Ability at Work: Celebrating NDEAM at Fello 

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.

Fello Joins Advocates on Capitol Hill for ANCOR Hill Day 2025

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.  

Expanding Care: Health Connection Now Serves People We Support 

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. 

Fello Communities Opens Leasing Office at Easton Crossing

On Thursday, Fello Communities hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of 407 Brookletts Avenue, the first completed building of the highly anticipated Easton Crossing community.

Easton Crossing is an ongoing community development project that will transform the 6.5-acre site of the former Perdue AgriBusiness operation into a vibrant, and walkable neighborhood. The development will include 117 new residential units, 30% of which are designated as affordable, and is designed to create an inclusive community where people of all abilities can thrive. Additionally, Easton Crossing will also feature ground-level commercial space and community amenities, such as walking paths and a fishing pond, to enhance the neighborhood’s livability for everyone.

“This ribbon cutting is the start of something bigger,” said Ross Benincasa, Senior Vice President of Community Development for Fello Communities. “Easton Crossing will bring new homes, new opportunities, and new energy to Easton. This is the first step in that journey—and there’s much more to come.”

The opening of 407 Brookletts Avenue marks an important step toward the construction and launch of the Easton Crossing community. This building will serve not only as the leasing hub for both Easton Crossing’s future residents and commercial tenants, but also will support Fello Communities properties across the Mid-Shore.

“At Fello Communities, we believe people deserve more than housing. People deserve homes,” said Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO of Fello. “Housing is the foundation of everything in a person’s life. It is our responsibility to ensure that everyone in our communities have safe and accessible places to call home.”

Looking ahead, there will be additional progress throughout 2026 as sitework for the entire footprint of Easton Crossing is completed, including stormwater management, fiber installation, underground infrastructure, and surface parking, all laying the groundwork for Building 509, a multifamily building and the next milestone in Easton Crossing’s journey.

Fello Communities Opens Leasing Office at Easton Crossing  

On Thursday, September 18, Fello Communities celebrated a significant milestone for Easton Crossing with the ribbon-cutting of its new leasing office at 407 Brookletts Avenue. The event, attended by community partners, Easton residents, and local leaders, marked the official opening of the hub that will serve as the front door to Easton Crossing.  Guests heard remarks from Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO of Fello, and Ross Benincasa, Senior Vice President of Community Development for Fello Communities, before enjoying refreshments and a tour of the newly completed space. 

Transforming a Community 

Easton Crossing will transform the former 6.5-acre Perdue agribusiness site into a vibrant, walkable, and inclusive neighborhood. The development will add 117 residential units—30% of which are affordable housing—with ground-level commercial space alongside the Rails-to-Trails and Brookletts Avenue. Thoughtful amenities, including green spaces, walking paths, and a central fishing pond, will provide opportunities for connection and recreation.  

The 407 Brookletts building will serve as the leasing and administrative offices for Easton Crossing and other Fello Communities properties across the Mid-Shore. 

5 people preparing to cut the ribbon at 407 Brooklett's Ave. in Easton, Md for Fello's new leasing office

A Vision for Inclusive Community 

“At Fello Communities, we believe people deserve more than housing. People deserve homes,” said Jonathon. “And that’s exactly what we’re here to build, and that’s exactly what we’re celebrating today.”  

Ross added, “As a long-time resident of the Eastern Shore, I am honored and excited to be leading so many incredible efforts toward further developing our community and making profound impacts in people’s lives through community development. We are designing Easton Crossing to be a place where people can be their whole selves—at home and in their neighborhood.” 

What’s Ahead 

Construction across the site is moving forward on schedule. Sitework begins next month, with vertical construction on Building 509 planned for February 2026. The first families will move into Easton Crossing in early 2028, with completion of the full project by April 2029. 

Stay Connected 

Fello Communities is building more than housing—we’re building inclusive neighborhoods. Stay up to date on our latest housing initiatives and community developments by joining our newsletter and connecting with us on social media. 

Construction Underway on Fello’s Community Hub at Annapolis Mall

Fello is creating a new, inclusive space at Annapolis Mall, with this week’s branded barricade installation signaling the beginning of its 5,900-square-foot Community Hub project. As the mall reimagines its community spaces, Fello at The Mall will serve as a hub for connection, representation, and inclusion — giving people with disabilities, their families, and the broader community a place to gather and access vital resources.

Once complete, the Hub will feature a meeting room, offices for Fello employees, and an accessible restroom with an adult changing station — removing a significant barrier that often limits the participation of people with mobility-related disabilities in community life. A dedicated Program Coordinator will be onsite to manage the space, welcome visitors and provide information and referrals.

“Fello at The Mall is about more than just space — it’s about showing up where the community is,’ said Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO of Fello. “People with disabilities want, need, and deserve to be in the heart of the community. This Hub ensures that happens while making it easier for families to connect with us, access support, and feel welcomed in an inclusive environment.”

Located in one of the region’s busiest shopping destinations, Fello at The Mall will give the organization a highly visible presence and connect the people it supports to the full range of opportunities Annapolis Mall offers — from shopping and dining to fitness, entertainment, and community events.

Fello signed the lease in June 2025, began renovations in July, and will celebrate the grand opening with a ribbon-cutting in January, with occupancy beginning in February 2026.

Brandy Stephens Accepted to Leadership Anne Arundel’s 2026 Flagship Class

We are pleased to share that Brandy Stephens, Vice President of People & Culture at Fello, has been accepted into the Leadership Anne Arundel (LAA) Flagship Class of 2026.

This highly competitive program brings together established and emerging leaders from across sectors to explore Anne Arundel County’s most pressing issues and discover new opportunities for growth and collaboration. Participants engage in a yearlong program that provides a deep dive into areas such as local business climate, municipal governance, economic growth, public health, regional agriculture, and other critical sectors that shape effective community leadership.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to join this remarkable network of leaders committed to strengthening our region,” said Brandy. “This is an incredible opportunity to connect with passionate peers from across Anne Arundel County and dive deep into learning about the communities we serve. I’m excited to bring back everything I learn to enhance our work at Fello.”

As Vice President of People & Culture, Brandy leads organizational development, supports leaders at every level, and advances Fello’s work around diversity, equity, and inclusion. She fosters a culture where employees feel welcome, valued, and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. Through the LAA Flagship experience, Brandy will further strengthen her leadership and expand connections that will support Fello’s work of creating inclusive communities for people with disabilities.

Each year, Fello nominates one team member to participate in the LAA Flagship experience, reinforcing our commitment to investing in leadership development and contributing to the broader community. Brandy’s participation will highlight the priorities of people with disabilities while amplifying Fello’s innovative community development and economic revitalization strategies that drive meaningful change across Anne Arundel County.

About Leadership Anne Arundel

Established in 1993, Leadership Anne Arundel (LAA) operates as the premier leadership development hub for Anne Arundel County, offering professional growth and networking opportunities for the area’s most influential leaders. The organization creates pathways for accomplished individuals from business, nonprofit, government, and civic sectors to build connections while acquiring the knowledge, tools, and relationships essential for becoming visionary leaders who can address their communities’ evolving needs.

About Fello

Fello champions the rights of people with disabilities and invests in what matters most: real opportunities, strong relationships, and inclusive, equitable communities. Fello partners with people with disabilities to provide support services, develop inclusive housing, and create spaces where people feel genuinely connected—not just accommodated. Founded in 1961, Fello continues to lead with heart and purpose, building inclusive communities where everyone belongs. Learn more at fello.org.