LA PLATA, MD (March 11, 2015) – Spring Dell Center was one of six Maryland organizations selected to participate in the Employment First State Leadership Mentoring Program (EFSLMP), an initiative of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). Maryland is one of 15 core states selected in to participate in the ODEP mentoring program which will provide intensive onsite and virtual technical assistance to developmental disabilities providers interested in effective practices to increase integrated employment opportunities for Marylanders with developmental disabilities.
“Maryland is committed to improving employment options and outcomes for people with disabilities,” said George P. Failla, Jr., Acting Secretary, Maryland Department of Disabilities. “This project demonstrates the importance of coordination and collaboration between State agencies, the U.S. Department of Labor, and community based providers all across our State to realize our goal that employing people with disabilities is good business.”
The Maryland Department of Disabilities, along with its partner agencies – the Maryland State Department of Education Division of Rehabilitation Services, Developmental Disabilities Administration, Behavioral Health Administration, Medicaid, and the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, identified the organization for the ODEP leadership mentoring initiative. As part of the program, the organization must commit to either transforming from predominately facility-based day and work programs to service delivery models focused on integrated employment and other community-based outcomes; or to strengthening their existing business models of integrated employment and community-based services by building the skills of staff and improving internal operations.
“Spring Dell Center is very excited to have been chosen and eager to get started,” says Spring Dell Center Executive Director Donna Retzlaff.
Provider transformation will focus on developing an action plan that may include elements such as funding diversification, cost-modeling, staff decentralization and operational reforms essential to transitioning from facility-based, segregated services to provision of competitive, integrated employment services. Selected providers will receive training, ongoing coaching and mentoring for front-line and mid-level staff in effective practices that lead to improved integrated employment outcomes.