Missouri Division of Developmental Disabilities

09/09/2026

🌟Employment First Missouri: One Question That Changes Everything🌟

When supporting someone with a disability, it's easy to begin with the services we provide, the programs we operate or the jobs that are currently available. While those are important considerations, Employment First invites us to start somewhere else.

"What would a good life look like for this person?"

That simple question shifts the conversation. Instead of fitting someone into existing services, we begin exploring their interests, strengths, relationships, preferences, and long-term goals. Employment becomes more than just finding a job. It becomes one part of building a meaningful life in the community. This week, challenge yourself and your team to pause before asking, "What can we offer?" Instead, ask "What does this person want for their future, and how can we help them get there?"

The answers may lead to new experiences, different community connections, additional skill-building, or employment opportunities that wouldn't have been considered otherwise. Even when the path isn't immediately clear, beginning with the person's vision helps ensure that planning is guided by possibility rather than availability. Sometimes a single question changes the entire direction of planning.
If you are interested in connecting with peers who share an Employment First Mission, contact our Employment First Team who can help connect you.

Employment First Missouri is presented by the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston and is funded by the Missouri Department of Mental Health.

09/08/2026

DMH Central Office showed up in many colors today to recognize national 988 day.

09/08/2026

Registration open now for the Missouri No Wrong Door (NWD) Link and Learn Series with Missouri Family to Family!

09/08/2026

Join one of the 12 ECHO learning communities this week with Missouri Telehealth Network!

Happy Labor Day!

Though we have no ECHO sessions today, this week is tremendously busy with many ECHOs relaunching.

Join one of the 12 learning communities this week.

Don't forget to submit a case. This can be a situation in your practice that you would like to bring to your peers for discussion.

Register or learn more at http://showmeecho.org

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09/08/2026

📣Did you know that, in addition to Employment First Missouri, there are additional ways for Missouri providers to engage with the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) staff?

Should you have staff who would like to certify as a Direct Support Professional (DSP), please reach out to J Gibbs at [email protected] with the Missouri Talent Pathways (MO-TAP) program to find out more on how you and your staff can get involved and enrolled.

ICI has also, in partnership with Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), developed a Customized Employment path within VR. The initial rollout of this program has begun in the Kansas City area and will soon expand to other regions across the state. For more information on Customized Employment, please reach out to either [email protected] or [email protected].

Employment First Missouri provides training and technical assistance to service providers and staff to make Missouri’s Employment First…

09/04/2026

📣DSP Recognition Week is almost here. From September 13–19, Missouri joins organizations nationwide in celebrating Direct Support Professionals—the people who help individuals with developmental disabilities live, work, and belong in their communities.
💙DSPs are the heart of this work. This week is one way we say thank you for the skill, care, and consistency they bring every day. The Missouri Division of Developmental Disabilities is also proud of MO-TAP (Missouri Talent Pathways)—our statewide registered apprenticeship that helps recruit, train, and retain Certified DSPs through earn-as-you-learn wages, mentoring, and a national credential. Mark your calendar. Follow along next week as we celebrate Missouri’s DSPs.


Learn more about MO-TAP: https://dmh.mo.gov/dev-disabilities/service-providers/talent-pathways

09/03/2026

Health Assessment and Coordination Service Survey! Please complete!

StationMD and the Division of Developmental Disabilities have partnered together to learn more about your healthcare needs and experiences with the Health Assessment and Coordination (HAC) waiver service, a telehealth program designed to provide quality healthcare to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Your response will help us identify opportunities to connect individuals and families with appropriate services and improve access to specialized support. Please complete this short survey to share your healthcare experiences and help us determine how the HAC service might benefit you and those in your care.

Survey is here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KZ59HT5

09/03/2026

Meet the voices behind this year's Great Conversations event — researchers, practitioners and community leaders who are shaping what's possible in early childhood, maternal health, aging, community inclusion, mental health and beyond on September 18th!

👀 Look who's talking!

Meet the voices behind this year's Great Conversations event — researchers, practitioners and community leaders who are shaping what's possible in early childhood, maternal health, aging, community inclusion, mental health and beyond.

Come chat with:

- Colette Canchola-Cox (Director, Missouri Family to Family)
- Maxine Henry, (Director, Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network Coordinating Office - ATTC NCO)
- Gerardo R Martinez (Director, Alianzas partnership with MU Extension)
- Danielle Chiang, Ph.D (Director, UMKC-IHD Maternal & Child Health Programs -Missouri Maternal Health Action Network - MHAN)
- Skye VanLanduyt, M.A (Lead Trainer, UMKC-IHD WeSaid at the UCEDD)
- Kelli Zerr (Barton), Ph.D. (Director, UMKC-IHD Health & Aging Programs)
- Melissa Newkirk (Director, UMKC IHD Early Childhood Innovation Center)
- Stacie Williams (Senior Training Specialist, LifeCourse Nexus)

On September 18, they'll be leading small-group, dinner-table discussions where you don't just listen — you're part of the conversation.

Tag a friend who needs to meet these folks, and reserve your seat: ihd.umkc.edu/gc

09/03/2026

Missouri Assistive Technology- Assistive Technology Reimbursement program is OPEN for the 2026–2027 school year!

Our Assistive Technology Reimbursement program is OPEN for the 2026–2027 school year! This program can reimburse public, charter, and MSSD schools for the purchase of assistive technology. To learn more, visit https://at.mo.gov/at-reimbursement-for-schools/

09/03/2026

Fresh off the press! The latest DDD Weekly from Missouri Division of Developmental Disabilities is out from 9/1/26.
Check out Director Sheila Wunning’s weekly message in the Director’s Corner about her recent experience at Real Voice Real Choices Conference, plus all the latest trainings, resources, and updates.

👉 Read it and sign up here: https://dmh.mo.gov/dev-disabilities/ddd-weekly