December 10, 2019
Media Contact:
Deidre McCabe, Director, Office of Communications, 410-767-3536
Maureen Regan, Deputy Director, Office of Communications, 410-767-8649
Maryland Department of Health announces new regional leadership for the Developmental Disabilities Administration
Baltimore, MD – The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) today announced new leadership for two of its regional offices. Beginning Dec. 11, Joy Martin will direct the DDA’s Central Maryland Regional Office located in Baltimore City. Nicholas Burton began directing the DDA’s Southern Maryland Regional Office located in Laurel on Dec. 4.
“DDA regional directors provide frontline leadership for our local service delivery systems,” said DDA Deputy Secretary Bernie Simons. “I’m confident that both Ms. Martin and Mr. Burton will excel in their new roles by providing comprehensive stewardship for our regional networks and the health care practitioners, service participants and families whom they support.”
Across the state, the DDA serves more than 24,000 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The DDA’s service delivery system includes both home- and community-based services and supports that are driven by five focus areas: employment, self-determination, self-advocacy, supporting families and independent living.
To provide a more localized approach to service delivery, the DDA has four regional service areas, which also include the eastern shore and western Maryland. DDA’s Central Maryland Regional Office serves 10,500 Marylanders across Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Hartford and Howard Counties, while the Southern Maryland Regional Office serves 7,500 Marylanders across Calvert, Charles, Montgomery, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s Counties.
To her new role as the Central Maryland Regional Office director, Ms. Martin brings 19 years of experience, having previously served as a division director for a Pennsylvania nonprofit organization and as manager of a 41-home community living program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Ms. Martin earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Hampton University, master’s degree in clinical counseling psychology from Chestnut Hill College and MBA from Columbia Southern University.
To his new role as the Southern Maryland Regional Office director, Mr. Burton brings 18 years of experience working as a direct support professional, service coordinator and case management supervisor for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, most recently as manager for the Children's Intensive In-Home Services Program at the Oregon Department of Human Services. Mr. Burton earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Montana and will shortly complete his Master of Public Administration with Portland State University.
For more information about the DDA, visit dda.health.maryland.gov. For more information about the DDA’s regional offices, visit https://dda.health.maryland.gov/Pages/Regional%20Offices.aspx.
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