Maryland Department of Health
Developmental Disabilities Administration

Training

​About > What's New > Training​​

The Developmental Disabilities Administration’s Training Unit provides training opportunities in all four regions of the state. These trainings are primarily free and are open to all stakeholders including people with disabilities, their families, support staff, advocates, provider agency staff, and DDA Staff. Training opportunities that are provided by the DDA, go beyond those required by regulation. Most trainings are offered in classroom or conference settings however more trainings are being offered via webinar.

The DDA is partnering with Seeking Employment, Equality and Community (SEEC) for People with Developmental Disabilities to create a comprehensive framework for competency-based training for Direct Support Professionals in Maryland.

To find out more about this process, please click below to see the memo below from Deputy Secretary Simons.

Memorandum: Creating A Comprehensive Professional Development Framework​

Quick Links:


Contact Your Lo​cal Training Representative

​Centr​al Maryland Regional Office

Do​​nna Will

    • Telephone: (410) 234-8262
    • TDD: (410) 363-9430
    • TOLL FREE: (877) 874-2494
    • FAX: (410) 234-8397
    • Address: DDA - Central Maryland Regional Office, 1401 Severn St., Baltimore, MD 21230
    • Email: Donna.Will@maryland.gov

Eastern ​Shore Regional Office

Tori Wilkerson

    • Telephone: (410) 572-5945
    • FAX: (410) 572-5988
    • Toll Free: (888) 219-0478
    • TDD: (800) 735-2258
    • Address: DDA - Eastern Shore Regional Office, 926 Snow Hill Road, Salisbury, Maryland 21804
    • Email: Tori.Wilkerson@maryland.gov

Southern​ Maryland Regional Office

None

Western Mar​​​yland Regional Office

Alison Johnston

    • Telephone: (240) 313-3864
    • Maryland Relay: (800) 735-2258
    • TOLL FREE: (888) 791-0193
    • FAX: (301) 791-4019
    • Address: DDA - Western Maryland Regional Office, 1360 Marshall Street, Hagerstown, Maryland 21740
    • Email: Alison.Johnston@maryland.gov​

​Training Resources

​​DDA Training Resources

How Do I?

Resources and Information

 PowerPoint Presentations

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External Training Resources

Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD)
AIDD seeks to improve and increase services for individuals with developmental disabilities that promote independence and inclusion in society. This website contains information on AIDD’s programs and other helpful resources, such as a developmental disabilities program directory by state and grants and funding information.

American Academy of Pediatrics
The American Academy of Pediatrics comprises pediatricians committed to the health of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. The website contains general information about children’s health, as well more specific information about guidelines, policies, and publications. This organization also hosts a website specifically for parents: HealthyChildren.org

American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD)
The AAIDD is an interdisciplinary organization of professionals and citizens working to support individuals with disabilities by promoting policy, research, and practice.

Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD)
The AUCD is a network of interdisciplinary centers advancing policy and practice for and with individuals with developmental and other disabilities, as well as their families and communities.

Building the Legacy: IDEA 2004
This website provides resources related to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Divided between information related to Part B (for those 3 through 21 years of age) and Part C (for those from birth through 2 years of age), this website offers video clips, training materials, presentations, and other helpful materials that cover a variety of topics from the Individualized Education Program to IDEA’s alignment with the No Child Left Behind Act.

Department of Education
The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) has resources to assist with the educational needs of children with developmental disabilities. The DOE’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) provides support to parents and individuals, school districts, and states in these areas:
DisabilityMeasures.org
DisabilityMeasures.org is an online resource with measurement tools for assessment, screening, and research concerning individuals with disabilities.

Disability.gov
Disability.gov offers comprehensive information on disability programs and services in communities nationwide. The site links to more than 14,000 resources from federal, state, and local government agencies; academic institutions; and nonprofit organizations.

First Signs
First Signs is dedicated to educating parents and professionals about early identification and intervention for children at risk for developmental delays and disorders, including autism.

Insure Kids Now!
Each state provides no-cost or low-cost health insurance coverage for eligible children through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. This website has basic facts about these programs. It also has links to each state's insurance program for children, where you can learn who is eligible for the programs, how to apply, and what services are covered. Information is available in English and Spanish.

International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health​(http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/icd/icf.htm)
The International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health provides a unifying framework for classifying the consequences of disease and for measuring health and disability at both individual and population levels.

MedlinePlus
MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, provides information on many different types of developmental disabilities, as well as resources on prevention and screening, research, statistics, law and policy, and more.

My Child Without Limits
My Child Without Limits provides resources for families of young children from birth through 5 years of age with developmental delays or disabilities, as well as for professionals who work with these individuals. The site also has a national resource locator where visitors can find local service providers, community organizations, and government agencies.

National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD)
The NACDD supports state and territorial councils in implementing the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act and promoting the interests and rights of individuals with disabilities and their families.

National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY)
The NICHCY serves as a source of information on programs and services for infants, children, and youth with disabilities; IDEA, the nation’s special education law; and research-based information on effective practices for children with disabilities. The website includes resource sheets that list state agencies serving children and youth with disabilities, state chapters of disability organizations and parent groups, and parent training and information projects. 

National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Several institutes within the NIH conduct and fund research about developmental disabilities. They also offer information to the public and educational programs for health professionals. They include:

​National Eye Institute (NEI)
The NEI studies ways to prevent and treat eye diseases and vision problems and to improve the lives of people with these conditions.

The NICHD conducts and supports research on all stages of human development to better understand the health of children, adults, families, and communities, including those with developmental disabilities.

The NIDCD studies hearing loss, deafness, and problems with speech and language.

The NIMH studies mental illness and behavior problems, including such conditions as autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and learning disabilities.

NINDS studies the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of brain and nervous system disorders such as cerebral palsy and epilepsy

​National Grants for Vision Care​
National Grants for Vision Care is a type of financial assistance. Government agencies or non-profit organizations typically provide them. They help cover the costs of vision care for those who cannot afford it otherwise.

PBS Parents: Children with Disabilities
Parents provides information about child development from birth through the early school years. The Children with Disabilities page covers topics such as inclusive education, assistive technology, and advocating for your child.

Special Education Guide
Special Education Guide provides easy-to-understand advice, information, and resources for parents and teachers of children with special needs.

The Arc
The Arc is a national, community-based organization advocating for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families through public policy and provision of supports and services.

The International Classification of Diseases(http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/icd.htm)
The International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) is the official system of codes for diagnoses and procedures in the United States. The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) is used internationally.
The 2013 edition of this report focuses on the situation of children with disabilities across the world.