As the Work Adjustment Supervisor for  VSP , one of the region’s leaders in vocational rehabilitation, Marla Friedman oversees several job readiness training programs for individuals with vocational barriers. These programs promote the development of appropriate work behaviors, abilities and retention skills. At present, all services are delivered within a LifeBridge Health Department.

Marla Friedman

Marla, a LifeBridge health Diversity Council member,  was recently asked to join the Baltimore Jewish Abilities Alliance – Community of Practice (BJAA-COP).  The group was formed by The ASSOCIATED to help bring professionals together who share a common set of problems. The committee first met in November to discuss the formation of the group and how the partners could work together to improve services for the special needs population within the Baltimore Jewish Community. The committee includes representatives from Jewish Community Services, CHAI, the Jewish Community Center, Shemesh and the Center for Jewish Education.

The BJAA-COP is in the early phases of creating shared goals. One shared goal is for the alliance to serve as a model for increasing inclusion and disability awareness. February is universally recognized as “J ewish Disabilities Awareness and Inclusion Month .” In recognition of this month, members of the BJAA-COP are scheduled to speak within the Jewish Community and electronically share information about services available to individuals with disabilities.

-Written by Marla Friedman, Work Adjustment Supervisor, VSP/Sinai Hospital and Mira Appleby, Manager, Program Development, VSP/Sinai Hospital of Baltimore