Learn More About Advocacy
  
In January, as part of our Education Series, The Arc hosted a learning event titled: "Advocacy & You: Now's the time!". Participants learned about the important issues facing the intellectual and developmental disabilities community and heard from Delegate Brooke Lierman about the impact that personal outreach and testimony has on providing elected officials with the information they need to best represent their constituents. Parent advocate, Cathy McManus, (pictured with her son Max) shared her powerful story about testifying before and meeting with legislators.


 
Finally, everyone got the chance to practice a visit to a legislator. It was a great evening! Click here for tips on meeting with your elected official. To find out more information about the Advocacy Impact Teams, contact Kate McGuire or call 410-296-2272 ext. 5217.                    
  
Education Series: Sibling Issues
 
Having a child with a disability affects everyone in the family, including siblings. The impact of disabilities vary, yet common threads are shared in siblings' stories. The experience, both positive and challenging, can be lifelong.  Peer support is necessary for the siblings as well as the individual with a disability.
 
Join us for our Education Series workshop, Sibling Issues. Hear from a panel of siblings of different ages about the difficulties and joys that come with this special relationship. Also, experience Sibshops, a workshop that intermingles discussion, activity, games, play, food and most of all peer support.
 
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
The Arc Baltimore -Seton
6151 Metro Drive
Baltimore, MD 21215
6pm - 9pm
 
 
Dinner will be provided.  To register, please contact Swanisha Hinton at 410-296-2272 ext. 5306.  Click here for more information. Childcare is available.       

 
Reconsideration For Support Only Eligible Individuals
 
If you were determined by DDA to be Supports Only Eligible, you may have already received a letter from DDA or had contact from your Service Coordinator (also known as Coordinator of Community Services or Targeted Case Manager) stating that you will no longer receive Targeted Case Management services. We strongly recommend that, if relevant, you ask for reconsideration of your child's eligibility status now. Otherwise, it is likely that your child will lose the chance for services from DDA in the future. The window to ask for this reconsideration will close soon.


If you have any questions as to whether these concerning changes apply to you, we can assist. Please contact Bob Fonte at (410) 296-2272 ext. 5310.
 
It's Nomination Time!
 
The Annual Meeting and Awards Reception is a chance to recognize those who have gone above and beyond in their service to The Arc. As we get ready to honor the staff members and volunteers that have helped The Arc's mission, we turn to you for nominations of community partners, volunteers, staff, and other heroes of The Arc.  Click here to see pictures from last year's event.  



Deadline to submit nominations - March 4th. If you have any questions regarding the Annual Meeting & Awards Reception or the nomination process please, contact Lauren Seabolt at 410-296-2272 ext. 5220.

 
Annual Meeting & Awards Reception
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Radisson Hotel North Baltimore
2004 Greenspring Drive
Timonium, MD 21093

 Ticket information will be available soon.

Governor Hogan's FY17 Budget
 
Governor Hogan's FY 2017 proposed budget which covers the period July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017 includes much needed increases in DDA funding.

Some of the highlights include a 3.5% increase for providers of services to keep direct support staff wages above minimum wage and to fully fund Transitioning Youth. Additional funding is included for Emergency Placements and the Crisis Resolution Waiting List. While this is good news for several programs related to intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), we still need to fight for funding for more families on the Waiting List.
 
Sibshops
 
Please come and join us for our free monthly peer support workshop, Sibshops.  Each workshop allows brothers and sisters of children with special needs to participate in a fun, energetic, and activity driven experience.  Sibshops intermingles discussion activities, games, play, food, and most of all peer support.


 
Saturday, February 20, 2016
The Arc Baltimore
7215 York Road, Baltimore 21212
10:30am-1:30pm (ages 6-13)
 
Future Session: March 19, 2016
 
For more information or to register, contact Samantha Fisher 410-296-2272 ext. 5308 by February 18, 2016.

 
Parents Day Out
  
We invite you to take advantage of our Parents' Day Out respite program.  Take some time to restore yourself and leave your children with disabilities and their siblings in the trained and qualified hands of volunteers for a morning of fun.  See below for upcoming opportunities in 2016.


100 Church Lane, Cockeysville 21030

Future Sessions: Saturday, April 9th at St. Matthew Catholic Church
   Sunday, April 10th at Miracle Temple - PURE Ministries

If you have any questions and to register, please contact Traci Moore, Support Coordinator, at 410-296-2272 ext. 5322.  
Honestly Autism Day

Honestly Autism Day is a day devoted to understanding autism and celebrating Autism Awareness month. Parents, family members, professionals and people with autism come together to listen, ask questions and learn from each other.

The Keynote Presenter will be Dr. Barry Prizant, PhD, CCC-SLP, one of the world's leading authorities on Autism, with more than forty years of experience as a scholar, researcher, and international consultant.

Saturday, April 16, 2016
Radisson Hotel North
2004 Greenspring Dr.
Timonium, MD 21093


Click here for additional information.


Support Our Golf Tourny
 


The Golf Tournament is on May 17th! Registration details are coming soon, but block your calendar for tee time at 8 a.m. on the Diamond Ridge and Woodlands Golf Courses.
 
Not a golfer? Consider donating an item for the silent auction. Gift certificates, sports memorabilia, tickets to area attractions or games, electronics, jewelry, etc.
 
For information about golfing, donating to the auction or volunteering at the event, contact Lauren Seabolt, 410-296-2272 ext. 5220. 

Get Your Friends Involved



Social groups, church groups and co-workers often like to volunteer and get involved in the community. The Arc Baltimore has many opportunities for you and your friends to come visit and spend a few hours or a day with the people The Arc supports. You can start exploring by visiting the volunteer page on our website or contacting Debbie Staigerwald, our director of volunteers and interns, at 410-296-2272 ext. 5216. We will help you design a service project just for your group. Why not start today! 
Sensory Friendly Chuck E. Cheese
  
Visit Chuck E. Cheese the second Sunday of each month between 9 am-11 am for low lights, reduced sound and a sensory friendly time ONLY at the Glen Burnie location.
 
6637 Gov. Ritchie Hwy
Glen Burnie, MD 21061

Call 410-761-3334 or email [email protected] with any questions. 

Project Angel Fares
  

 

Project Angel Fares is committed to providing individuals with special needs and their families a chance to travel and enjoy a weekend at Morgan's Wonderland, and San Antonio, TX.  Individuals feel freedom and acceptance while visiting this 100% handicapped-accessible park.

 

If you or someone you know would like to apply for a trip of a lifetime to Morgan's Wonderland, click here for additional information.                 
Sprout Film Festival
 
The Arc Baltimore and Towson University will co-host their 4th annual Sprout Film Festival that showcases entertaining and memorable films featuring and created by people with developmental disabilities. All ages are welcome to take part in a screening of shorts, music videos and documentaries.
 
Saturday, April 23, 2016
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Towson University

Tickets available soon

Parent Support Groups

Join us each month to laugh, cry, and share stories with other parents of children of all ages with developmental disabilities as they discuss the joys and challenges that they and their child face.

Moms Understand

Moms of children of all ages with developmental disabilities meet on the first Wednesday of every month from 6:30 - 8:30 pm. Please RSVP to Dianna Morgan at 410-296-2272, ext. 5311.

Moms Understand II
Moms of adult children with developmental disabilities meet on the third Thursday of every month from 12:30 - 2:30 pm. Please RSVP to Swanisha Hinton at 410-296-2272 ext. 5306.

 

Guy Talk

Dads of children of all ages with developmental disabilities meet on the fourth Thursday of the month. Please connect with us. Please RSVP to Mercedes Thompson at 410-296-2272, ext. 5318.

All meetings are held at the main office at The Arc Baltimore, 7215 York Road, Baltimore 21212.

The Arc Wants To Know .....


Are you interested in becoming a foster parent? 
  
We offer competitive stipends, monthly training, and 24 hours a day support. The Arc Baltimore in partnership with the state's Department of Human Resources and Social Services, provides children with special needs throughout the Greater Baltimore area with treatment foster care services.
  
For more information, please contact Misty Jones, 443-279-3157. 
Enews Subscription
  
The Arc has three monthly enewsletters (Catalyst, Reaching Families, and Volunteers & Interns) and an Advocacy Network with as-needed alerts. Subscribe to one or all. 
 
  
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