PROMISE: Lessons learned from six model demonstration projects through the Promoting Readiness of Minors in Supplemental Security Income Project

The Maryland Department of Disabilities (MDOD) was the lead agency for Maryland PROMISE. Representatives from six other state agencies participated on a PROMISE steering committee. MDOD contracted with three organizations to provide MD PROMISE services statewide: Way Station, Inc. to provide case management and employment-related services to youth and families; Full Circle Employment Solutions, to provide benefits counseling; and MD CASH Campaign, to provide financial education services. MDOD also contracted with TransCen, Inc. to provide programmatic technical assistance and ensure fidelity to the program design. Maryland PROMISE website

Youth participants total	2006
Treatment group	1009
Control group	997

Final participation numbers from projects as of September 30, 2019

Average youth age at enrollment: 15.8

**Final participation numbers from projects as of September 30, 2019

Male	66.7 percent
Female	33.3 percent

**Final participation numbers from projects as of September 30, 2019

Pie chart describing primary impairment

Developmental disability	17 percent
Mental health	19 percent
Intellectual disability	13 percent
Autism spectrum disorder	12 percent
Other	39 percent

*Demographics from MPR 18-month interim report

Pie chart desribing race/ethnicity

Black African	54 percent
White	20 percent
Unreported	16 percent
Hispanic	5 percent
Other	5 percent

*Demographics from MPR 18-month interim report

Either parent/guardian employed at any time in the 12 months before project: 67.3 percent

**Final participation numbers from projects as of September 30, 2019

Youth employed in 12 months before project: 5.1 percent

Average annual earnings in 12 months before project: $45

**Final participation numbers from projects as of September 30, 2019

Either parent/guardian employed in month before the 18-month checkpoint

Control group	48.7 percent
Treatment group	49.1 percent

Earnings in month before the 18-month checkpoint

Control group	$890
Treatment group	$969

Control group	33 percent
Treatment group	57 percent

Youth had any earnings in year before the 18-month checkpoint

Control group	17.7 percent
Treatment group	34.5 percent

Earnings in year before the 18-month checkpoint

Control group	89.9 percent
Treatment group	96.4 percent

Control group	89.9 percent
Treatment group	96.4 percent

Preliminary outcomes for participants who completed the 18-month survey from MPR 18-month interim report

Unique features 

• Community-based approach with families and youth being engaged and served in the neighborhoods where they live
• Comprehensive case management provided by a team of individuals made up of case managers and family employment specialists exclusively for PROMISE participants was a central aspect of service provision
• MDOD, the only cabinet level cross-disability department in the country, led MD PROMISE. MDOD is charged with interagency coordination to improve the lives of Marylanders with disabilities with focused efforts on housing, employment, education, transitioning youth, community living, technology assistance and transportation

Partnerships

• Maryland Department of Disabilities (MDOD) — lead agency
• Maryland State Department of Education (MDSE), Division of Early Intervention Services and Special Education (EIS/SE) and Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS)
• Maryland Department of Health (MDH), Developmental Disabilities Administration and Behavioral Health Administration (DBABHA) 
• Department of Human Services (DHS)
• Department of Labor (LABOR)
• Department of Juvenile Services (DJS)
• Full Circle Employment Services
• MD CASH Campaign
• TransCen, Inc.