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.

Maryland Community of Practice for Supporting Families (CoP) will be hosting an event on June 14 at The Meeting House, Oakland Mills Interfaith Center, 5885 Robert Oliver Place in Columbia from 9 am to 3 pm. The Maryland CoP is part of a national initiative, The National Community of Practice: LifeCourse Framework, which aims to improve the supports offered to families of individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. The event is an important step towards developing supports for families of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. At the event, you will have the chance to meet with National CoP leaders and learn and discuss the Maryland Strategic Plan. Breakfast and lunch will be served during the event.

To learn more and to register, click here.

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.

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.