison Johnston at alison.johnston@maryland.gov. All nursing-related questions can be directed to the Central Regional Office Health Services Liaison, Kelly Jones BSN, RN, at kelly.jones2@maryland.gov.

Regional Nurses Contact:

***This is an interactive session. Attendance requires active participation via computer, including answering questions. Your attentiveness is measured by the computer system.  Credit cannot be obtained by attending via phone or being inattentive. ***

SIS-A Second Edition Informational Webinar

In May 2016, the DDA supported the use of the Supports Intensity Scale (SIS®) assessment tool. The SIS® measures a person’s support needs in personal, work-related and social activities to identify and describe the types and intensity of supports required. The SIS® is designed to be part of person-centered planning processes that help people identify their unique preferences, skills and life goals.

Recently, the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities launched a new version of the SIS®, which now includes questions related to physical health and advocacy. Additional information on these revisions can be found here.

The DDA will adopt the newest version of the SIS®, beginning with assessments scheduled for July 2024.

In addition to the information on our website, we will offer an informational webinar on Thursday, October 17, 2024 from 1–2 p.m. The webinar will provide an opportunity to learn how the SIS® can be used as a tool to support needs in your Person-Centered Plan. 

If you have any questions, please contact Stephanie Jones, Director of Innovations, at Stephanie.Jones2@maryland.gov or call her at 443-523-0091.

Medicaid Renewal Process Steps Reminder

To renew your Medicaid, known as renewal or redetermination, is to reapply. Some also call it an eligibility review. When you renew, the Department of Health will see if you are still eligible for Medicaid and for the waiver program you are in. 

Get Ready to Renew

1. Make Sure Your Contact Information is Up to Date.

• Make sure we have your right address, phone number and email so we can reach you. To check and update your information:
• Log in to your MyMDThink account, or
• Contact your Local Department of Social Services for help, or
• Work with your Coordinator of Community Services (CCS) for help.

2. Check Your Mail. Read Your Mail.

• Watch your mail for notices from us. You will get notices about your upcoming renewal 90 days ahead of time.
• Look for your renewal packet in your mail.
• Your Coordinator of Community Services can help you with information about your renewal date too.

3. Complete and Return all Forms and Documents Right Away.

• When you get your renewal packet, be sure to complete and return it by the due date. If you do not, you will lose your Medicaid and waiver coverage.

4. Help with Your Renewal

• Call your Coordinator of Community Services or your personal representative, which is the person you choose to help you, for questions or help with your renewal.

Translation Services | Servicios de Traducción 

Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame a su Coordinador de Servicios Comunitarios o a su Departamento de Servicios Humanos local. 

Visit our Participant Check-In webpage to learn more about renewals. Go to the page now: https://bit.ly/3sHXQN1 or scan the QR code.

Upcoming Events

10/17/24 SIS-A Second Edition Informational Webinar

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



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