Maryland, in conjunction with the University of Maryland has recently received a $25,000 grant from Think College National Coordinating Center to expand and enhance the quality of college programs for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. This grant is on top of $250,000 already allocated in Governor Hogan’s budget to expand opportunities for young adults with I/DD who are transitioning out of Maryland high schools. State partners will begin planning this spring to determine the best practices and to coordinate efforts across the state.

The Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) is developing a new Family Support program to provide assistance for individuals with developmental disabilities under the age of 21 and their families. The DDA hopes to begin the program in January 2018. The federal application is now available for public review. It can be found here. Individuals are welcome to send comments on the application until July 31.

To access the services which will be provide through this program, you will need to apply to the DDA waiting list. Applications can be found here. The DDA will then access the eligibility of the individual. Click here for information on eligibility. If the individual is determined to be eligible, they will be placed on a priority category on the waiting list. The process can take up to several months, so to qualify for the program when it becomes available in 2018, now is the time to apply.

While details are still being worked out, the types of services the new program will cover most likely will include respite, support in the home and out in the community, family empowerment supports, caregiver training, assistive technology, environmental modifications, emergency response, family-to-family supports, self-advocacy supports, individual education and training, and peer-to-peer supports.

 

The Maryland Developmental Disability Administration will be accepting Random Selection Applications for the Low Intensity Support Services. Round 1 of applications will be accepted from May 1 – June 30, and will be selected on July 15. Round 2 of applications will be accepted from July 1 – October 30 and will be selected November 15. For more information, click here.