I got a couple of reactions from DDS to my last blog post,
and both conveyed welcome information so I wanted to share the news promptly.
First, Andy Reese reached out with the new DDS
organizational chart, which you can find here:
and which he says will soon be posted to the DDS website (https://dds.dc.gov). I’ve updated my page, “Acronyms and Organizations
You Should Know,” to reflect these
changes.
Second, Erin Leveton (formerly with the State Office, now
the DDS Office of Policy, Planning and Innovation), sent reassuring words with
respect to ongoing activity in the Supporting Families Community of Practice. She let me know that the next SF CoP meeting
will take place on December 8 at DDS (250 E St. SW). According to Erin: “Topics
will include employment, the new cultural and linguistic community of practice,
update on the HCBS waiver, and hopefully a presentation by Capital Asset
Builders related to ABLE accounts + more.”
Hurray for the potential Capital Asset Builders briefing!
I’m still exploring ABLE accounts, and have been surprised that the D.C. Office
of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO), which is the designated contact point
for D.C. ABLE, hasn’t yet been able to clarify some pretty basic
questions. Still, from what I can tell
the D.C. account is a pretty solid choice.
Erin also wanted me to know that the SODA’s transformation
into the Policy office is a good thing.
She notes they’re still in the DDS director’s office, and adds: “We have added the person who
does RSA policy to my team, which is great from an Employment First
perspective.” I definitely agree with
anything that fosters DDA/RSA collaboration and helps folks find appropriate
jobs (more on that in an upcoming post!), but I’m still not buying the idea
that removing a state-level oversight office is a positive development.
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