Current Initiatives Funded by the Maryland Development Disabilities Council
Advocacy
Enhancing Self-Advocacy and Public Policy Work
People On the Go of Maryland (POG)
POG, a group of advocates with developmental disabilities, is supported by the Council and the Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities (MCDD). The group advocates for people with developmental disabilities and educates people with developmental disabilities through leadership trainings and mentoring opportunities, and provides support and training to local self-advocacy groups. The group works to achieve improvements in policies, practices, services and laws in Maryland to ensure people with disabilities have equal rights and opportunities.
Child Care
Building Capacity through Technical Assistance
Abilities Network
This initiative provides intensive, customized technical assistance to child care providers throughout Maryland to increase their skills, knowledge, and capacity. As a result of this investment, more children with developmental disabilities and special health care needs will be in child care settings alongside children without disabilities. Abilities Network will increase the capacity of child care providers statewide using three major components: Strategy, Action, and Reflection (STAR). The project uses reflective coaching and requires the participation of child care program directors and classroom staff so the strategies learned are retained and benefit many children. By the project’s conclusion, at least 225 technical assistance sessions will be facilitated.
SIBLING SUPPORT
Sibling Conference
In-house initiative
The MD DD Council is sponsoring a Sibling Conference in collaboration with the DC Developmental Disabilities Council on March 30, 2019. The conference will address the needs to young sibs, teen sibs and adult sibs. The goal is to help siblings of people with disabilities to listen, learn and connect with each other.
Employment
Transforming and Improving Practices through Customized Technical Assistance (TIP) Grants
Round One: Appalachian Parent Association, Bay Community Support Services, CHANGE, Inc., CHI Centers, Head Injury Rehabilitation & Referral Services, Humanim & Compass (jointly funded), Itineris, Providence Center, Spring Dell Center, The Arc of Howard County, The Arc Prince George’s County, The Arc Southern Maryland, The Arc of Washington County
Round Two: Ardmore Enterprises, Bayside Community Network, Community Living, Inc., Gallagher Services, Opportunity Builders, Rehabilitation Opportunities, The Arc Baltimore, The Arc Central Chesapeake Region, The Arc Montgomery County
Round Three: Delmarva Community Services, Gallagher Services, New Horizons Supported Services/Compass, Inc., The National Center on Institutions and Alternatives (NCIA), Penn-Mar Human Services; Spectrum Supports, The Arc Northern Chesapeake Region, Jewish Community Services, The Arc Carroll County, The League for People with Disabilities, SEEC: (Seeking Employment, Equality, and Community for People with Developmental Disabilities), and Community Options.
The purpose of this initiative is to improve the employment outcomes of people with developmental disabilities by building the capacity of community service providers licensed by the Developmental Disabilities Administration. Through customized technical assistance by subject matter experts, providers will improve the way services are provided so that more people with developmental disabilities are supported to get and keep the meaningful work they want in their communities and to have meaningful days when not working. All grant recipients will participate in a learning community to share their efforts to improve employment outcomes and receive mutual peer support.
Publications: Success Stories
The publication will highlight success stories from different perspectives to address concerns of various audiences (people with disabilities, families, direct support professionals, and employers). By addressing known concerns such as safety, dignity of risk, and opportunities in rural areas, the publication will allay fears and negative perceptions and improve employment and other meaningful opportunities for people with disabilities throughout the state.
Community Supports
Raising Expectations Think Tank
The purpose of this initiative is to identify challenges and related strategies to increase expectations of people with developmental disabilities.
Leadership Development
Eastern Shore LEADers
Parents’ Place of Maryland
The purpose of this project is to provide leadership training on the Eastern Shore for parents of children with developmental disabilities and ensure ongoing engagement by participants in advocacy and leadership.
Parent Leadership Learning Parties
Ready At Five
This project will allow Ready At Five to expand its family engagement efforts by funding eight Parent Leadership Learning Parties (PLLPs) statewide designed specifically to include parents and caregivers of children with developmental disabilities and delays.
Partners in Policymaking®
The Arc Maryland
The Council is funding the Partners in Policymaking® program (Partners) to train individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to become effective advocates for long-term change Partners is the the most prominent leadership development program for individuals with disabilities and their families in the country. The Council works closely with The Arc Maryland, which manages the program through this grant and provides matching funds.
