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Dear DDS Community,
As we head into August, I hope everyone is finding time to enjoy the summer and spend time with family and friends. While the season may feel like it is moving quickly, there is still plenty happening across our DDS community.
Our Fall Community Forums are scheduled for late September and will be an opportunity for individuals, families, providers and other members of the DDS community to connect with us, hear agency updates and share their ideas and experiences. These conversations help us better understand what is working, where challenges still remain and what matters most to the individuals and their families we support. More information is included below, and I encourage everyone who is interested to sign up and join us.
Thank you to the individuals, families, staff and providers whose ideas, experiences and commitment continue to move our work forward.
Sincerely,
Elisa Velardo
DDS Commissioner
News & Updates
The wait is over!
Our brand-new ADA-accessible playground is officially OPEN.
After four years of planning, approvals, and hard work, this beautiful inclusive playground features wheelchair-accessible equipment, sensory play, communication boards, music, swings, a merry-go-round, climbing and spinning features, and so much more.
Despite a few final touches still needed in the area, campers and guests can begin enjoying the playground this weekend and for years to come!
A heartfelt THANK YOU to DDS Central Office and Regional Leadership, DDS Business Office, DDS Maintenance Department, Kompan Playgrounds, P&J Construction, and every contractor and partner who helped bring this amazing project to life.
Forum Registration - Click the button below for the session you'd like to attend.
News from DDS Employment and Day Services Division:
Project SEARCH
DDS Employment and Day Services members Brian Gresko (Project SEARCH Statewide Coordinator) and Darrell Spears attended the 19th Annual Project SEARCH Conference in St. Louis July 13-17. They were accompanied by several DDS qualified provider staff representing Project SEARCH programs in CT.
CT was recognized as a standout, with several programs receiving awards for employment outcomes for the 2024-25 year. Mid-State ARC (Masonicare) and IMPACT (Middlesex Hospital) both celebrated for over 70% employment outcomes while LARC (Charlotte Hungerford Hospital), Abilis (Darien YMCA), FAVARH (UCONN Health) and Ability Beyond (Northwell Norwalk Hospital & Waterbury Hospital) all having 100% job placements.
If you would like to learn more about Project SEARCH, please visit Project SEARCH or contact CT Project SEARCH Statewide Coordinator Brian Gresko at brian.gresko@ct.gov.
ABLE National Resource Center
An ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) account is a savings or investment account for people with disabilities who qualify. The ABLE National Resource Center is hosting a webinar, “Make ABLE Dollars Work,” on Thursday, August 13 from 12:00–1:00pm. Guest presenter Holly Zugay from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency will explain how to make the most of your ABLE account by understanding investment options and ways to grow your savings.
To sign up for the webinar, use the registration link: August 13 Webinar – Make Your ABLE Dollars Work - ABLE National Resource Center.
CT Pathways to Integrated Employment (CT PIE), Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS)
September 30, 2026, is the last day eligible individuals can enroll in the Connecticut Pathways to Integrated Employment (CTPIE) initiative. Interested in competitive integrated employment? Now is the time to act! Please see the flyer below for more details.
Rewarding Work:
Need support for yourself or a loved one? Post your job on Rewarding Work for free!
Register and subscribe to RewardingWork.org free of charge with the access code: ctddsconnect . After subscribing, you can immediately post a job and begin recruiting qualified caregivers.
Rewarding Work isn’t just for finding in-home support. Families and individuals can also find additional support, such as from a work coach. In our recent blog, How Job Coaches Empower Employees with Disabilities to Succeed at Work , we interviewed experts on the benefits of finding a great work coach and how to find the right fit!
Start your search today and connect with the right support for your needs.
Remote Supports:
Mark Your Calendars!
DDS Sponsored Events
The value of hiring individuals with disabilities isn’t just about filling positions—it expands your talent pool, helps you reach new customers, and makes a meaningful impact on the community. There are plenty of resources to guide you through every step.
DDS Community Events
Providers, family groups, and advocacy organizations, send us your events to share: DDS.Updates@ct.gov
The Department of Developmental Services is dedicated to providing the community with informative, educational, and beneficial content, including information about free and paid events. Please note that we do not accept submissions related to fundraisers or requests for donations.
To submit content for consideration in the newsletter, please send your PDF or JPG files, along with any relevant links, to DDS.Updates@ct.gov. For more information, feel free to contact us at this email address.
