1. Bernard Simons, Deputy Secretary
Staci Jones, Statewide Career and Employment Services Coordinator
Dr. Yemonja Smalls, Director of Coordination of Community Services
Mary Anne Kane Breschi, Director of Family Supports Services

2. DDA’s Commitment
Transition Youth comprise a special category of eligibility and priority category for services.
Through the Governor's Transition Youth Initiative (GTYI), the DDA, in collaboration with the Division of Rehabilitative Services (DORS), has been able to fund supportive employment and other day services. 2

3. How does DDA support Transitioning Youth?
The DDA works with its partner agencies in the Governor's Transitioning Youth Initiative to:
Coordinate with local school systems and DORS in identifying students with developmental disabilities who will be graduating and are eligible for GTYI. 3

4. How does DDA support Transitioning Youth?
Provide outreach and information to families and students about applying to the DDA for services 4

5. How does DDA support Transitioning Youth?
Determine eligibility for DDA services while the student is still in school 5

6. How does DDA support Transitioning Youth?
Facilitate transition to DDA and other community based services. This may include referral to generic services by providing information to students, families and schools about the adult service system 6

7. How does DDA support Transitioning Youth?
Assist eligible individuals in accessing the most appropriate employment and vocational supports services by using Person Centered Thinking and Planning
Our Coordinators of Community Services 7

8. MARYLAND COMMUNITY F PRACTICE FOR SUPPORTING FAMILIES  & The LifeCourse Framework
It is a framework developed to help individuals and families of all abilities at any age or stage of life to develop a vision for a good life, think about what they need to know and do, identify how to find or develop supports, and discover what t takes to live the lives they want.
Individuals and families may focus on their current situation and stage of life but may also find it helpful to look ahead to start thinking about life experiences now that will help move them toward an inclusive, productive life in the future. 8

9. The LifeCourse Framework
Developed to help individuals and families at any age and stage of life develop a vision for a “Good Life”
Think about what they need to know and do
Identify how to find or develop supports
Discover what it takes to live the lives they want
It is a framework developed to help individuals and families of all abilities at any age or stage of life to develop a vision for a good life, think about what they need to know and do, identify how to find or develop supports, and discover what t takes to live the lives they want.
Individuals and families may focus on their current situation and stage of life but may also find it helpful to look ahead to start thinking about life experiences now that will help move them toward an inclusive, productive life in the future. 9

10. Why is this important for Transitioning Youth?
Expectations and experience build reality
How we support youth upon transition, sets the tone for their life trajectory toward the good life 10

11. Coordination of Community Services
DDA's Coordination of Community Services (CCS) assist individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and their families in learning and gaining access to resources in their community, planning for their future regarding all life domains, and accessing needed services and supports. 
Our CCS will be at the forefront of ensuring that the person and their supports are working together for a seamless transition into adult services. 11

12. Employment First & Transitioning Youth
Maryland’s is an Employment First State
A national movement and an alignment of systems that focus on the concept that:
“…all people, even people with significant disabilities or more complex support needs, are capable of full inclusion in integrated employment and community life when given the proper support.” 12

13. In everyday language…
We believe everyone that WANTS to work CAN work, if given the right supports in a setting that makes sense for the person.
And…because Employment First isn’t Employment ONLY….
When people aren’t working, they can be supported to spend time in integrated community settings engaging in activities of their choice. 13

14. Why is it important to have a stand alone initiative?
Current systems are not necessarily designed to get outcomes related to Community Membership and Competitive, Integrated Employment. This initiative focuses on changing that.
Stakeholders need education, support and a chance to be part of helping to develop the updated system.
Helps to show the State’s commitment to the Employment First principles and values. 14

15. What if someone doesn’t have a job?
Employment First is not Employment only
If someone isn’t working, they should be supported to spend time in integrated community settings around other people without disabilities and people who are not paid staff.
New integrated community-based experiences lead to opportunities that get people closer to employment.
This will look different for everyone (not cookie-cutter programming, but instead, based on Person Centered Planning)
However, if the person is of working age, the expectation should remain: Employment 15

16. State Level Initiatives
National Technical Assistance Center on Transition (NTACT)
Ken Capone: Equal Employment Act
Disability Employment Initiative (DEI)
Office of Disability Employment Policy-Employment First State Leadership Mentoring Program (ODEP-EFSLMP)
Desired outcomes- improve state level coordination of transition services leading to an increase in employment and post secondary ed outcomes for student san youth with disabilities in MD
-Ken Capone- ends use of 14 c certificates by 2020
DEI- raise capacity at 2 AJC to support people with IDD and MH
ODEP-EFSLMP-Tech assistance and resources 16

17. Employment Data Initiative
Partnering with the Institute on Community Inclusion (ICI)
Provider Individual and Comparison Reports
Maryland’s Employment Data information by Providers:
Summary Reports available 17

18. Engaging and Informing Families
Share information with families about DDA eligibility and transition services.
Work with Coordinators of Community Services (CCS) three years prior to transition.
Knowledge of waitlist categories and pertinent changes. 18

19. For more information
Staci Jones, Statewide Career and Employment Services Coordinator
Dr. Yemonja Smalls, Director of Coordination of Community Services
Mary Anne Kane Breschi, Director of Family Supports Services 19