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The DDA Connection
October 20, 2025
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Dear DDA Community,
It’s been an exciting and inspiring month across Maryland! During recent site visits, I’ve had the privilege of meeting with amazing program participants, dedicated providers, committed families, and community partners who bring our mission to life every day. From the Arc of Washington County to Service Coordination, Inc. to the Ethiopian Eritrean Special Needs Community, I continue to be moved by the commitment, creativity, and compassion that define Maryland’s disability community.
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The Ethiopian Eritrean Special Needs Community embodies what inclusion and partnership look like in action. Their tenacity, as well as their mission—to support, educate, and strengthen individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families—aligns beautifully with DDA’s values.
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I was honored to join colleagues at the Arc of Washington County for their annual Direct Support Professionals awards luncheon as well as co-host a DSP awards event with our partner agency, the Maryland Department of Disabilities (MDOD), where DDA and MDOD recognized and celebrated the incredible contributions of our Direct Support Professionals. These individuals facilitate community connection for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and empower them to live with independence and dignity. Their work often happens quietly, behind the scenes, but its impact is profound—transforming lives, strengthening families, and enriching entire communities. Congratulations, again, to all of this year’s awardees, who exemplify excellence every day!
| | It was also a privilege to be hosted by one of Maryland Department of Health’s largest case management providers, SCI, Inc. for their annual “SCI Day” event. SCI’s case managers are a critical part of fulfilling DDA’s (and SCI’s) vision of fully inclusive communities, as they foster a culture of belonging that honors the unique identities, experiences, and voices of those who SCI’s case managers support– as well as the case managers themselves. It was a joy to celebrate SCI’s team. | | |
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month
You may be aware that October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), and the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration proudly celebrates the contributions of workers with disabilities and the employers who champion inclusive workplaces. This year’s NDEAM theme, “Access, Equity, and Inclusion: Building a Stronger Workforce Together,” reflects DDA’s ongoing commitment to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in achieving meaningful employment and community inclusion across Maryland.
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DDA’s Medicaid Waiver Program Consolidation is Live
This month also marked an important milestone for DDA and the Maryland Department of Health. On October 6, 2025, we officially consolidated our three Medicaid waiver programs into one streamlined program—Community Pathways. This major step will support our efforts to make access to services faster and easier, ensure more consistent and person-centered support, and strengthen our overall service delivery system.
We’re grateful to everyone who provided input into the waiver design process—individuals with lived experiences, families, providers, and community partners. Your feedback has been essential in shaping this transition. We’ll continue to host informational webinars and community meetings to make sure every Marylander receiving waiver services has the information and support they need.
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As we enter the fall season, I encourage everyone to stay healthy and protected. The Maryland Department of Health is working closely with federal and local partners to ensure access to COVID-19, flu, and other vaccines remains strong across the state. Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent severe illness and keep our communities safe—especially for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as medically complex health needs. Please see our complete list of frequently asked questions on preventing respiratory viruses this season.
Together, through collaboration, compassion, and commitment, we are building a stronger, more inclusive Maryland for all.
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Marlana R. Hutchinson, Deputy Secretary
Developmental Disabilities Administration
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You Are Invited to a DDA Community Meeting!
The Maryland Department of Health’s Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) wants to hear from you! Join us at our next Community meeting, where we will share updated information about what’s happening at DDA and invite open discussion about the issues that matter most to you.
The meeting will be held both in person and virtually online so that everyone in our community has the opportunity to participate in a way that works best for them. We do have limited capacity for in-person attendees. Please register below for the session which works best for you!
Southern Maryland Region:
Thursday, October 23, 2025
Time: 1 - 3 p.m.
Homewood Suites
9103 Basil Ct.
Largo, MD 20774
Registration for in-person attendance is closed
Want to attend virtually? REGISTER HERE
Eastern Maryland Region:
Friday, October 24, 2025
Time: 1 - 3 p.m.
Delmarva Community Services
108 Chesapeake Street
Cambridge, MD 21613
Want to attend in person? REGISTER HERE
Want to attend virtually? REGISTER HERE
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October 2025 Waiver Changes
On Friday, September 19, 2025, the DDA received official notice that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved the DDA's Medicaid waiver amendment.
This means that the three Medicaid waiver programs managed by the Developmental Disabilities Administration have been consolidated into a single Medicaid waiver program called Community Pathways. The change will make services faster and easier to access, offer more consistent, person-centered support, and enhance the overall system. The waiver consolidation took effect on, October 6, 2025.
The DDA has shared helpful information and guidance to keep everyone informed and to support a smooth rollout of the amendment.
Together, we’re taking another important step toward improving services and supports for people in our communities.
The resources that DDA has developed are listed below.
Amendment Information and Resources:
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DDA Website: The DDA has created a new web page titled “October 2025 Waiver Changes and You”. The purpose of the new page is to share information and guidance related to the changes with the DDA-operated Medicaid waiver program.
- Waiver Amendment 2025 Webinar Series
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Should you have any questions, please contact your Regional Office or your Coordinator of Community Services.
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Reminder: Support Broker Services Training - Recertifications and Updates for October 2025
The DDA is updating its Support Broker Services certification training based on the waiver amendment, Support Broker feedback, and updates to the Self-Directed Services Policy and Manual. This training equips Support Brokers with skills to help participants exercise their employer and budget authorities.
The Self-Directed Services Training Series is being updated and will be published on October 1, 2025. The updated videos and tests will be available for those wishing to become Support Brokers for the first time and those wishing to recertify as Support Brokers for 2026.
Recertification for Current Support Brokers
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All Support Broker certifications expire on December 31, 2025.
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This means that you will need to become recertified as a Support Broker once the new training is released in October 2025. Support Brokers will need to be recertified by December 31, 2025, to continue providing Support Broker Services to participants on January 1, 2026.
- If you do not complete recertification training before December 31, 2025, you will not be able to provide Support Broker Services to participants until you complete the training.
Those Wishing to Become Support Brokers for the First Time
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Support Broker Certification Training is currently available online; these videos and tests will certify any Support Broker through December 31, 2025.
- However, it is recommended that you wait until the updated training begins on October 1, 2025.
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Completion of the updated training will allow you to be certified from the day you complete the training through December 31, 2026.
Updates to the Support Broker Certification Training
Based on Support Broker feedback, the DDA has changed how the updated Support Broker training will be conducted (on and after October 1, 2025):
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The training will only be available in a self-paced format. Training videos will be shared as links to the DDA’s YouTube page. Test links will be shared with those who register.
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From October through December, test links will be shared with registrants within one week of registration; in 2026, test links will be shared within one month of registration.
- Instead of 17 tests (one per module), the DDA will require three tests to be taken:
- Test A, covering Modules 1-5;
- Test B, covering Modules 6-11; and
- Test C, covering Modules 12-17.
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Each test will have 50 questions and be untimed. The tests will continue to be conducted in the Classmarker platform.
- Each registrant will have two chances to pass each test with an 80% or higher.
- Retesting opportunities for registrants who fail any of the tests will begin in January 2026.
A complete overview of the training and how it will be conducted is available now:
Next Steps
- The DDA will offer online, self-paced Support Broker certification training beginning in October 2025.
- To gain access to the updated Support Broker certification tests, everyone will need to register online:
| If you have any questions or need an accommodation to complete the registration form, please contact SBCertification.dda@maryland.gov. | |
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Celebrate Your Caregiving Journey with DDA
November is National Caregiver Month!
The Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) wants to honor the incredible caregivers who support children, adults, and older adults receiving DDA services. We’re inviting caregivers to share their stories through our newsletter and social media.
We welcome all caregivers — those supporting children, youth, and adults, including those who are aging — whether receiving services through the Provider-Managed or Self-Directed Services model, and whether care is provided in the person’s own home or in a provider-managed setting.
If you’re interested in sharing your experience, please contact Mary Anne Kane Breschi at mary.kane-breschi@maryland.gov by October 31, 2025.
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Disability Employment Awareness Month
As we celebrate Disability Employment Awareness Month, we are honored to receive a Governor’s Proclamation recognizing Maryland as an Employment First state. This acknowledgment reaffirms our shared commitment to ensuring that all individuals—regardless of disability—have the opportunity to work in their communities and earn competitive wages.
The Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) remains dedicated to advancing the principles of Employment First. We believe that meaningful, Competitive Integrated Employment should be the expectation for everyone.
We extend our sincere thanks to Governor Wes Moore for his continued support of DDA’s mission and the work of our partners across the state. Together, we are building a more inclusive workforce and helping individuals with developmental disabilities achieve their employment goals.
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General Ledger (GL) Data Collection Template Submission
The Maryland Department of Health Rate Review Advisory Group (RRAG) was established to provide Maryland stakeholders with the opportunity to collaborate with the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) through a formal, consistent, and unified approach in reviewing Medicaid rates for Home and Community-Based Waiver services.
To support a data-driven rate development process, the DDA has collaborated with the RRAG, stakeholders, and providers to develop and implement the General Ledger (GL) Data Collection Template. This template enables the collection of standardized cost and utilization data from providers that collectively serve approximately 19,000 Maryland citizens. Guided by feedback from the provider community, the template has been updated to streamline the data entry process. All DDA Medicaid Waiver Traditional Service providers are required to submit data for fiscal year 2025 (July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025).
The GL Data Collection Template, instructions, sample template, frequently asked questions, and recordings of past training sessions are available on the DDA Website.
GL Data Collection Template
GL Data Collection Template Instructions
EXAMPLE: GL Collection Template
All questions, clarifications, and technical assistance requests regarding the GL Data Collection Template should be directed to The Hilltop Institute: dda_rate@hilltop.umbc.edu.
All providers required to submit a GL Template are highly encouraged to begin the data reporting process promptly and to contact Hilltop for technical support as soon as possible. As part of an extended quality assurance process and added automation, the DDA has decided to extend the submission period. The link to submit GL Templates is open for providers to upload templates once completed, with all GL Data Collection Templates due no later than October 31, 2025.
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New Provider Rates Effective October 6, 2025
We are pleased to announce that the new rate tables, effective October 6, 2025, are now available on our website at the following link:
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Our Vision:
To connect Marylanders with intellectual and developmental disabilities to services that help empower them so they can live the lives they want to live in communities they choose.
Our Mission:
To provide a high-quality and sustainable healthcare system that is equitable and accessible to all.
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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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