NASDDDS

Today we celebrate the 35th anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act! ⚖️ This federal civil rights law prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in everyday activities such as access to ride-share or taxi services, renting or buying a home, visiting a doctor’s office or hospital, attending school/college, entering stores, restaurants, malls, and more. The passage of the ADA was a substantial stride in making the world a more open, accessible, equitable, and inviting place for people with IDD. Let us use today and the remainder of #DisabilitiyPrideMonth as a reminder to continue seeking out new ways every day to make all spaces inviting for people with disabilities. 🌎💚 #ADAAnniversary

Check out the newest podcast release from NASDDDS' Director of Cross-Systems Strategies, Stacy Nonnemacher, PhD, discussing the importance of meeting people where they are when implementing a harm reduction approach. Dr. Nonnemacher notes, “Harm reduction can be a tool that helps minimize the impact or consequences of that behavior so that people are being as safe as possible while you and they are doing the work to build that rapport and relationship since you are in it together seeking long-term change.” This quarterly podcast series titled, A Supporter’s Toolbox, features tips and strategies for state I/DD systems to share with providers. The topics are targeted for the DSP workforce and full of information for these professionals to use daily in their work! Supporter’s Toolbox page link: https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/ec7ddh_4

Laura Vegas (NASDDDS NCI Director), Val Bradley (HSRI), Dorothy Hiersteiner (HSRI), Dr. Jen Cohen (Rutgers University), and Dr. Carol Britton Laws (University of Georgia) recently presented at the AAIDD conference in Washington DC on the State of the Workforce Survey and how workforce challenges in the field can be viewed through state level data. States can utilize this data to: to demonstrate the critical nature of the DSP workforce to policymakers and advocate for wage/rate increases; to complete legislatively mandated reporting requirements; to work with DSP councils or other groups of interested parties to develop development strategies; and/or to evaluate the efficiency of ARPA initiatives and other fiscal efforts. Check out the NCI-IDD family of surveys here: https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/gNDDN6SY

Have you seen the NASDDDS I/DD Dual Eligibility Toolkit? The toolkit is aimed at providing states information and training material to ensure state staff, supports coordinators, and direct support professionals understand how Medicare and Medicaid programs can be complementary, as well as support the education and guidance of individuals and families to navigate dual eligibility enrollment and ongoing benefits management. The work of the TA cohort set the stage for policy and program refinement through the development of this NASDDDS I/DD Dual Eligibility Toolkit. https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/eGPN4W8K

On July 14, 2025, Jeanine Zlockie, NASDDDS Director of Technical Assistance and Special Projects presented at the Summer National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities at the University of Delaware on the topic of Trends in I/DD Systems for People with I/DD. The goal of the National Leadership Consortium is to assure the quality and commitment of the next generation of leaders for government and nonprofit organizations serving people with developmental disabilities. (pictured from left to right), Nicole Jones, (Faculty), Seth Kilber, (Assistant Commissioner, Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services and the Gary Smith Scholarship Awardee), and Jeanine Zlockie, Kristen Loomis Greenidge, Caitlin Bailey, Nancy Weiss, David Ervin and Steve Eidelman (faculty).

Thank you to everyone who made the 2025 In-Person Job Fair a success! We were proud to welcome hundreds of job seekers and an impressive group of employers representing government, healthcare, nonprofits, and the private sector. It was a full day of meaningful networking, engaging discussion, and career-building connections. The event featured a dynamic lunchtime panel on workforce transition and received overwhelmingly positive feedback from both employers and job seekers. The energy in the room reflected a shared commitment to expanding access to opportunity and strengthening the workforce. A special thank you to our Alumni Leadership Network, as well as NASDDDS and Arnold Ventures for bringing this event to life. Be sure to stay connected with ADvancing States to hear about more virtual job fairs in the fall. #JobFair2025 #WorkforceDevelopment #EmployerEngagement #PublicHealthJobs #TalentAcquisition #ADvancingStates #NASDDDS #ArnoldVentures

Are you ready? The NASDDDS 2025 Directors Forum and Annual Conference will take place in Phoenix, Arizona on November 3rd through 6th! Sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities opening on July 21st! Call for sessions opening July 31st! Registration opens August 12th! New this year! Session tracks, deep dive content, and much more!! Stay tuned! Check out our highlight video from 2024!

NASDDDS was pleased to join ADvancing States on July 14th for a joint association job fair supported by Arnold Ventures. Twenty-four employers were present to meet approximately 200 job seekers in the metropolitan DC area. Complimentary headshots, resume review, job seeker tips, along with a lunch time panel of advice and resources from other professionals who have successfully transitioned from public to private sector positions were also offered. Good luck to all our job seekers! And join us as an employer or job seeker at our virtual job fairs monthly beginning in September through December.

Have you seen the NASDDDS I/DD Dual Eligibility Toolkit? The toolkit is aimed at providing states information and training material to ensure state staff, supports coordinators, and direct support professionals understand how Medicare and Medicaid programs can be complementary, as well as support the education and guidance of individuals and families to navigate dual eligibility enrollment and ongoing benefits management. The work of the TA cohort set the stage for policy and program refinement through the development of this NASDDDS I/DD Dual Eligibility Toolkit. https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/eGPN4W8K

Happy 60th Birthday, Medicaid! 🎉 For six decades, Medicaid has provided crucial healthcare access for many Americans, including children, families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities.