September 2017 Monthly News and Updates

Direct Support Professional Recognition Week is September 10-16!

The Maryland Department of Disabilities (MDOD) and the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) join others throughout the United States in marking September 10th through September 16th, 2017 as DSP Recognition Week. MDOD and DDA plan to travel the state thanking Direct Support Professionals for their dedication and expertise. We will also be highlighting local employers who have gone above and beyond to successfully utilize the talents of those with disabilities in the workforce.

According to The American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR), Direct Support Professionals, or DSPs, make up over 3.6 million workers in the United States. In fact, the demand for direct support workers is expected to increase by 35% from 2008 to 2018.

But most importantly, DSPs ensure people with disabilities have the necessary supports that enable them to live, work, and enjoy life as independently as possible in their community. DSPs can work in a number of different settings and often have opportunities to share their own passions and talents with the people they support.

Direct Support Professional Recognition week is held each September as a way to recognize and say ‘thank you’ to the people that support people day in and day out to live the lives they want!

Click HERE to access ANCOR’s DSP week ideas and toolkit. Or, just Google “DSP week”, for lots of links and creative ways to celebrate. What is YOUR organization doing to celebrate and highlight your talented and dedicated DSPs? Send in pictures or post on Facebook! Inclusion Drives Innovation - National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Reminder that October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Held each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is a national campaign that raises awareness about disability employment issues and celebrates the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. The theme for 2017 is "Inclusion Drives Innovation." Including: press releases, posters, and proclamations.

How are YOU planning to observe National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)? The aim of NDEAM is to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. NDEAM is led by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy, but it’s true spirit lies in the many observances held at the grassroots level across the nation every year. Learn how you can support NDEAM by visiting the ODEP website: www.dol.gov/ndeam.

All month, DDA will be highlighting Employment Related stories on our Facebook Page. Please like, share and link up using the hashtags: #NDEAM #InclusionDrivesInnovation #EmploymentFirst.DDA’s October Employment First Summit- Looking ahead to what’s next!

Mark your calendars and please join us for DDA’s Annual Employment First Summit on Friday, October 13, 2017 8:30am-3:30pm Click here to go to our training calendar to get registered.

Come help us celebrate Disability Employment Awareness Month, hear from guest speakers and state leaders, get updates on Employment First initiatives and transformation, both nationally and here in Maryland and find out what’s next!

ICI Employment Data Initiative- Updates and Webinar 9/26/17 at 10am-11am

After our most recent data collection cycle, it became evident that now would be a good time for a review of our Data Collection Initiative: Why we have it? What is expected of providers? How to use the system? How do we use the data?

There are also a few small changes to the data being collected starting in October. Click here to register for this brief but important webinar to review all of the above. The webinar will be recorded and uploaded to the DDA website so that it’s available for future viewing. Employment First FAQ- Updates!

Click here to see most recent updates to DDA’s Employment First FAQ page. We answer some questions about Community- based non work, CMS final rule compliance and choice.

Looking for Stories

Do you have success stories or promising practices to share related to competitive, integrated employment or community integration? If so, please contact me at [email protected]

Things we would like to highlight:

1. Self-employment 2. Use of technical assistance

3. Creative supports and services for people with medical or personal care needs

4. Stories about community membership

5. Creative organizational structures, policies, trainings or service models

Want more information about Employment First?

 Go to DDA’s Employment First Page

 Are you on our Employment First mailing list? If not, sign up here

 Want to see previous Employment First newsletters? Click here

 Questions or comments email [email protected]