February 15, 2023
Media Contact:
Chase Cook, Acting Director, Office of Communications, 410-767-8649
PHOTO RELEASE: Maryland Department of Health hosts People and Family Forum to empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families
Baltimore, MD – The Maryland Department of Health’s Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) today hosted the People and Family Forum to empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families by providing a platform for attendees to help shape the DDA’s person-centered planning process. The event included brainstorming sessions, an interactive resource fair and a panel discussion containing family members of three DDA participants.
DDA Deputy Secretary Bernie Simons addresses attendees at the People and Family Forum, held at the Owen Brown Interfaith Center in Columbia, Maryland.
DDA Deputy Secretary Bernie Simons emphasized the importance of family involvement in its person-centered planning process. “Your input and experience are critical to how we expand and enhance our services,” said Deputy Secretary Simons. “Your advocacy has helped us to expand our family support team, integrate the Charting the LifeCourse framework into person-centered planning, and have a robust family community of practice.”
Maryland attendees meet various agencies represented at the People and Family Forum resource fair.
Panelists discuss their successes using the DDA’s person-centered planning process.
The DDA’s person-centered planning process is based on the principles of the Charting the LifeCourse framework, which is guided by the core belief that all individuals have the right to live, love, work, play and pursue their own life aspirations.
For more information about the DDA, visit health.maryland.gov/dda
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The Maryland Department of Health is dedicated to protecting and improving the health and safety of all Marylanders through disease prevention, access to care, quality management and community engagement.
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