The Maryland Department of Health - Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) is committed to delivering consistent, user-friendly and transparent communication. To that end, we are moving to a weekly newsletter format in which you will receive brief updates that reflect our focus areas. These will include updates in the unwinding of Appendix K and other special topic areas that will keep people receiving services and families, coordinators of community services, providers, and all Maryland stakeholders up to date. 

We will be gradually moving to a new communication platform, GovDelivery, during the spring. But until then, you will begin to receive this weekly newsletter on Wednesdays of each week via Constant Contact. These emails will be made up of brief content updates that will be linked to the DDA website for more detailed information. 

Medicaid Check-In  

Important actions to take today:

• Create a myMDTHINK account if you do not already have one. 
• MDTHINK is Maryland’s system that includes direct access to your Medicaid eligibility status, letters and notices.
• Make sure your myMDTHINK account has your current mailing address, phone number, email or other contact information.
• Once you establish your account, you can access your Medicaid case details, and manage your account information like updating your contact information. 
• Please note that you must have an email address to create a myMDThink account. 
• If you do not have an email address, you may create one with help from a family member, coordinator of community services or provider of your choice.

You can follow these steps to review or update your contact information:

• To review or update contact information online, log in to your account at mymdthink.maryland.gov and review or update your address, phone number and email. 
• If you do not already have an account, you can create an account at mymdthink.maryland.gov by clicking on “create account.” 
• You can also call the DHS Call Center at 800-332-6347. Help is available in more than 200 languages. People who are deaf and hard of hearing can use Relay service.
• You can also call or visit your local Department of Social Services​ or your Local Health Department.

Waiver Updates

DDA Appendix K Unwinding Webinar

The DDA will be conducting a webinar on April 21, 2023 from noon to 1:30 p.m. regarding the unwinding of the remaining DDA Appendix K flexibilities. We will also highlight flexibilities that will continue under the DDA-operated Medicaid Waivers.

To register for the webinar, please click the button below:

Reference: The DDA’s Appendix K and Executive ​Orders Flexibilities chart for the flexibilities ending on June 30, 2023 noted on page 2, and flexibilities that will continue after June 30, 2023 noted on page 3.  

For additional information, please review the topic-specific memos on the DDA’s dedicated Appendix K webpage at this link.

Self-Directed Services

Support Broker Vendor Invoice Updates and Webinar

The DDA is conducting Support Broker Billing webinars on the following date:  

Tuesday, April 4, 2023 from 10-11 a.m.

Wednesday, April 5, 2023 from 2-3 p.m. 

Wednesday, April 19, 2023 from 2-3 p.m. - canceled due to low registration

During the Maryland Department of Health’s Financial Management and Counseling Services (FMCS) transition, the way FMCS agencies bill the system for all service hours provided to participants was updated. 

To view the recorded webinar and materials click on this link.  

• Webinar - Support Broker Vendor Billing - April 4, 2023​
• Webinar PPT - April 4, 2023
• Support Broker Sample Invoice - April 4, 2023

Appendix K Unwinding

The Developmental Disabilities Administration will be conducting a webinar on April 21, 2023 from noon to 1:30 p.m. regarding the unwinding of the remaining DDA Appendix K flexibilities. We will also highlight flexibilities that will continue under the DDA-operated Medicaid Waivers.

As previously shared, the DDA’s Appendix K flexibilities will end on June 30, 2023. 

To register for the webinar, please click the button below:

Reference: The DDA’s Appendix K and Executive ​Orders Flexibilities chart for the flexibilities ending on June 30, 2023 noted on page 2, and flexibilities that will continue after June 30, 2023 noted on page 3.  

For additional information, please review the topic-specific memos on the DDA’s dedicated Appendix K webpage.

PCP Enhancement Committee Volunteers

The DDA is seeking people, families, and community partners that are interested in helping implement DDA’s Person-Centered Planning (PCP) process enhancements recommended by The National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS) and The University of Missouri, Kansas City (UMKC). 

We will be forming a committee of 25 people who will work closely with the DDA and UMKC to collaborate on the implementation of PCP enhancements, which will include incorporating Charting the LifeCourse principles into our overall process as well as updating forms and documents to ensure they are user friendly and accessible.

The committee will include the following members:

• At least 5 people with a developmental disability, 2 of which are self-directing their services.  
• At least 2 family members of people with developmental disabilities. 
• At least 4 provider organization representatives, one being a DSP, and one being a front line supervisor.  
• At least 4 CCS agency representatives, one being a CCS. 
• A representative from each regional office.
• 6 interested I/DD community advocates and/or partners. 

Commitment will be a half day in-person kickoff meeting on May 31, 2023 (location TBD) and 1 to 2 virtual meetings per month, lasting no more than 2 hours each, for 6 to 8 months. Regular attendance at scheduled meetings is important to ensure the group can meet timelines. We are looking for members that are committed to thinking outside the box, championing person-centered thinking and actions, representing the great diversity across our state, and believing in the power of collaboration. 

The committee will develop a work plan and produce a template and timeline for implementing the enhancements recommended by NASDDDS and UMKC. The work of the committee will be shared with the broader I/DD community after each meeting in the spirit of transparency and to ensure continual forward movement. At the conclusion of the committee's work together, a presentation will be scheduled to discuss next steps. 

If you are interested in participating in this committee, please express your interest by clicking on the link below no later than 4/19/2023. The DDA, in collaboration with UMKC, will review interest and choose based on the criteria above and ensure representation across all four regions. Please note that the limit of the committee is 25 people to ensure efficiency while also being representative of the I/DD community. Once the committee is identified they will be sent an invite to the kickoff meeting and membership will be shared with the Maryland I/DD community at large.

Joint DDA and DORS Training

We are excited to announce our continued partnership and quarterly joint training opportunities with the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS). 

The purpose of this training series is to provide information related to services offered by our two agencies, and how we collaborate to promote maximum employment outcomes for people with developmental disabilities. Our next joint training is listed below.  

June 28 - 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.:

• DORS' Pre-Employment Transition Services
• DDA's Employment Discovery and Job Development Services

Employment 1st Workgroup

DDA’s Employment 1st Workgroup is a diverse team representing Marylanders committed to identifying and addressing the obstacles and opportunities for enhancing employment access and outcomes for people with developmental disabilities. Please click here to view the workgroup's goals and outcomes for 2023-2024. 

For more information on DDA's employment services please visit the DDA’s employment webpage.

Technology First 

The Maryland Department of Health - Developmental Disabilities Administration’s Technology First Task Force is excited to invite you to the first-ever monthly DDA “Tech Tuesdays” lunch and learn as we lead up to our year anniversary of Maryland being a Technology First State. 

During this monthly series, we will dive into how Marylanders with developmental disabilities can utilize various technologies to LIVE, WORK and PLAY in the communities of their choice. 

The DDA apologizes for the technical difficulties experienced during our first Tech Tuesday event on March 28, 2023! We are recording an updated version that will be shared prior to the next session. 

We look forward to your participation in our next Tech Tuesday event on April 25, 2023, noon-1 p.m., during which we will be raffling a one-time Tech-related gift card to a participant who attends for the full duration of the webinar! 

April 25, 2023: Enabling Technology & Quality of Life: My Home, My Health, My Privacy

This session will be an introduction to various technical devices individuals can have in their homes to promote independence and assist with maintaining their health.

Trauma-Informed Care Training

The Developmental Disabilities Administration is hosting Trauma-Informed Care training, presented by Dr. Karyn Harvey. The two-day virtual training will be conducted on May 15-16 from 10 a.m. to noon. 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 you in delivering improved services through a healing orientation sensitive to people’s present and past histories. This training is a prerequisite for the upcoming three-day virtual Train the Trainer session on June 20-22, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please register for one or both sessions by clicking the registration buttons below:

Should you have any questions, please contact Terrence Proctor, Statewide Coordinator of Clinical Behavioral Services, at Terrence.Proctor1@maryland.gov.

Monthly Statewide Nursing Meeting

The Developmental Disabilities Administration Regional Nurses invites the DDA agency nurses (RN CM/DNs) to our monthly statewide nurses meeting. 

For DDA RN CM DNs: This training counts for attendance to one of the two required training for the fiscal year. You must be online during the training for at least one hour to qualify for attendance purposes.  

April 13, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Comprehensive Nursing Care Plan Development

Presenter: DDA Health Service Liaison Nurses

Nurses will be able to describe the role of delegation in the development, review, prioritization, and evaluation of the nursing care plan. They will also have strategies and processes that will enable them to incorporate the HRST risks into the nursing care plan.

All nursing-related questions for this training should be directed to Michelle Howell, RN at michelle.howell@maryland.gov.

June 22, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Dental Care

Presenter: Caitlin Donohue-Vega, RDH, BS

Oral Health Outreach Coordinator at Eastern Shore Area Health Education Center (ESAHEC)

Nurses will be able to identify strategies to improve the oral and overall health of people we support in the DD population.

All nursing-related questions for this training should be directed to Kelly Jones, RN at kelly. jones2@maryland.gov.

If you have any questions about how to register for either of these trainings, please reach out to Alison Johnston at alison.johnston@maryland.gov.

Need to contact your DDA Regional Nurse? Click here.

Regional After Hours Contact Information 

The DDA’s Regional Offices are available to assist individuals, families, providers, and Marylanders in need in the event of an emergent situation including after normal business hours.  Contact information is noted below for each regional office. Please note that for medical or safety emergencies that require police or medical response, contact 911. For these emergencies or situations requiring mobile crisis interventions, the regional office should be a secondary contact.

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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