The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a Project of National Significance Grant by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s Administration on Developmental Disabilities. The three-year grant will establish the Youth Empowerment Alliance, an Information, Training, and Resource Center for youth with developmental disabilities. An array of partners, including youth and young adults with disabilities, community organizations, and state agencies will work together to implement the project.

The Youth Empowerment Alliance will provide information on promising practices and resources for youth and young adults with developmental disabilities, along with their families, professionals, and others. The project will also develop leadership training to increase students’ participation in their own educational, career, and life planning and assist them in becoming leaders in their communities. A key component of the project will be the awarding of “mini-grants” to youth and community organizations throughout the State to help such organizations meaningfully include and support youth and emerging leaders with developmental disabilities.

The project will pilot trainings in Prince George’s and Harford Counties, however most of the project’s activities will serve a statewide audience. A website will be developed and  youth-friendly materials focusing on topics relating to education, transition to adult life, employment, and quality of life will be created.

“We are tremendously excited about receiving this award, it offers us an opportunity to work in partnership with youth and young adults with disabilities to develop resources and training aimed at creating a new generation of leaders with developmental disabilities.” 
                           --- Brian Cox, Executive DirectorMD Developmental Disabilities Council

“Most importantly, we hope this project will assist young people with developmental disabilities to take control of their own lives and help them become advocates for themselves,” says Cox. “Research shows that self-determination and self-advocacy skills enhance youth with disabilities’ abilities to assume responsibility for their own lives and transition more effectively from the education environment to the community. Their ability to meaningfully participate in quality, inclusive standards-based education, in preparatory experiences such as career assessment and training, and in work-based experiences of their choice, often hinges upon their ability to advocate for themselves. Instruction in self-advocacy and self-determination has not been readily available on a widespread basis and with this project we hope to change that.”

The Council is pleased to announce that Ms. Ann Marie Lane has been hired as the project director for the Youth Empowerment Alliance. Ms. Lane worked as a special education teacher in Harford County for 15 years. She also worked with TransCen, Inc. on the MD Transition Initiative Grant and as the statewide Transition Specialist with MSDE. She was most recently employed with OCYF as one of the Local Coordination Council Specialist supporting the work of each of the 24 Local Coordinating Councils throughout the State.

Contact AnnMarieL@md-council.org or call 410-767-3670 or 800-305-6441 for more information.