Community Living
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HealthMatters, Maryland! is a health promotion initiative aimed at improving health and health promotion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) throughout the state of Maryland. The Maryland Department of Disabilities (MDOD) has partnered with the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Developmental Disabilities and Health (RRTCDD) at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) to coordinate and establish Communities of Practice for Health aimed at those with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Maryland.

Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) on average experience increased chronic health conditions beginning in their mid-20s; and, may lack control over environments and practices that impact their health. Research evidence supports the benefits of targeted health promotion programs and training, such as the 12-Week HealthMatters! Program. The next step is to test models that support changes within state and community based organizations' (CBOs) which could sustain evidence-based health promotion programs in the communities where people with I/DD live, work, and play.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

We are looking for motivated people in organizations which provide community living services to people with I/DD in Maryland to participate in this initiative. Applications will be accepted periodically throughout the scale up.  Each organization will need to devote the staff to make up a team which includes but is not limited to: two (or more) staff leaders and a HealthMatters Team Coordinator who will ultimately become Certified Instructors to teach 12-week HealthMatters Program to people with I/DD.​

Find out more about participating in Health Matters! Maryland at this LINK

The following community based organizations serving those with intellectual and developmental disabilities are participating in Health Matters Maryland!:

 

Spring 2017 scale up:

  • CHI Centers
  • Creative Options
  • Humanim
  • Langton Green
  • Melwood Horticulture and Training Center
  • Opportunity Builders, Inc.
  • Providence Center
  • The Arc Carroll County

 

Fall 2017 scale up:

  • Bay Area CIL
  • Change, Inc.
  • Compass, Inc.
  • Easter Seals
  • The Arc Washington County
  • Worcester County Developmental Center​