Dear Itineris Community,

I hope everyone is having a safe and warm winter!

It is with mixed emotions that I write to inform you of my decision to retire as Executive Director of Itineris, effective June 30, 2025. Serving this incredible community has been one of the greatest privileges of my life.

Back in 2006, I was approached by a wonderful group of people who were interested in looking at best practices for programs supporting autistic adults. As the parent of an autistic daughter, Annie, I was thrilled to be asked and involved in this pursuit. I had no idea at that time, that this would turn into a lifechanging, rewarding, and transformative event in my life. We worked so hard to build a model agency from scratch, supporting autistic adults on their journey into adulthood and throughout their lives. Becoming the Executive Director of Itineris was the biggest honor I could imagine.

Together, with a team of dedicated, creative, passionate professionals and teammates, we have achieved remarkable milestones, transformed challenges into opportunities, and fostered a culture of support, growth and empowerment. I am incredibly proud of the work we've done together and the relationships we've built along the way. Watching Annie and our other adults grow, mature, make friends, learn new skills, increase independence, find their voices, and live meaningful lives has been incredibly rewarding and comforting.

I am sincerely grateful for the support of our co-founders, board members, directors, supporters and, most importantly, the individuals and families we serve. Your trust and belief in us gave us the confidence to grow, think outside the box, face important challenges and rebuild. You have inspired me daily, reminding me of the true purpose behind our work and for the mission I live every day.

Although I am excited about this new chapter of my life, (becoming a grandmother, spending time with friends and family, traveling and more). I will deeply miss the daily interactions and collaborations that have enriched my experience here. I am confident that Itineris will continue to thrive under new leadership and that the vision we have worked so hard to create will move forward with passion, best practices and dedication.

I want to assure you that I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition and will work closely with my successor and the Board to make this process as seamless as possible.

Thank you for your trust, support, and friendship throughout the years. I look forward to following the progress of Itineris and celebrating the future successes of our community... and Annie’s continued growth!

Gratefully,

Ami Taubenfeld

Executive Director

Our Senior Director of Operations, Lauren Eaton, was featured on WBAL-TV to highlight the work we do and discuss our upcoming Hot Night for Autism fundraiser! Click the link below to listen. Thank you to WBAL-TV 11 Baltimore and Jennifer Franciotti for sharing your platform with us!

We're so excited to announce that our Executive Director, Ami Taubenfeld, is featured in the CanvasRebel. The CanvasRebel's mission is to create a space for artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs to be able to learn from their peers through the magic and power of storytelling. In similarity, Ami conveys the magic behind the creation of Itineris--how a need manifested into a dream. Thank you, Ami, for sharing your story!

Click here to read the article

Check out this article from the Baltimore Voyage, our Executive Director, Ami Taubenfeld, is featured as Baltimore's hidden gem! Read about her background, her "why" behind the existence of Itineris, inspirational insight, and so much more by clicking here.

We urgently need your help! Appendix K, which allows flexible options in how DDA benefits are provided and billed for during the pandemic, has been lifesaving for Itineris and other agencies providing disability services. But last week, we learned that state leadership might decide to end some or all of Appendix K sooner than approved by the federal government- as early as August 15, 2021. This would be devastating for Itineris and its clients, as there is NO WAY Itineris could resume services to pre-pandemic levels with this limited notice.

Please click below to read Ami Taubenfeld’s letter to Governor Larry Hogan detailing how this would be devastating to Itineris and our clients, and most importantly, how YOU can take action to make sure Appendix K is not ended prematurely.

1. Shareable Info Sheet

2. Read Itineris Executive Director Ami Taubenfeld’s Letter to Governor Larry Hogan

How to Take Action

Take all three actions listed below. Time is of the essence, so please take time to do so as soon as possible!

1) Write to Governor Larry Hogan

Use this link to write to the Governor through his website, and choose the Developmental Disabilities Administration as the message topic in the drop down box.

Ask Governor Hogan to continue Appendix K for DDA waiver services until 6 months after the federal Public Health Emergency, as approved in the State’s request.

Explain how the loss of Appendix K flexibilities will affect you as a person with a disability/family member/provider. Consider including some of the following information:

Providers:

• Are you currently experiencing staff shortages that would make it difficult/impossible to continue to provide services to the people you are currently supporting if Appendix K flexibilities are removed ahead of what was planned? Can you give an example(s)?

• In what ways would the billing flexibilities permitted under Appendix K impact your ability to continue to support people if those flexibilities were lifted early?

• What obstacles or barriers are you experiencing in re-integration?

• What is the status of the direct support professionals’ (DSPs) workforce capacity?

• Do you have immediate capacity or financial challenges that are creating barriers to service delivery?

People with Disabilities and Families:

o Are family members providing paid support as a caregiver? Why is it important they be allowed to continue providing support right now?

o Do you have concerns about direct support staff coming to your home? Does this affect your comfort being out and about, and (if so) in what ways?

o What flexibilities in Appendix K have, and continue to be, life savers for you?

2) Write to MD Department of Health Secretary Dennis Schrader

Email Secretary Schrader at Dennis.Schrader@maryland.gov, also urging him to support the continuation of Appendix K until 6 months after the end of the federal public health emergency. Explain how the loss of Appendix K flexibilities will affect you as a person with a disability / family member / provider.

3) Share this alert broadly through email and social media.

When you post on social media, please tag Governor Hogan and Secretary Schrader in your posts if possible, and use the following hashtags:

#KeepYourPromise #AppendixKisKey #PeoplewithDDMatter #ReopenWithCare

Executive Director and Founder, Ami Taubenfeld, spoke with The Larger Than Yourself Podcast about the personal story behind the founding of Itineris. After her daughter was diagnosed with autism, Ami discovered a lack of agencies that were prepared to support adults on the autism spectrum. So, she took matters into her own hands. Listen to the podcast to hear the inspiring full story here.

The Larger Than Yourself Podcast explores the stories behind brave people who are helping small ideas become powerful movements. Their mission is to amplify the impact of those stories and inspire the courage in others to reimagine industries, lead with purpose and challenge the status quo.