April 2017 Monthly News and Updates
Employment Data Collection
As a reminder, the next Employment Data Collection cycle for providers will any 2 week period in the month of May. Deadline for entering the May data will be July 3, 2017.
As a reminder, beginning in October of this year, all data will be available to the public. A brief introduction to the new Data System site will occur during the first 15 minutes of the April Employment First Webinar 4/21 at 10am.
Employment First State Leadership Mentoring Program updates
The Developmental Disabilities Administration remains committed to supporting provider agencies in building capacity regarding the principles of Employment First and Community Integration by sharing resources and providing Technical Assistance. Over the last few years, Maryland has been fortunate to receive Technical Assistance from the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) through their Employment First State Leadership Mentoring Program (EFSLMP).
2017’s EFSLMP Technical Assistance is accessible to all providers through a combination of four (4) monthly webinars and two (2) in-person quarterly Employment First gatherings. (Link to Deputy Secretary Simons’ memo and webinar and gathering dates here)
- Employment First Leadership team update
- Shout outs to providers
- Share stories
- Regional CoP
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
Things we would like to highlight:
- Self-employment
- Use of technical assistance
- Creative supports and services for people with medical or personal care needs
- Stories about community membership
- Creative organizational structures, policies, trainings or service models
Want more information about Employment First?
Go to DDA’s Employment First Page
Save the Dates
Register by clicking on links as they are posted on DDA training calendar
Employment First State Leadership Mentoring Program Training Series
April 21, 2017 10:00am-12:00pm- Webinar #1 (Provider transformation and self-assessment)
May 19, 2017 10:00am-12:00pm- Webinar #2 (Self-assessment continued)
June 16, 2017 (location TBD) all-day in-person mentoring meeting (bring your self-assessments)
July 21, 2017 (10:00am-12:00pm- Webinar #3 (Using self-assessment to build action plans)
August 18, 2017 (10:00am-12:00pm- Webinar #4 (Part two of building action plans)
September 15, 2017 (location TBD) all-day in-person mentoring meeting (bring your action plans)
DDA Employment First Summit
October 13, 2017(location TBD) all-day in-person update and technical assistance meeting