 |
|
August 2020 Monthly News and Updates
|
|
June/July 2020 Employment Outcomes Data
Twice a year, since 2014, Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) providers of Meaningful Day Services have been submitting robust data regarding various employment and community outcomes for people they support. Those outcomes are then uploaded and housed into DDA's
Employment Outcome Information System.
Typically, DDA's employment data tracking period would fall during the month of May, but due to the COVID crisis, the DDA along with our partners at the State Employment Leadership Network (SELN), created a temporarily modified employment data tracking survey.
The modified survey was significantly shorter and did not ask for individual level data, but instead, asked for numbers of people in various employment categories such as currently working, terminated, furloughed, etc.
This critical employment outcome data will assist the DDA in gathering baseline information regarding the impact of COVID-19 on employment status of people in services. This will be important as we look forward to both recovery, as well as future service delivery and innovation.
|
|
DDA Reopening Framework
Based on the previously outlined discussions, the Developmental Disabilities Administration has developed a Meaningful Day Services Reopening Framework, organized through the lenses of: Safety, Capacity, Equity, Data, Collaboration and Equity.
The framework is intended to be used in combination with person centered planning. The framework has been reviewed by Jeffrey S. Woolford, MD, MPH, MBA, who is the Director of Community Initiatives Testing Task Force and is leading all non-regulatory COVID-19 matters involving nursing homes, assisted living facilities, group homes, and other congregate living settings; David Blythe, MD, MPH, who is the State Epidemiologist and Director in the Office of the Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Outbreak Response Bureau to ensure all guidance aligns with CDC guidance; and Cliff Mitchell, MD, MS, MPH, who is the Director, Environmental Health Bureau, Prevention and Health Promotion Administration.
The framework provides a few examples of how providers are utilizing virtual communication options to provide supports and services to individuals in creative and innovative ways while maintaining the health and safety of individuals and their staff. The DDA encourages all providers to consider how service delivery models are changing, how technology may be leveraged, and what innovations are possible to support people. The documentation and sources referenced in the framework guidance are subject to change.
The Meaningful Day programs responsible for implementation and monitoring of these guidelines are required to adhere to all applicable local, State and federal requirements, remain well-informed with any relevant updates and to incorporate these, as needed, into operating practices and site-specific Safety Plans. Each Meaningful Day program should implement additional precautions and/or increased restrictions necessary to meet program specific and individual specific needs. We encourage DDA Providers to utilize the framework as a guide when creating your individual reopening plans. If you have questions or concerns related to the framework or reopening considerations, please contact your DDA Regional Director.
|
|
The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) has published the following update.
A Transition Guide to Postsecondary Education and Employment for Students and Youth with Disabilities, August 2020, to advance our efforts in ensuring that all students and youth with disabilities are equipped with the skills and knowledge to achieve their post-school and career goals. In this updated transition guide, we added information about dual enrollment and the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act . We hope this transition guide will help students and youth with disabilities and their families to better understand how the State education agencies, the local education agencies, and the vocational rehabilitation agencies work together to facilitate improved outcomes for students and youth with disabilities. |
|
|
Technical Assistance Opportunity for DDA Employment Providers
The Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) is excited to announce a new Technical Assistance (TA) opportunity available to 8 selected DDA Employment Providers.
The Maryland Training and Technical Assistance Project (MD-TAP) is a partnership between DDA and Subject Matter Experts (SME) from Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) University of Massachusetts Boston.
By working over 13 months with the SMEs, the desired outcomes of the TA are for the selected providers to transform their services to support people to have meaningful days in their community with a central focus on high quality employment outcomes
Note: The deadline to apply for this opportunity is September 2, 2020 at 5pm.
|
|
Progressive Employment Model Webinar and Resources
Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) Trainers Cecilia Gandolfo and Linda Mock delivered a virtual training on the Progressive Employment (PE) model for staff at Maine Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. The training curriculum covered a comprehensive overview of the PE model components including establishing a team approach and implementation of services to dual-customers.
Progressive employment:
- Believes that everyone is ready for something
- Embraces that small success leads to further success
- Provides flexibility and creativity based on each person or employer's situation
- Ensures low risk for both the employer and the participant
- Eliminates the need for consumers to be "job ready"
The training was comprised of eight live facilitator-led virtual sessions and integrated follow-up field work assignments in between sessions. The trainees commented that the training was interactive and made great use of the Zoom breakout rooms and polls to engage in the content and interact with others throughout the training. Interested in learning more about the PE model implementation, training, and research? Contact [email protected] .
|
|
APSE Maryland Chapter: Lunch with Leaders
The Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE) is a membership organization with the purpose of improving employment outcomes for people with disabilities.
One of the Maryland chapter efforts is to launch a collaborative outlet for professionals and leaders in the field to share news, experiences, and efforts on a wide variety of topics, that impact the individuals we both serve and advocate on behalf of called Lunch with Leaders.
Join the Maryland Chapter (Virtually) the second Tuesday of each month, from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. to hear from leaders across the state of Maryland.
|
|
Pre-ETS Announcement on Behalf of Partners at DORS
Hello, Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) Partners & Providers!
Your organization must receive confirmation from DORS to provide your previously approved Pre-ETS program virtually post 9/1/20.
|
|
The DDA Educational Series Webinar Recordings
The DDA Education Series webinars are available to view at the DDA archived webinar page. You will find a complete list of webinar topics on the right side of the page. Below is a list of topics in the series.
|
|
Want more information about Employment First?
|
|
STAY CONNECTED TO DDA THROUGH FACEBOOK
|
|
Maryland Department of Health
201 W. Preston St. | Baltimore MD, 21201
The Maryland Department of Health promotes the health and safety of all Marylanders through disease prevention, access to care, quality management, and community engagement. The State of Maryland pledges to provide constituents, businesses, customers, and stakeholders with quality customer service. Take our Customer Satisfaction Survey.
|
|
|
|
|
|
