Making an Impact Across Maryland 

When the members of Fello’s Living Boldly advocacy group asked, “How can we give back to our community?” the answer was clear: take action. On Living Boldy’s first annual Volunteer Day, they rolled up their sleeves, spread out across the region, and got to work. 

A total of 26 people participated in Living Boldly Volunteer Day, joining together to make a meaningful impact across our communities. Volunteers supported local food pantries, worked at animal shelters, and lent a hand to neighborhood projects that strengthen community life. This day of service will continue as an annual tradition, building on the spirit of connection and advocacy for years to come. 

Volunteers supported: 

• MidShore Meals til Monday, Cambridge – Packing 100–200 food bags for neighbors facing food insecurity. 
• Paws at the Mall, Annapolis – Cleaning, greeting visitors, and connecting with cats awaiting their forever homes. 
• Talbot Humane, Easton – Helping with animal care and enjoying plenty of kitten playtime. 
• The Lost Towns Project, Londontown – Sorting and cleaning historical artifacts from Anne Arundel County, preserving local history for the community. 
• Waterfowl Festival, Easton – Supporting preparations for the November festival. 

The day was meaningful and rewarding for both the volunteers and the organizations they supported. 

“The group was so lovely and truly helped us out, I enjoyed getting to meet and know every last one of them,” said Maggie Crawford of the Anne Arundel County SPCA “Thank you for the work that you do to foster an inclusive and vibrant community for all.”   

Inspired by the day of service, one volunteer shared, “I want to come back here and volunteer more often,” and took the first step by signing up for future opportunities. 

What is Living Boldly? 

Launched in 2022, Living Boldly is Fello’s self-advocacy group that empowers people with disabilities to represent themselves, their ideas, and their interests. Open to anyone with a disability, the group operates through two Maryland chapters in Anne Arundel County and the Eastern Shore, each reflecting the unique needs of their own communities. 

Both chapters share a mission: ensure full inclusion, amplify voices on important issues, support personal growth, and encourage independence. Living Boldly’s Volunteer Day is an example of that mission, showing that advocacy goes beyond words—its people making a tangible impact on those around them. 

Join Living Boldly 

Join us at an upcoming Living Boldly meeting and add your voice, ideas, and energy to the movement. Your seat at the table is waiting—come help shape what’s next. You do not need to receive services from Fello to join the group.

View all of our 2025 NDEAM videos here.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) — a time to spotlight the skills, creativity, and contributions that people with disabilities bring to the workplace.  This month-long observance not only celebrates those contributions but also calls on employers to promote inclusive practices and build cultures where everyone’s talents are valued. 

At Fello, we believe inclusion isn’t just good practice—it’s the key to stronger businesses and thriving communities.  

In our upcoming episode of Fello Thinking Differently, our original podcast, Laura Degler, Assistant Director of Workforce Development, and Jodie Colombo, Director of Day Services, share insights on why employment matters and how Fello helps people find jobs that match their skills and goals. 

🎧 Listen to Episode 4: Thriving at Work & in the Community

A Legacy of Progress 

What began in 1945 as “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week” has grown into a month-long observance that includes people with all types of disabilities. Over the decades, the awareness campaign has fostered stronger legal protections for workers with disabilities, shifted public attitudes, and encouraged employers to embrace inclusive hiring practices.  

Today, NDEAM celebrates progress while calling on all of us to continue building workplaces where equity and opportunity are the norm. 

Why Inclusion in the Workplace Matters 

For people with disabilities, employment offers more than a paycheck. It’s a pathway to independence, social connection, purpose, and self-worth.  

“Employment gives you a purpose,” says Laura. “It gives you an opportunity to be included in your community. It helps you provide for your family and gain independence, buy the things you want, and even make friends.” 

Inclusive workplaces strengthen businesses, too: they bring diverse perspectives that spark creativity, fuel innovation, and improve team problem-solving. In fact, according to asystematic review of peer-reviewed studies, organizations that employ people with disabilities see improvements in profitability, reduced turnover, and greater employee loyalty. 

Yet the data reminds us there is still work to be done. Unemployment rates for people with disabilities remain significantly higher than those without, and too many are underemployed or working fewer hours than they’d prefer. These gaps show that awareness months like NDEAM are more than symbolic—they’re calls to action. 

Fello’s Workforce Development Program 

Fello bridges the gap between talented job seekers with disabilities and Maryland businesses looking for dedicated employees with our Workforce Development program. Drawing on decades of experience supporting people with disabilities, our Workforce Development program helps people find meaningful careers while helping employers access a skilled, motivated workforce—all with ongoing support that ensures success for everyone. 

• Personalized job matching: Connecting skills and career goals with employer needs through a network of 160+ participants. 

• Comprehensive support for all: Resume building, interview prep, and coaching for job seekers, plus onboarding and accommodation guidance for employers. 

• Expert guidance at no cost: Professional support with compliance, accommodations, and workplace solutions. 

• Long-term success focus: We’re committed to sustainable employment relationships, with proven results including an average job tenure of 4+ years and 30% of participants employed over 5 years at the same company. 

Join Us in Creating Opportunity 

As we celebrate NDEAM this year, we also look forward to workplaces where people with disabilities are not just employed but empowered. And, where their work environments are flexible, accessible, and their contributions are valued equally.  

Ready to take the next step? Whether you’re a person with disabilities looking for meaningful employment or a business seeking dedicated talent, Fello’s Workforce Development Program is here to help. Contact us at 443.962.2882 or visit fello.org/fello-services/workforce-development/ to learn more about how we can support your goals and create lasting employment success together.

Across the country, people with disabilities are losing access to the services that allow them to live independently in their communities. Staff shortages are worsening, waiting lists are growing, and the foundation of community-based disability services is at risk. That’s why Fello joined advocates from across the country for ANCOR’s 2025 Policy Summit & Hill Day in Washington, D.C., in September.  

Hill Day brings advocates, providers, and community leaders together to meet directly with members of Congress and their staff, sharing the real challenges facing people with disabilities and the organizations that support them. This year, more than 300 participants gathered—and when hundreds of providers and advocates gather on Capitol Hill, lawmakers listen.  

“Being on Capitol Hill for Hill Day was a powerful reminder of what’s at stake. Every conversation we had with lawmakers was about ensuring people with disabilities can continue living with dignity and independence in their communities,” said Rylie Shewbridge, Director of Government Relations External Relations. “At Fello, we see firsthand how staffing shortages and underfunding threaten those opportunities, and we’re committed to being part of the solution.” 

What is ANCOR? 

For over 50 years, ANCOR has been a leading voice in shaping policy and driving solutions that strengthen the ability of community-based providers to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. With 2,500 members across the country, ANCOR is dedicated to making inclusion a reality. The organization not only advocates at the federal level, but also equips providers with the resources and knowledge they need to deliver high-quality, person-centered services. 

The Crisis Facing Community-Based Services 

This year’s advocacy focused on a growing crisis in the Medicaid-funded community-based support system. Medicaid is a lifeline for many people with disabilities, providing access to essential services that promote independence, skill development, and opportunity. Yet, chronic underfunding, workforce shortages, and new administrative barriers are threatening that access. 

Fello’s team joined advocates nationwide in urging Congress to: 

• Invest in Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS): Pass the HCBS Relief Act (HR 4029/S 2076), which would provide a two-year increase to the federal Medicaid match rate (FMAP). This investment would help providers strengthen their workforce and ensure stable, high-quality services for people with disabilities. 

• Protect Against Cuts and Red Tape: Oppose proposals that reduce Medicaid funding or impose burdensome requirements—such as frequent redeterminations and work requirements—that risk pushing people with disabilities off Medicaid. 

• Address Workforce Challenges: Support better pay, benefits, and recognition for direct support professionals (DSPs), to compete with other industries offering entry-level positions. 

Throughout the day, Fello advocates met with congressional offices, sharing stories from people with disabilities, family members, and DSPs who are directly impacted by these challenges. They thanked lawmakers for their support, encouraged co-sponsorship of key bills, and reinforced the urgent need for action. 

Hill Day was an important reminder that when advocates and providers stand together, they amplify voices and drive meaningful change.  

Take Action. Stay Connected.

Your voice matters. By urging your representatives to support the HCBS Relief Act, you can help strengthen community-based services and ensure people with disabilities have the resources they need to live independent, connected lives. 

Fello will continue to champion the rights of people with disabilities every day. Stay up to date on the latest legislative updates and ways to take action by joining our newsletter and connecting with us on social media.  

• Join Our Newsletter 
• Connect on Facebook 
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• Connect on YouTube 

At Fello, we believe quality healthcare should be simple, personal, and accessible for everyone. That’s why we first launched Health Connection in January 2024 — a benefit designed to give employees faster, more convenient access to primary and urgent care. 

The impact was immediate. Employees were able to connect with providers who understood their needs, without the usual hurdles of scheduling, travel, or long waits.  

Building on that success, Health Connection recently expanded to include people supported through Fello’s Living Options & Services program. Now, more people are benefiting from streamlined healthcare that truly meets them where they are.  

What is Health Connection? 

Health Connection is Fello’s in-house healthcare program, created in partnership with ModRN Health. It provides free primary care visits and urgent care services with the flexibility of same-day, in-person or virtual appointments, available Monday through Friday, with extended hours.  

Originally designed for employees, Health Connection now brings the same high-quality, accessible healthcare to the people served by Fello’s Living Options & Services program, removing the barriers that many people with disabilities face in accessing traditional healthcare services. Health Connection removes obstacles by offering medical support that is easy to access, familiar, and responsive.  

Healthcare That Meets People Where They Are 

Across the country, more than 100 million Americans lack access to a primary care provider. That’s almost one in three people. For people with disabilities, those gaps are even greater.  

Health Connection changes this reality. With extended hours and the option of in-person or virtual appointments, health support doesn’t stop when a traditional office closes. This access helps people avoid unnecessary emergency room visits, getting what they need sooner, in a setting that is more personal and familiar.  

“Access to Health Connection means that when people call the nurse and the nurse recommends seeing a doctor for something like a cold, our teams don’t have to coordinate getting someone to an emergency room,” says Niki Jones, Director of Living Options & Services. “Having Health Connection means there is a safe, convenient alternative for getting proper medical care without the stress, wait times, and risk of secondary infections.” 

By removing transportation barriers, reducing exposure to illnesses in crowded waiting rooms, and offering consistent relationships with providers who understand our community, Health Connection delivers healthcare that truly meets people where they are. 

A Health Connection Success Story 

When Laura, a Direct Support Professional (DSP), scheduled an appointment for someone she supports in one of Fello’s group homes, she saw firsthand what makes Health Connection different.  

“It was easy to make an appointment; once I made the call, someone called me right back,” she said. “The difference between Health Connection and other places is that there’s really no wait; there’s no driving anywhere unless directed to do so. It’s more personable,“ Laura explains. 

The experience transformed Laura’s understanding of what healthcare could look like for the people she supports. Instead of driving across town and sitting in crowded waiting rooms, the virtual appointment felt personal and efficient.

Because the provider already knew the person’s background, the conversation flowed easily. Laura watched as the prescribed medication began working quickly.

“The medication they prescribed was right on point and helped them to start feeling better quickly. While they may not use words to communicate, I can tell they feel so much better,“ she says. For Laura, what mattered most was the compassion. “The Health Connection staff were very friendly and truly concerned about the ongoing issues,” she reflects. That personal attention made all the difference. 

More Than a Doctor’s Visit 

Expanding Health Connection is one more way Fello is building a future where healthcare is designed around people, not systems. By providing responsive, person-centered support for both employees and the people we serve, we’re not just adding another service—we’re strengthening the full network that makes better health possible.