State of Connecticut Department of Developmental Services

Fall 2023 DDS Community Forums

To all DDS Stakeholders:
 
The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is committed to keeping all stakeholders informed of the work the agency is doing to advance our mission and vision through upcoming community forums in October.

I invite you to join me and Deputy Commissioner Elisa Velardo for the Commissioner's Annual Update community forums in October. The virtual forums will be recorded, and each will follow the same format and agenda. The forums will be hosted across two days at four different times to accommodate everyone’s busy schedules. Please see the schedule and links to join for these forums below.

  • Tuesday, October 10th from 6:00 - 8:00 PM
  • Wednesday, October 11th from 9:00 - 11:00 AM
  • Tuesday, October 17th from 6:00 - 8:00 PM
  • Wednesday, October 18th from 9:00 - 11:00 AM

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 matter most in how we shape our agency’s path forward. I hope you’ll join these October forums to connect with DDS leadership and Region leadership 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 these core supports that can promote and enhance independence. Any changes to your current supports will be made carefully and with a detailed transition plan.

STEP's core support options:

  1. Self-Direction 
  2. Community Companion Home (CCH) 
  3. Supportive Housing 
  4. Individualized Home Support (IHS)
  5. Assistive Technology 
  6. Remote Support
  7. Employment

During these 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 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#
 
Wednesday, October 11th 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#
 
Previous Regional Forums
 
Video and Presentation Slides from the May 2023 Forums:

Assistive Technology and Remote Supports

Self-Direction

Employment

Residential

Question & Answer Regional Forums:

South Region

Individuals & Families - January 11, 2023 https://youtu.be/G7l0x2Yb3OA

North Region

Individuals & Families - February 1, 2023 https://youtu.be/qVKNfumJgtg

Individuals & Families - February 8, 2023 https://youtu.be/dsPZAL87Wis

West Region

Individuals & Families - January 25, 2023 https://youtu.be/n3WET_qstbw