We’re Back!

With Marlana R. Hutchinson, our new Deputy Secretary, establishing her aligned vision for the DDA, we are currently assessing what works for you as we strive to communicate with transparency. Although we haven’t fully returned to our biweekly newsletter edition, we are mindful of how we convey information to you and plan to re-establish consistency in the near future. We appreciate your patience.

Developmental Disabilities Day February 21, 2024 

Watch the Recorded Session

Advocates look forward to Developmental Disabilities Day at the Legislature (“DD Day”) all year. You will hear information from legislators and fellow advocates. You will learn about important advocacy topics for this legislative session before meeting with your legislators to discuss them. Watch Wednesday’s recorded session online through the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Coalition’s Facebook page by clicking the link below.

Excitingly, the event was graced by Governor Wes Moore, who expressed his support and commitment to serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the state of Maryland.

Program Updates

Extension of Support Broker Certification

The DDA is carefully reviewing and updating Support Broker training to ensure you are sufficiently equipped to support participants using their employer and budget authority. If your certification is to expire before May 15, the FMCS providers have been notified that all currently certified Support Brokers will remain certified until May 15, 2024. Once training is updated, mandatory Support Broker training will be required for all current brokers and those interested in obtaining certification for the first time.

Monthly Self-Directed Services Informational Session

Beginning Wednesday, March 27, 2024, the Developmental Disabilities Administration will host a monthly Self-Directed Services Informational Webinar for anyone interested in learning more about self-direction.

This month’s webinar will review the roles and responsibilities for those who choose to self-direct their services and the required documentation to begin your self-directed journey.

Who should come: 

• People considering self-direction and their families
• People currently self-directing and their families
• Coordinators of Community Services

This webinar will occur monthly and is an optional resource for you. By clicking below, you will automatically be registered for all upcoming informational webinars which will be held from 1-2 p.m. on:

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Wednesday,Apr 24, 2024

Wednesday,May 22, 2024

Wednesday,Jun 26, 2024

If you have any questions, please contact Kristi Culbreth, Statewide Coordinator of Self-Directed Services, at kristina.culbreth@maryland.gov

DDA - RN/Case Management/Delegating Nurse Orientation

A two-day DDA Registered Nurse (RN) Case Manager/Delegating Nurse /MTechnician Training Program (MTTP) Trainer Orientation is being held via webinar on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, and Thursday, March 14, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Please note: This is a mandatory course for ALL RNs working in the intellectual disabilities community setting. RNs new to the intellectual disabilities community practice setting should enroll in this class immediately after hire or within the first three months of employment. The RN attendees must register themselves for the training and ensure that all information entered is correct.

The RN taking this course must currently work with a DDA provider agency or person in self-directed services. You must provide the name of the employer or the individual you are contracted/working with when registering for the session. The RN's Maryland RN license must be current and active to attend.

NOTE: This course cannot be taken for assisted living, schools, Department of Social Services (DSS)/Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) or any other arena where nursing delegation occurs.  

The 16-hour training course will be held bimonthly.  Visit www.dda.health.maryland.gov to access the DDA Training Calendar for any other training that the DDA offers.

The deadline for registration is Tuesday, March 5, 2024.

For questions about the training dates and/or link, please contact Alison Johnston at alison.johnston@maryland.gov. 

For questions about the orientation process and RN requirements, please contact the Southern Maryland Regional Office Health Services Liaison, Michelle Howell BSN, RN, at michelle.howell@maryland.gov.

***This is an interactive session.  You must login to this event by computer, type answers to questions, take quizzes and pass them.  Your attentiveness is measured by the computer system.  You cannot get credit by attending by phone or not being attentive.  So please carve two days out of your busy schedule to attend this mandatory training. ***

Additional Training Dates: New DDA Waiver Application Process Training for Coordinators of Community Services

The Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) is providing two additional training dates for Coordinators of Community Services (CCS) to attend the New DDA Waiver Application Process training. The same information will be presented for each training. CCS must attend at least one of the training and have the option to attend all. 

• Friday, February 23, 2024 from 12–1 p.m. 
• Tuesday, February 27, 2024 from 12–1 p.m.  

In this mandatory training, we will share the new DDA-operated Medicaid simultaneous waiver application process for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and the specific role that you as a coordinator serve in supporting people through the process.

The new concurrent eligibility processes will support timely waiver eligibility determinations.

Click any of the dates below to register for this mandatory training

• Friday, February 23, 2024 from 12–1 p.m. 
• Tuesday, February 27, 2024 from 12–1 p.m. 

Should you have any questions, please contact Brielle Merchant, DDA Federal Programs Team, at brielle.merchant@maryland.gov.

Upcoming Events

2/23/24 New Medicaid Waiver Process Training for Coordinators of Community Services

2/27/24 New Medicaid Waiver Process Training for Coordinators of Community Services

3/7/24 MDH/DDA Rate Review Advisory Group

3/12/24 DDA RN/CMDN Orientation

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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