LOOKING FOR ASSISTANCE
The Health Care Authority’s mission is: We ensure that New Mexicans attain their highest level of health by providing whole-person, cost-effective, accessible, and high-quality health care and safety-net services.
Community Inclusion
Community Inclusion (CI) is the umbrella term used by the Developmental Disabilities Supports Division (DDSD) to describe equal, diverse, and inclusive, opportunities for individuals with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD) to access and participate in activities, employment, and functions of community life. Each waiver offers services that support employment and day services.
Employment First and Informed Choice
Since 2016, DDSD has established procedures for supporting working age adults to have access to competitive integrated employment.
Employment opportunities are the preferred service in New Mexico to increase community integration and contribution. Every person has the right and ability to work given opportunity, access and informed choice.
Access to competitive integrated employment enables the person to engage in community life, control personal resources, increase self-sufficiency, and is a proven method for creating community inclusion, equality, diversity, identity, status, and roles.
Day Services
Each waiver offers services that support day services. Day services for adults are designed to:
- Promote increased independence.
- Reduce reliance on paid supports over time.
- Build and strengthen interpersonal relationships.
- Encourage participation in social networks with non-disabled peers.
- Support full inclusion in community life.
Transition Services
Transition services are a coordinated set of activities designed to help a child move from school to post-school activities/supports, including employment. DDSD is committed to supporting young adults and families with transitioning from school to Home and Community Based Waiver Supports. DDSD collaborates with other state entities such as school systems, NM Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and contracted providers to assure that support needs of the young adult are being met and all involved are committed to successful outcomes.
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Technical Assistance
DDSD Community Inclusion Coordinators at the DDSD Regional Offices are available to assist with developing new ideas and breaking down barriers for individuals with developmental disabilities to build a personalized, diverse, equal and inclusive community role.
Technical assistance requests can come from an individual, providers, and our community partners.
DDSD providers may choose to submit a Regional Office Request for Assistance (RORA) using the link and forms available via the Regional Office website. RORA’s are not the first step in requesting assistance.
For immediate support, you can reach out to the Community Inclusion team directly.
Contact Information
Community Inclusion and Supported Employment Lead
Alix Dean
alix.dean@hca.nm.gov
505-819-7346
Community Inclusion Contacts here: Contact List
Resources
Job Accommodation Network – Solutions and Resources from Interview to Retirement
- Leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations.
Think Work! – Employment First Informatiosn & Resource
- Funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, this site has evidence-based resources about integrated employment for people with disabilities, including toolkits and webinars.
APSE – The Association of People Supporting Employment First
- APSE is a national nonprofit focused exclusively on employment of people with disabilities in integrated settings. They provide training, conferences, and policy guides.
U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)
- Offers guidance on Employment First initiatives, policy updates, and model programs.
New Mexico-Specific Employment First Resources
- Partners for Employment:
- Partners for Employment is a collaboration between the Developmental Disabilities Supports Division, the University of New Mexico/Center for Development and Disability and the New Mexico Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Partners for Employment works with provider agencies, state personnel, family members, self-advocates, employers, and others to provide training opportunities, technical assistance, and support with evidence-based best practices in employment.
- Division of Vocational Rehab:
- Department of Workforce Solutions:
- The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions strives to be a leader in improving employment and poverty rates through workforce development, enhanced services for employers, and ensuring fair labor practices and workforce protections for New Mexicans..
- Public Education Department (PED) Office of Special Education (OSE):
- Each disability category under the Individuals with Disabilities Act has a specific PED contact person.