Fello's Self-Directed Services Newsletter 

Welcome to our monthly newsletter! Each month we share news, reminders, and helpful information for people who self-direct.   

You're Invited: Fello's 65th

Anniversary Celebration

Join us for a special evening as we celebrate 65 years of building community and opportunity across Maryland.

Date: Saturday, October 3 from 6:00PM-10:00PM

Location: The Hall at Live!  7002 Arundel Mills Cir, Hanover, MD 21076

Enjoy a three-course dinner, live music, and dancing. We will also honor four amazing people who have helped shape Fello's story since 1961. This is a cocktail attire event.

Tickets are $100 for Participants and $150 for their employees and other guests (If you work for a participant, you are their employee, not a Fello employee).



It will be an evening to remember!

Participant Spotlight

Amanda has been self-directing her services since 2016.

"I chose self-direction because I wanted to have control over my own life and the decisions that impact it. I first learned about self-direction through a close friend, and since then, it has been a transformative experience for me".

Self-direction helps Amanda make her own choices. It also helps her become more independent in her community. One way she has gained independent is by learning to use public transportation.

Amanda's parents, Support Broker, and Coordinator of Community Services (CCS) all encourage her to be independent. Their support has helped Amanda feel comfortable speaking up for herself. Every year, she takes part in the Disability Policy Seminar in Washington, DC. She also attends Developmental Disabilities Day in Annapolis.

Amanda has advice to people new to Self-Directed Services. She says it’s important to find employees who support your choices and help you try new things.

"Empowering yourself to make choices that align with your goals and values is vital to personal fulfillment".

Amanda's employee has helped her try new social groups and make healthier choices in her life.

Are you "living your best life" thanks to self-direction? We would love to share your story! Email SDSParticipants@fello.org with the subject line "Spotlight Me." We will reach out about featuring you in a future newsletter.

Employee Spotlight

This month, meet Meagan (Megg) Andrade, Stakeholder Relations Manager.

Megg recently joined Fello as the Stakeholder Relations Manager. She has worked closely with the developmental disabilities community. She understands the people and systems that are part of this work.



Megg is great at asking questions, bringing people together, and explaining complex systems in simple ways. She is excited to get to know the people in the Fello community. She looks forward to building strong relationships that support Fello’s mission.

Welcome to the team, Megg!

Employee Seperation

If an employee does not submit at least one shift for a participant within 12 months, that employee will no longer be considered an active employee for that participant. This means the employee would no longer be able to submit shifts. They also would not be able to add missed shifts from the past 12 months.

If a participant wants to hire the employee again, the employee must fill out and submit the New Hire Packet paperwork again.

Please note: Submitting mileage or invoices without shifts does NOT keep an employee active. Employees must submit shifts to stay active.

11-Month Submission Reminder

Requests for reimbursement, direct vendor payments, and timesheets must be submitted within 11 months of the date the service happened. If they are not submitted within 11 months of the date the service happened, they are not eligible for payment.

We strongly encourage you to submit timesheets and invoices as soon as possible after a service is provided.

If you do not receive payment within the timeframe shown on our calendars, please submit a Helpdesk ticket. You can find these calendars on our Forms and Resources page.

Talent Show at Fello at The Mall

We hold events at Fello at The Mall, in the Annapolis Mall, every month. Each month has a new theme or activity. Join us for our September Talent Show!

• Tuesday, September 15 from 4:00PM – 7:00PM
• Saturday, September 19 from 11:00AM – 3:00PM

Come show off your talent! You can sing, dance, do comedy, magic, or anything else you’d like. This month’s events will highlight everyone’s talents with an Open Mic-style Talent Show. Everyone is welcome and it’s free to attend. To learn more or sign up, click here.