Governor’s Transitioning Youth Initiative (GTYI) & Developmental Disabilities Administration 2009

1. Governor’s Transitioning Youth Initiative (GTYI)&Developmental Disabilities Administration2009

2. Objectives • Participants will increase their knowledge about; • Governor’s Transitioning Youth Initiative • DDA • Eligibility • Employment First! • DDA Employment and Day Services

3. Governor’s Transitioning Youth Initiative 2009 marks the 20th anniversary of the Governor’s Transitioning Youth Initiative (GTYI)!

4. What is GTYI? • A partnership between the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) and the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA), to demonstrate that all students with disabilities can work and contribute to Maryland’s future after leaving school.

5. Purpose GTYI • Demonstrate the students with the most significant disabilities can work and contribute to their communities and Maryland’s economy. • Create a seamless transition from school- based work experiences to DORS short term employment services needed to develop a job and learn the skills required of the new job and then to DDA for long term employment services necessary to maintain employment and advance in their chosen field.

6. GTYI Eligibility • To be eligible for funding through the Governor's Transitioning Youth Initiative (GTYI) the individual must be determined to have a “developmental disability,” as defined. • Additionally, the student is eligible for DDA transitioning youth funding from the end of the school year in which he/she turns age 21. If the date of graduation is after the individual's 21st birthday, the individual shall continue to be eligible for one year after the date of graduation. * The person is eligible to receive “Day” services only.

7. What is the DDA? • The Developmental Disabilities Administration provides a coordinated service delivery system so that individuals with developmental disabilities receive appropriate services oriented toward the goal of integration into the community. • A provider of services to individuals with intellectual disabilities in State Residential Centers, (SRC). • A voluntary service • A funder of last resort

8. Facts About the DDA The Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) • Provides funding for services and supports to over 23,000 individuals with developmental disabilities in Maryland. • Has 4 Regional Offices that facilitate the delivery of services. • Provides services through a network of approximately 200 service providers.

9. Facts about the DDA Values… • People with developmental disabilities: • Direct their lives • Have viable support options • Have information to make decisions

10. Key Players in DDA Services • DDA Headquarters Office – Develops policies, regulations, operating procedures, and oversight for services and funding. • DDA Regional Office - Determines eligibility and funding for services. Regionally, oversees quality of services. • MAPS-MD – DDA contractor that determines a level of need for the individual. • Resource Coordinator- Assists families and individuals with locating and obtaining services. Also provides advocacy. • Provider - Offers services and supports to the family and individual specific to their needs and interests.

11. Access and Eligibility • When planning for the future of youth with developmental disabilities, the DDA strongly recommends that people consider accessing generic resources and services that are available to any person with a disability. • To allow adequate time to determine eligibility for DDA services and to plan fiscally for the future, the DDA suggests that individuals apply for services by at least age 14. • Anyone can make a referral for services on behalf of a person with a developmental disability, including the person themselves. • An application form must be completed and submitted to the local DDA regional office. The application can be obtained through the local DDA regional office or visit the DDA website at www.ddamaryland.org

12. Access and Eligibility • DDA services are not an entitlement; • Individuals must apply and be determined eligible for DDA services, and; • Services are offered based on the availability of funding. * Note: children who are currently receiving services through various waivers, i.e., autism waiver, are not automatically eligible to receive DDA services. They must be determined eligible and funding must be available.

13. Access and Eligibility Determination of Eligibility • The DDA has two eligibility criteria; “Developmental Disability,” and “Support Services – only.”

14. Access and Eligibility “Developmental Disability”, means a severe chronic disability of an individual that: • Is attributable to a physical or mental impairment, other than the sole diagnosis of mental illness, or to a combination of mental and physical impairments; • Is likely to continue indefinitely; • Is manifested before the age of 22; • Results in an inability to live independently without external support or continuing or regular assistance; and • Reflects the need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary, or generic care, treatment, or other services that are individually planned and coordinated for the individual.

15. Access and Eligibility “Support Services – Only” means an individual that has a severe chronic disability that is: (a) Attributable to a physical or mental impairment other than a sole diagnosis of mental illness, or to a combination of mental and physical impairments; and (b) Likely to continue indefinitely. *People in this eligibility category: • Are not eligible to receive services through DDA’s Home and Community Based Waivers, including transitioning youth services • May choose to use their allocated funding (if applicable) for job coaching services

16. Services for Transitioning Youth • Supported Employment • Employment Discovery & Customization • Community Learning Services • Traditional Day Habilitation Most Integrated Least Integrated

17. Employment First DDA services are; • Predicated on the belief that all individuals with developmental disabilities CAN work! when given opportunity, training, and supports that build on an individual's strengths; • Provided in the most integrated environment, and; • Provided in accordance with the individual’s plan of care, developed through a detailed person-centered planning process that assesses most integrated setting and addresses goals to existing barriers to community integration.

18. Employment First • Work creates: • Individual worth -Self-esteem- Pride • Respect • Greater sense of independence • Empowerment • Opportunity to be part of the community • MONEY! • It’s what adults are expected to do!

19. Recap!! We need to ensure that individuals with disabilities move successfully from the role of student to the role of citizen and worker.

20. DDA Contact Information • Central Maryland Regional Office ---- 410-234-8200(Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Harford County, Howard County) • Eastern Shore Regional Office ---- 410-334-6920(Caroline County, Cecil County, Dorchester County, Kent County, Queen Anne's County, Somerset County, Talbot County, Wicomico County, Worcester County) • Southern Maryland Regional Office ---- 301-362-5100(Calvert County, Charles County, Montgomery County, Prince George's County, St. Mary's County) • Western Maryland Regional Office ----- 301-791-4670(Allegany County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Garrett County, Washington County) Website: www.ddamaryland.org