Support Broker Initial Certification Training

June 5 & 6, 2018 - Salisbury, MD

(venue will be announced at a later date)

The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) is sponsoring a one and a half day Initial Support Broker Training on June 5 & 6, 2018 for people who want to receive their certification to provide Support Broker services to those in the Self-Directed Service option of the Community Pathways Waiver. Those that are interested and prepared to work as a Support Broker are welcome to attend. This is not a general information session for those wanting to learn or learn more about Self-Directed Services, rather it is a training that will lead to certification as a Support Broker.

Self-Directed Services allow people who have an intellectual or developmental disability (and meet waiver eligibility requirements) to choose and design their own waiver services and supports with the assistance of their chosen team and within the guidelines of the program.

People using Self-Directed Services can design their own services, interview and hire their own staff, and are the employer. As the employer of record, participants can set their own payment rates, benefits and employee’s schedules to meet their needs and wishes. Self-Directed Services gives people with disabilities the opportunity to have more control of their own lives.

A Support Broker acts as a human resource support (agent of the person) to assist a participant to make informed decisions, as the employer, what will work best for the participant. A Support Broker may assist with day-to-day management of employees and assist with ongoing employer decisions associated with self-direction. A Support Broker does not control or allocate resources and they do not provide services.

A Support Broker believes that any person can direct their services with a unique-to-them amount of support in doing so, regardless of level of disability, medical needs or other circumstance.

Some of the major roles and responsibilities of a Support Broker are to support a person to learn about and exercise their employer and budget authority. This may involve, assisting individuals in determining the supports they need, supporting a person to their plans, supporting a person to hire and manage their employees and assisting in connecting people to resources and others.

Initial Support Broker Training certification is obtained by registering for the course, completing pre-training course work and a pre-test (Passing the pre-test will confirm your seat in the course), attending the entire 1 � day session and passing a post-test. Training attendees that are confirmed for the course will receive the course materials electronically prior to the first day of training for self printing or use on electronic device during the training. Paper copies will not be furnished.

Those needing accommodations (ASL, Spanish, large font materials, etc.) must indicate need when registering. If course is full, priority is given to those who have already been hired by a person in or entering Self-Directed Services.

Certification is valid for 2 years.