Commissioner’s Letter/October Forums 

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is committed to keeping all stakeholders informed of the ongoing work we are doing to advance the agency’s mission and vision through upcoming DDS community forums in October.   

I invite you to join Deputy Commissioner Elisa Velardo and me for one of the Commissioner's Annual Update community forums held in October. These virtual forums will be hosted across two days at four different times to accommodate everyone’s busy schedules. Each forum will have the same format and agenda. Please see the schedule for these forums below.  If you can’t attend, don’t worry: everything will be recorded and available on the DDS website for viewing at your convenience. 

Thank you for attending our previous STEP forums in May and connecting with your case managers and support teams to learn more about STEP. Your opinions and feedback are what matters most in how we shape our agency’s path forward. I hope you’ll join the upcoming October forums to connect with leadership from DDS and the Regional offices to ask questions, share your concerns, and offer feedback.   

I encourage all individuals eligible for DDS services and their families to take the next STEP and start talking with their provider staff and case managers about STEP’s core supports for promoting and enhancing independence. Any changes to your current supports will be made carefully and with a detailed transition plan.  

During the October forums and throughout the remainder of the year, I look forward to sharing more news and details about this important work we are doing to help individuals and families DDS serves have greater independence, freedom of choice, and more opportunities to be valued members of their communities.  

Sincerely,  

Jordan A. Scheff  
DDS Commissioner 

October Forum Schedule and Microsoft Teams Information

Tuesday, October 10th from 6:00 – 8:00 PM 

Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 247 083 680 858
Passcode: PkE4so
Download Teams | Join on the web

Or call in (audio only)
+1 860-840-2075,,243577942#   United States, Hartford
Phone Conference ID: 243 577 942#

Thursday, October 12th from 9:00 – 11:00 AM

Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 266 406 875 634
Passcode: w6rHcC
Download Teams | Join on the web

Or call in (audio only)
+1 860-840-2075,,646553814#   United States, Hartford
Phone Conference ID: 646 553 814#

Tuesday, October 17th from 6:00 – 8:00 PM

Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 265 444 978 910
Passcode: jBaApU
Download Teams | Join on the web

Or call in (audio only)
+1 860-840-2075,,959238369#   United States, Hartford
Phone Conference ID: 959 238 369#

Wednesday, October 18th from 9:00 – 11:00 AM

Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 283 348 056 227

Passcode: 8zokLU
Download Teams | Join on the web

Or call in (audio only)
+1 860-840-2075,,214266713#   United States, Hartford
Phone Conference ID: 214 266 713#

STEP Regional Summer Virtual Office Hours

Each Region will be holding virtual office hours on Microsoft Teams through September where you can ask any questions, share comments or have a general conversation about STEP. This is an opportunity to talk directly to Region leadership about STEP. If you don't know what Region you are in, please visit our Town Finder to find out. 

Please click the links below to see the dates, times and links to the virtual office hours.

North Region virtual office hours 

South Regional virtual office hours

West Region virtual office hours 

Click here for the announcement about the STEP virtual summer office hours. 

   
Sincerely,
Jordan A. Scheff
DDS Commissioner

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