Events

Thanks to the generosity of the Developmental Disabilities Council ~ SSMD, partners, advisors, and trainers have been busy preparing to provide Person Centered Planning Training for people with disabilities and family members!

We are so excited to announce EXPECTATIONS MATTER ~ MY LIFE. MY PLAN. MY CHOICE. A FREE virtual Person Centered Planning Training for people with disabilities and family members.

The training was created by and for people with disabilities and their families. ALL people with ALL support needs are invited to learn. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, trainings will be online for the near future! Look forward to these trainings being offered in many accessible formats, including ASL and different languages!

Shared Support Maryland, Inc. & Maryland Developmental Disabilities Proudly Present: Expectations Matter My Life. My Plan. My Choice. on a dark blue background with various sized white, orange, coral, and magenta polka dots.

After the training, people with disabilities and family members will understand:

● Person centered planning

● Support available through the process of planning

● How to develop your plan and make it work

● Expectations for timelines and accountability

If you live in Maryland, identify as someone with a disability or a family member of someone with a disability and are interested in this free training, please sign up! Choose from 1 hour or 2 hour modules (not a progression of training).

Expectations Matter ~ My Life, My Choice, My Plan is excited to share 7 new training sessions for September and October 2020! Registrations are now (yes, finally!) open for these FREE, VIRTUAL Person-Centered Planning Trainings created by and for people with disabilities and their families. ALL people with ALL support needs are invited to learn who are living in Maryland! Please SHARE far and wide!! Register and choose from 1 or 2 hour modules. Click here and meet the Expectations Matter Trainers!

Upcoming Trainings

Thursday, November 5, 2020 from 7pm-9pm Trainers: Edward Willard and Leonard Stevens https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUude6upjsrHdeqlUBVkc8XFpGoqaL8Ar84

Saturday, November 14, 2020 from 10am-12pm Trainers: Tracy Wright and Cody Drinkwater https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMkcu-sqD0tHtbzzdMfwsan1470ouWMV6CI

Monday, November 16, 2020 from 2pm-3pm Trainers: Paz Margolis and Nahkita Evans https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwocOCppjoqGtB-cv9TEfgjQHRCoEeqBtmS

Tuesday, November 24, 2020 from 3pm-5pm Trainers: TBD https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYoce6hrTwsHdDa9iqFUc0WQir02eb-KYs0

Thursday, December 3, 2020 from 4pm-5pm Trainers: Melanie and Babette Smith https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwkf-qrrzMsHdHLZ1Swjto8fwxCpEogDq2i

Wednesday, December 9, 2020 from 10am-12pm Trainers: Pam Ford and Samantha Davis https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAofuGhrDopHtSIbbo8-gdpCY3u2jlMY96N

Saturday, December 19, 2020 from 10am-11am Trainer: Joseph Anastasio https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAvc-qvqT0oHNIYdKwV76kqZ7diOwixYVGH

Tuesday, December 22, 2020 from 6pm-7pm Trainers: Monica Evans and Amanda Frey https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIvceioqDIjEtfsQC51E3gNJgvEOj-XvlKc

Here’s what our recent attendees have said!
“I enjoyed the organizational style of the training with first-hand experiences shared.”

“Understanding “Expectation Matters” is a sure way of building competence in individuals’ abilities to advocate, plan and manage their own affairs”

“I liked that it was directed towards persons with a disability”

“Broad range of people, trainers and participants. Communication between leaders and participants was excellent.”

Thanks to the generosity of the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council we can do this!

Past Trainings

July 25, 2020 (2 Hour Training)

July 28, 2020 (1 Hour Training)

July 30, 2020 (2 Hour Training)

August 12, 2020 and August 19, 2020 (MACS)

August 17, 2020 (Partners in Policymaking)

August 18, 2020 (2 Hour Training)

If you have any questions or concerns about the training or if you need support registering, please email mylifemychoice@sharedsupportmd.org or call/text us at (240) 437-4281.

MEET OUR TRAINERS!

Having Cerebral Palsy and working with other Citizens with disabilities over thirty years, I believe everyone can and has the right to live a life directed by you. I retired from the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) as the original Director of Advocacy Supports in October 2017, and continued working on policies, and provided trainings to the Disability community, mainly on what is a Self-Directed life. People who attend the Person Centered My life, My Plan, My Choice training with me will learn, be in an interactive video conversation, and have fun. As someone who directs my life, I am living in the direction I decided to go, and in a few years fully retired.
I look forward to spending a few hours with you.

Hi, I am Crystal. I have been a Disability Rights Advocate and an Independent Living Skills Trainer since 2007. I am affiliated with many local community organizations whose mission is to improve the lives of all individuals with disability. I have family and friends that have benefited greatly from person centered planning and self-directed services. Person Centered Planning opens doors that allow one to fully express their self-identified goals and priorities. This allows for greater access and participation in life experiences that one chooses for his or herself. It creates pathways for areas of self-fulfillment that would never be an option in traditional services that do not utilize Person-Centered Planning and Self-Direction. I also have gained a wealth of resource knowledge over the years and look forward to sharing and learning together!

Mona received her Bachelors and Masters degree from the University of Maryland in special education. She has been in the education field for two decades. Her career started with her working with students who have mild to moderate disabilities, as well as general education students in several settings as a special education teacher. Later in her career, she became an IEP facilitator assisting schools in meeting federal and state timelines as well as supporting teachers to provide well written IEPs and services for their students. Her journey with special education led her to become a support broker for adults with special needs accessing waivers through DDA. Most recently in 2018, she became a special education advocate for families and students with Hayah Education Services, LLC. As an advocate, she works with families to secure appropriate IEP services for their children, as well as access resources in the community.

I’m someone who wholeheartedly believes that everyone should be in charge of their life to the greatest of their ability. Everyone, in one way or another, can communicate their likes and dislikes.

Shannon Renade Minnick was born and raised in Washington DC. As a young energetic mother Shannon moved to Maryland to start a family. Shortly after moving from DC to Maryland in 1991 at the age of 21, Shannon was in a car accident that dramatically changed her life. Although doctors told Shannon she had broken her neck and was paralyzed, they explained all the things she would most likely never do again. Shannon refused to allow her disability to be the focus of her life. For a short time, she felt uncertain, insecure, and like she had no control over her life. Then, by the GRACE of GOD, and with a supportive network of family and friends, she was able to take charge and turn her life around. Shannon began to challenge herself to get better and to become a role model for others who are living with disabilities. Here she is, 29 years later, striving to live life to the best of her abilities. Shannon is a mother of two fabulous young ladies, Akia 30 and Erika 22. After working hard to build a stable and satisfying life for her daughters and herself, Shannon decided it was time to actively reach out to her disabled community. It is her mission to help others, who still feel like they can’t achieve a fulfilling and active life with a disability. She strongly believes increasing the awareness and use of health and social services will improve the level of community participation, integration and quality of life for the individual.

She moved on to earning a degree from Montgomery College, and became the spokesperson in an advertising campaign for the college and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. Later she became the SCI Navigator at Medstar National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH), has started a campaign advocating for physical exercise for disabled individuals and has stared in NRH How to Videos on You Tube Quad can Cook. Shannon is also Ms. Wheelchair MD 2010 and the assistant coordinator of the Ms. Wheelchair MD organization, the coordinator for Ms. Wheelchair District of Columbia and hosts the United Spinal DC Chapter Support Group. While holding the as Ms. Wheelchair MD 2010 she founded and organized the Disabilities Awareness Experience to educate individuals with and without disabilities, Co founder Women on Wheels Support Group to empower women with disabilities and started an Annual Holiday Party for teens living with disabilities. Shannon has dedicated her life to advocating for the disability community. She is currently the Director of Independent Living Services at Independence Now one of the state of Maryland’s Centers for Independent Living. She serves on the Inter-agency Transition Council for Youth with Disabilities, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute Committee, Spinal Cord Injury Consortium Board and Governor’s Advisory Board for Telecommunications Relay.

During Shannon’s spare time she enjoys: snow skiing, water skiing, dancing, movies, planning events, but most of all helping others live to their fullest potential.

“We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort.” — Jesse Owens

Cynthia has worked with the DD population in Maryland for over thirty years. It is her passion, as well as career choice. For over a decade she has served as Support Broker for individuals across the state of Maryland, and founded ESB, LLC (Easter Shore Brokers). Since its inception other brokers have joined to help even more participants with their journey through Self-Directed Services, and Person Centered Planning. Cynthia is a lifelong resident of Worcester County, Maryland. She began her journey with advocating for her disabled son. She has always strived to promote choice and inclusion. She is very passionate about Person Centered Planning and is excited for the opportunity to share her knowledge with others.

James currently works as a Support Broker with ESB, LLC., an Eastern Shore based Support Brokerage. James has been a Broker for two years, helping individuals obtain goals through Self-directed Services, and Person Centered Planning. He has been an advocate for many, including his own brother. After attending West Virginia Wesleyan College, he returned to his hometown in Worcester County, Maryland, to continue serving the DD population in our state. He is excited for the opportunity to share his knowledge of Person Centered Planning.

Hello my name is Monica Evans, I am from Howard County MD. I like to play special Olympics sports like tennis, swimming, basketball, soccer, and skiing. I also likes to be exercising with my parents, with my job coaches likes going to the outside parks, the Columbia Associations gyms, the neighborhoods, the Columbia mall, my house in the backyard, also in the front yard of my house. I like to be getting my steps like by walking, running, the treadmills, going on hikes, going to the Columbia Associations pools, just to names a few of exercises.

I chose to be a trainer to share my skills.

Melanie Smith lives with her family in Garrett County. She has been self-directing her life for the past seven years and is rocking the “Boss Life”. She loves sparkly shoes, camping, and has just added fishing to her list of favorite activities.

Babette Smith is a Garrett County native who resides there with her husband, two daughters, four dogs, six cats, and two chickens. She is a Support Broker, the facilitator of GC’s Community of Practice Good Life Group, and a Charting the LifeCourse Ambassador. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and gardening.

My name is Kara Jones – friends call me Nicci. I am a sergeant at arms of Project ACTION! in Washington, DC and a member of the Women’s Peer Knowledge Group. I enjoy meeting and talking with people.

Joseph F. Anastasio, (LCSW-C) Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Delaware and Maryland:
Joseph is currently a psychotherapist providing clinical services to children, adults, couples and families in Delaware. He is also a trained facilitator with the “Alternatives to Violence Project” (AVP) in the Delaware prison system. Joseph recently completed a position as the “Transition Coordinator – School to Work” for Baltimore City Schools, working with older youth with disabilities and IEPs. Before assuming this role, Joseph worked for The Arc Baltimore as Assistant Executive Director of Family & Children Services and also as the Director of Residential Services. During this time, Joseph has also provided psychotherapeutic services to youth, adults and couples. He has taught courses in special education at various local colleges in Baltimore and volunteered in Baltimore City as a trained mediator. He has facilitated workshops on grief and bereavement, informed consent and working with families. Joseph heralds from New York City, where he received his MS in Special Education from Hunter College, and also holds an MSW from the University of Maryland School Of Social Work. Being raised in Brooklyn, he is always on the look-out for the quintessential slice of pizza.

Thelma is a strong self-advocate who has trained locally and across the country on a variety of topics including supported decision-making, speaking up for yourself, and more. She enjoys training and educating other people. She wants to make sure everyone can get information they can use to live their best life. Thelma also enjoys being a mentor to self-advocates who are just learning to speak out. She is passionate about speaking up for people who do not use words to communicate. Thelma believes that all people have something to say, but many people don’t want to take the time to get to know them and learn what their expressions mean.

Thomas is a strong communicator and self-advocate who is passionate about helping others to be the best they can be. He loves learning new things and sharing it with other self-advocates, his friends and neighbors. Thomas believes that if you are not part of change; you can’t complain when things go wrong. He lives out the Project ACTION! motto which is, “Nothing about Us, Without Us!” Thomas is committed to doing whatever he can do to make a difference in people’s lives as well as in his own life. He is an actor with Players Unlimited, a local theater group and he loves attending plays. He enjoys travelling, going to the movies and trying new things whenever he can.

Patti is the proud mother of three adult children, Emma, Adam, and the late Ethan Saylor. She owns Health Link LLC, a Nursing Consultation and Case Management company. Patti has been working for individual’s self directing their support services since the inception of Self-Directed Services in Maryland. She has extensive experience as a health educator and is a Master Trainer for Niagara University’s First Responder Disability Awareness Program. Patti continues as a Steering Committee Member of the Ethan Saylor Alliance for Self Advocates as Educators.

Patti believes and practices Person Centered Planning and more specifically she believes – with the right supports everyone can have the life they wish for themselves.

Tracy lives in Montgomery County with her four children Robert, Sean, Keira and Karen. She received her associate’s degree from Montgomery College in General Studies in 2002. After graduating from Maryland Partners in Policymaking Ms Wright was hired by The Arc Maryland and worked for over 15 years. During her tenure Tracy has designed and presented training on self-determination, self-advocacy, rights, risk taking, and quality for both people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the professionals who support them. She was a Project Coordinator for the Self Advocacy Network (SAN) Peer Mentoring. She designed and presented mentoring to individuals residing in state residential centers at the Holly Center (Eastern Shore) and Potomac Center (Western Maryland) where the project did outreach about choices in the community. She was the lead SAN mentor with peer mentors during the closure of the Rosewood Center in Baltimore. She now is a Voting Advocate for Disability Rights Maryland, Lead Trainer and Advocacy Specialist for People On the Go and a Life Enrichment Consultant for By Their Side Maryland.

Samantha Davis is 25 years old and was diagnosed with Autism when she was four years old. She grew up in Cambridge Maryland attending local public and private schools. In addition, she received intensive speech therapy and tutoring throughout her school years, graduating from high school in 2013. During this time, Samantha found a passion for baking, in particular cupcakes. After high school she pursued a Culinary Arts degree from WorWic Community College. In May 2019 she graduated with honors and was selected to deliver the student commencement speech at graduation. Another passion of Samantha’s is Shakespeare and acting. She has been a member of Shore Shakespeare Company for four years performing in a variety of roles. Currently, Samantha is building her baking business, acting in local plays, volunteering at her local library two days a week, serves as a lector for her church and is very interested in expanding her advocacy work in the disability community.

Nahkita Evans and Paz Margolis — **Nahkita Evans & Paz Margolis**

Shared Support Maryland sincerely thanks the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council for the Grant Award making these opportunities possible! We could not have done this without the help of our partners, advisory group, and trainers.

This project was supported, in part by grant number CFDA 93.630, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy.