BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS AND CONNECTIONS FOR THE LIFE YOU CHOOSE

Eligibility Services Overview

The goal of Eligibility Services is to help people who are applying for services from the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA), as well as those who are on DDA’s waiting list for services. Eligibility Services staff help eligible students who are graduating out of the County school system to learn about and select adult services, and they also help people with the Medicaid Waiver process.

For additional information, contact Audra Schor at aschor@rcpgc.org.

Eligibility and Access
E&A Coordinators process applications for DDA services for applicants who live in Prince George’s County. Applicants must be referred by the Southern Maryland Regional Office (SMRO) of DDA.

The process generally requires an interview and copies of certain documents, and then written recommendations are made to SMRO/DDA regarding eligibility, priority status, and individual’s service needs. Resource Connections staff do not determine eligibility for services; that is done only by DDA staff.

Updates to re-assess priority status are also completed by E&A Coordinators, as are other requests related to eligibility for services.

Transitioning Youth
Transitioning Youth Coordinators work with SMRO/DDA and the Prince George’s County School System to help students who are eligible for DDA Day or Supported Employment services to enter the adult service system. They may begin contacting students and their families two years before graduation to begin connecting them with community resources (e.g. Department of Rehabilitation Services, Social Security Administration, Medical Assistance) and to guide them through the process of choosing an adult service provider.

In collaboration with several State and County entities, Transitioning Youth Coordinators help to organize and present two Transitioning Youth Informational Fairs each year, in order of offer as much education and support as families need in understanding the changes they will face as their students leave the school system. A critical “Timeline” for completing various steps in the process is presented along with a fully loaded packet of information.

Waiver Enrollment
Maryland’s Medicaid Waiver programs allow people to maximize funding levels for their services that are provided in the community. The Community Pathways and New Directions Waivers are available for people who are determined DD eligible and are authorized for specific services funded by DDA.

Resource Connections’ Waiver Enrollment Specialists provide information regarding the benefits of enrolling in one of the waiver programs (e.g., receiving Medical Assistance, Resource Coordination services), and assist with the initial enrollment, as well as maintaining enrollment status. They help with understanding and completing the waiver paperwork, and obtaining the necessary supporting documentation for enrollment. Subsequent to enrollment in the waiver, they also help with the annual Medical Assistance (MA) re-determination.

Case Management
The Case Management Program serves people who are determined DD eligible by the DDA and are on the DDA waiting list as they do not yet have DDA funding for services. Referrals for case management must be authorized by the DDA Southern Maryland Regional Office.

Case Managers provide information regarding available community resources and assist individuals with a wide variety of tasks such as filling out applications, accessing transportation to appointments, locating jobs, etc. Case Managers help individuals and their families/caregivers learn to independently navigate systems and become their own advocates whenever possible.