Creating a Path to Opportunity

Paving a path to hope, growth, change and respect for 50 years

In the past 50 years The Arc of the Central Chesapeake Region has grown from a small parent-supported group to a comprehensive service and advocacy organization serving thousands in our community.

We were incorporated as the Arundel County Association for Retarded Children in 1961 but were sensitive to the impact of terminology on our constituency and adapted accordingly. As the words retardation and retarded became pejorative, derogatory and demeaning in usage, our organization changed its name to 'The Arc.' While there is no longer an acronym associated with our name, our history is important to our future and so we keep the name The Arc to honor our past work and to keep us focused on the opportunities ahead.

After starting in 1961 with a group of parents looking for better options for their children, we expanded in 1972 to serve older individuals with the opening of Bello Machre, followed in 1975 with the county's first group home in Linthicum, Langton Green, in 1981 and then began Community Supported Living in 1994. Because of you, our volunteers, supporters and donors, we were able to advance work on behalf of individuals with developmental disabilities ahead of common practices.

We look forward to continuing this journey together and continuing to be at the forefront of advocacy and programming on behalf of individuals with developmental disabilities. Please "like" us on Facebook, subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on new trends, legislative issues and other important information related to the lives of those with developmental disabilities and their families.   

For a timeline of The Arc of the Central Chesapeake Region's history, please visit our website at www.thearcccr.org.

Welcome to our New Director of Educational Advocacy!

Another way we are advocating for you.

The Arc of the Central Chesapeake Region has spent the last 50 years as an effective advocate and resource on behalf of individuals with developmental disabilities.  Carolyn Fiume's education advocacy work began four years ago when her son Tom was diagnosed with autism.  These two paths converged last week with the launching of the Educational Advocacy program at The Arc of the Central Chesapeake Region and the naming of Carolyn Fiume as the Director of Educational Advocacy.

 "When I learned about the new education advocacy position The Arc of the Central Chesapeake was developing, I just knew I had to apply," said Fiume.  "Now, I get to spend my day advocating on behalf of children and helping families to navigate the special education system, to find services, resolve concerns and to empower families with resources and information."

As a former government employee, Fiume hadn't imagined she would be a voice for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  But, when her then two year-old was diagnosed with Autism in 2007, it was a natural jump to learning as much as she could for herself and other families.  Later in 2007, Fiume and three fellow moms started The Friends of ECI, a Parent/Teacher organization specifically for parents of children from birth to age five with disabilities and the only one of its kind in Maryland.  Since then, Fiume has been dedicated to advocating for children with developmental disabilities.  Explained Fiume, "When Tom was diagnosed, so many people helped me understand the system, especially Linda Carter-Ferrier and Alison Hamilton, and I wanted to give back.  Now I am."    

Read more  

Developmental Disabilities Day

Fighting for funding

Hundreds of advocates came out in support of childen and adults with developmental disabilities on February 11th in Annapolis. Held at the Loews Annapolis Hotel on West Street, the morning started with information sessions and guest speakers. Presenters reviewed a number of topics including the DDA budget, the underfunding of community services, the Waiting List, an update on institutions and an explanation of The Lorraine Sheehan Health and Community Services Act (alcohol tax bill).

The information sessions were held prior to the planned march from the hotel to Lawyer's Mall for a rally in support of the alcohol tax bill. Carol Fried, Vice-President and Governmental Affairs Chair of The Arc of Maryland, fired up the crowd before they headed out to the rally with chants of, "Dime a Drink, DD Link" and "10 Cents Makes Sense." The group then continued their calls for increased funding during their march to Lawyer's Mall and at the rally site as legislators made their way to the State House.   

SB168/HB121 (alcohol tax bill) was discussed before the Senate Budget & Tax and Finance Committees on February 23 and will be before the House Ways & Means and Health & Government Operations Committees on March 3. 

There is increasing concern that the bill will pass without a link to supporting disability funding.  What can you do to help make sure the link stays instact?  Contact your legislator find them here and remind them that a statewide voter poll conducted by OpinionWorks in December of 2010 found overwhelming support for an increased tax of 10 cents per alcoholic drink tied to funding health-related priorities,including developmental disabilities.  Please let you representative know:

Dime a Drink Must Have Developmental Disability Link