The Maryland General Assembly completed its work for the 2017 Legislative Session and adjourned Sine Die at midnight on April 10, 2017.  The Arc Maryland, in partnership with the DD Coalition and the Governmental Affairs representatives from each local chapter, tracked, or testified on 100 bills that would have had impact on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

This Session was challenging and productive. Beginning with the start of the Session on January 11, key bills on our Public Policy Platform have been passed and signed by Governor Hogan into law.

We couldn’t have done it without our chapters and grassroots members! Thank you to all who testified, contacted and met with their legislators, attended weekly Governmental Affairs Committee meetings, and the over 700 attendees at DD Day at the Legislature. Your voices were heard!

Click here to read the full Wrap Up. 

The Arc Maryland Announces Public Policy/Advocacy Position: Director of Public Policy & Advocacy – Children and Families

 The Arc Maryland, the leading statewide advocacy organization dedicated to the rights and quality of life of children and adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and their families, seeks an experienced, creative, self-motivated individual committed to impacting public policy and services in Maryland for children and adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and their families.

The position is full-time at the office in Annapolis and includes extensive time at the state legislature in Annapolis during the Maryland General Assembly Session. Travel throughout the state to local chapters of The Arc and meetings is a requirement. The position will be required to file as a registered lobbyist with the Maryland State Ethics Commission.

The Arc Maryland’s advocacy and public policy follows the position statements of The Arc of the US. To review the position statements, click here. The Arc Maryland’s Legislative Platform can be viewed here.

Qualified individuals with disabilities and family members of individuals with developmental disabilities are encouraged to apply. Bi-Lingual Spanish applicants encouraged. EOE.

Deadline to Apply: June 15, 2017.

Submit cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to:

The Arc Maryland
130 Lubrano Drive, Suite 212
Annapolis, MD 21401

Or via email: info@thearcmd.org

 

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.