Medicaid Matters Maryland, a statewide coalition dedicated to the protection, expansion and improvement of the Medicaid program, will host an Affordable Care Act (ACA) Workforce Development Forum on April 23, 9 AM – 4 PM, at the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Jewish Community Center, 5700 Park Heights Ave., Baltimore 21215.  The forum will examine Maryland’s preparedness to serve thousands of new health care consumers generated by the ACA implementation, including those in long-term care or assisted living, and people with all types of disabilities living in the community.  Lunch will be served and the event is free but registration is required.  Please visit the link for more details:  http://www.medicaidmattersmd.org/action-alerts.html.

The world renowned Dr. Temple Grandin will appear on on TalkRadio 680 WCBM AM’s INSIGHT ON disABILITY program this Sunday, April 14, 2013 at 7 PM along with Dr. Vincent Culotta, head of Neurobehavioral Associates in Columbia, MD, for an in-depth discussion on the release of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5).  Dr. Grandin & Dr. Culotta will share their expertise on this highly controversial topic and try to make it easier to understand.  Also participating will be Rebecca Rienzi of Pathfinders for Autism, Pattie Gerlach Archuleta of Parent’s Place, and Rhonda Greenhaw of the Hussman Center for Adults with Autism.  People outside the Baltimore area can listen live on the website: www.insightondisability.com.

The following agencies have asked MDLC for assistance publicizing job opportunities.  Please contact the agencies directly with any questions.  *Note: MDLC does not have any vacancies at this time.

Independent Living Specialist: IMAGE Center, Baltimore MD

Independent Living Specialist: Independence Now, Montgomery County MD.   Applications due April 5, 2013

Administrative Assistant/ Receptionist:  Maryland Nonprofits, Baltimore MD

The connection between having a mental health disability and propensity for violence is much weaker than most people believe.  Get the facts!

Join Maryland Disability Law Center, Developmental Disabilities Coalition, Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council, Maryland Association of Community Services, People on the Go of Maryland, and The Arc Maryland for DD Day at the state legislature in Annapolis.  This year’s event will be held on February 19th at the Loews Annapolis Hotel and is free, but registration is required by February 15th (use link below).

http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e6w16s123877ea53&llr=6tlvi8cab

From our allies at Medicaid Matters:

Maryland ADAPT and Medicaid Matters! Maryland are about to show Maryland Medicaid the love. On Feb. 14 at noon, consumers, advocates, legislators and state officials will rock Lawyers Mall in front of the Statehouse in Annapolis at the “Have a Heart for Maryland Medicaid” celebration, from noon to 12:35

Maryland’s Medicaid budget for community services has been under siege while institutional budgets have been increased.  This year, the disabilities community needs legislators to have a heart for those who depend on Medicaid’s life saving benefits and services. 

The Have a Heart for Maryland Medicaid campaign is part of a national day of celebration and education about the program. Advocacy groups around the country will host events that demonstrate how much they cherish a program that allows them to lead independent and fulfilling lives. 

Cupid will pump up the crowd in Annapolis, many of whom know Medicaid’s value personally. Individuals will have a chance to have their “My Medicaid Matters to me because…” story recorded for posting. [note: Volunteers welcome/requested]

Right after the rally, educational Valentines will be distributed to the entire Maryland legislature.

This event will take place rain, snow, shine, or bitter cold, as long as public transportation is running. Please see the attached flyer  for Mobility paratransit drop off/pick up information.

Organizations interested in participating should call Cheryl @ 301-758-4473 or email haveaheartmaryland@gmail.com so that we bring enough materials. If you would like to be a sponsor and have your logo on the Valentines, let us know at haveaheartmaryland@gmail.com by Thursday February 7th.

www.mdlclaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Have-a-Heart-Rally-Flyer-2-14-2013.pdf

This article contains information about a series of on-line career fairs for people with disabilities:  http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/1/prweb10373069.htm. 

Sponsored by Think Beyond the Label and Brazen Careerist, the fairs involve some of the country’s major employers, and the first one is scheduled on March 5.  There will be 3 additional fairs held later in 2013.  It’s easy to register and participate; take a look!

ACTION ANNAPOLIS on Tuesday, Jan. 29 is the chance for mental health consumers and their supporters to advocate and educate!  We meet at St. Anne’s Parish Hall at 9 AM for the legislative briefing.  Please bring your photo ID and nothing that will hold you up at security because we are going to visit legislators in their offices afterward.  We will ask for their support for mental health legislation and services.  Finally, there will be a rally for mental health on Lawyer’s Mall at noon. Come work with other advocates and bring a friend!  Prepare by thinking about the mental health issues you care about most.  Contact Sarah Rhine at MDLC with any questions: 410.727.6352.

A partnership between the Maryland Department of Disabilities (MDoD) and University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), the SUCCESS program enables Marylanders with intellectual disabilities to develop their independence, critical thinking, problem-solving and employment skills in a university setting.

Please join MDoD and UMBC for a SUCCESS Program Open House on January 25, 2013 from 9:30 – 11 a.m. Get an overview of the program, have your questions answered and take a brief tour of the campus.

Read the SUCCESS brochure for more information.  Reservations can be made by contacting Nan Brittingham at MDoD: 410-767-3948 or nbrittingham@mdod.state.md.us

Create a more just and inclusive society with Maryland Disability Law Center (MDLC) by participating in Giving Tuesday on November 27 – and double your money.  MDLC’s unique and specialized advocacy assists people with disabilities who would otherwise have nowhere to turn.  Our clients need your help! 

In response to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday is intended to harness the power of the community to help those less fortunate.  Your Giving Tuesday donation to MDLC “buys” justice for at-risk people with disabilities and will also be doubled.  The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation generously offered MDLC a $50,000 challenge grant.  When you help MDLC meet this challenge, you receive a dollar-for-dollar match that allows us to reach more people with disabilities in need.  We cannot do it without your support!

To make an online donation, please use the “donate” button on our home page:  www.mdlclaw.org. 

The following is just one example of the kind of help MDLC can provide with your generous donation: 

MDLC helped “Daniel,” a young man with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy who was stuck in Children’s National Medical Center, find his way from a facility into a community home.  The State had previously approved Daniel’s placement in a group home but revoked that plan once he needed a tracheotomy and ventilator and therefore, nursing or trained caregivers.  A history of neglect in his family home ruled out that option.  A family that had two adult children with the same diagnosis and care needs was willing to provide Daniel a home, and this is what he wanted.  However, the State refused to allow this plan, raising a series of legal and practical obstacles.  Over MDLC’s objection, Daniel was moved to a nursing facility.  MDLC advocated for Daniel over several months to resolve every obstacle and develop a plan and budget for him to move into the home he chose, where he would be empowered to direct his trained caregivers.  With MDLC’s skill and persistence, Daniel was discharged from the nursing facility.  Beyond the positive result for Daniel, MDLC turned this case into an opportunity to educate the State on the possibilities under Maryland law for individuals with disabilities who retain cognitive capacity to direct their own care and receive Medicaid waiver funding for non-nurses to provide skilled care.