April Is Autism Awareness And Acceptance Month 
 
Join us in promoting autism awareness and acceptance, social inclusion and advocacy for the families we support. It is important to understand what living with autism really means. Find out more about autism spectrum disorders at The Arc's Autism Now website.



Education Series: All About 
Assistive Technology
  
Join us for the upcoming education series workshop on Assistive Technology. An overview of assistive technology with demo items on display.  Learn about MDTAP and financial assistance available for families in need. Vendors such as VLINC, MDRELAY and others that typically participate in our AT Fair will able be discussed.
 
Tuesday, April
The Arc Baltimore -Seton
6151 Metro Drive, Baltimore MD 21215
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM 
 
Dinner will be provided.  To register, please contact Swanisha Hinton at 410-296-2272 ext. 5306.  Click here for more information. Childcare is available.    

Annual Meeting & Awards Reception
 

Celebrating a tradition of volunteer and staff commitment each year, this event is a unique gathering of close friends and partners of The Arc Baltimore and serves as annual election of the new board of directors and officers.

Date & Time
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Location
Radisson Hotel North Baltimore
2004 Greenspring Drive
Timonium, MD 20193

Registration deadline is April 22, 2016. If you have question please contact Nina Georgopoulos at 410-296-2272 ext. 5210.

Click here to see the complete list of winners.


Assistive Technology Fair
 


An opportunity for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, families and professionals to talk with representatives from some of the big names in Assistive Technology.
 
Learn about devices and tools that can ease daily living challenges or aid communications and skill building.
  
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Seton Business Park
6151 Metro Drive, Baltimore MD 21215
  
Click here to sponsor the AT Fair.
Click here to purchase an exhibitor table.
 
For questions regarding vendor registration, contact Daphni Steffin 410-296-2272 ext. 5206. 
 
For general inquiries, contact Mercedes Thompson at 410-296-2272 ext. 5318.  
 
Learn More About Sibshops
  
Last month's Education series discussed Siblings - both the rewards and challenges.  The Sibling panel consisted of a four siblings from various backgrounds and age ranges.  Each person discussed their range of experience over time with their sibling and society's ever changing perception during those times.  It was eye opening and truly touching. 


 
Saturday, April 23, 2016
The Arc Baltimore
7215 York Road, Baltimore 21212
10:30am-1:30pm (ages 6-13)
 
Next Session: Saturday, May 21, 2016
 
For more information or to register, contact Samantha Fisher 410-296-2272 ext. 5308 by March 17th, 2016.

  
The Arc Maryland State Convention

Join us for the The Arc Maryland 2016 State Convention. This is a time when The Arc chapters across the state come together. Earlier this week, The Arc Maryland announced that Brian Boyle, an internationally renown healthcare advocate and survivor, will speak about the importance of caregiving and being FEARLESS during the opening plenary session. You won't want to miss it.

Friday, May 13, 2016
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
The Hotel at Arundel Preserve
7795 Arundel Mills Blvd, Hanover, MD 21076
 
Click here for the registration form. If you would like to attend, email or fax the form to Nina Georgopoulos at 443-279-3415.  
Baltimore Rec Fest Is Back!
  
















On Saturday, April 16th, Global Abilities will host the 2nd Baltimore Rec Fest at Patterson Park.  Activities at the event will include fencing, soccer, rugby, lacrosse, wheelchair sports, arts and crafts, and miniature golf.  Click here for a complete list of activities. Plus food, games, prizes, music and tons of resources for school, work and play.

Saturday, April 16, 2016
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Patterson Park
200 Linwood Avenue, Baltimore MD 21224

The event is free to all participants. Pre-registration is required.

Library Play Date 
  
Join the Chesapeake Down Syndrome Parent Group (CDSPG) as it hosts a series of library play dates for children with Down Syndrome and their families.  Each event will include a story time, playtime, a craft activity, information and connection with other families.

Saturday, April 9th
10:30 AM  - 12:30 PM
Tuesday, April 19th
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Thursday, April 21st
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
For more information, click here



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.
 
Connect With The Arc

Like us on Facebook  Follow us on Twitter  View our profile on LinkedIn  View our videos on YouTube  Visit our blog  View our photos on flickr  View on Instagram  

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. 
 
  
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. Click here for more information.

Saturday, April 16, 2016
Radisson Hotel North Baltimore
2004 Greenspring Drive
Timonium, MD 21093

Not A Golfer? 
Consider A Donation?



The 22nd Annual Golf Tournament is right around the corner and we're seeking in-kind donations for our silent auction that takes place during the tournament. Donations can be in the form of restaurant gift certificates, store gift cards, signed sports memorabilia, golf outings, game tickets, or other such items.  Donate an item or make a cash donation today. Contact Lauren Seabolt at 410-296-2272 ext. 5220 with any questions.
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 12 shorts, music videos and documentaries.
 
Saturday, April 23, 2016
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
University Union at Towson University
located on Cross Campus Drive
 
Tickets $5 each & available at the door. 
 
Click here for drop off & union access information. Click here to see the list of films we will be showing.


Connections Spring Dance
  
Join us for plenty of food, fun and dancing.  Connect with peers and celebrate the arrival of spring.

Saturday, April 23, 2016
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Columbus Gardens
4301 Klosterman Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21236

To RSVP, contact Linda Yannuzzi at 410-296-2272  ext. 5159 by April 18th.  All payments for this event must be paid by the RSVP deadline.                

Special Needs Sensory Jump at Sky Zone
  
Sky Zone will turn off the music and dial down the distractions for the comfort of our extra special jumpers. They will make every effort to accommodate all jumpers with any kind of special needs.

 Second Sunday of every month
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Sky Zone - Timonium
23 W. Aylesbury Road
Timonium, MD 21093

Click here for additional information.
Calling All Athletes for
Gym Day




Come join Loyola's student-led group,
action for autism, to celebrate Autism Awareness Month, at the beautiful fitness and aquatic center.  Anyone from ages 6 and up can come for 2 hours of assistive sports.

For sign-ups or question, contact Patrick O'Connor or 718-856-5080.
  
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 Mercedes Thompson 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.

Looking for Summer Plans?
  
The Arc Baltimore has compiled a complete manual for 2016 Summer Camp and Vacation Opportunities for children and adults with special needs. There are many different resources listed in the manual to help you decide which camp is right for you and ways to help with the cost.

Contact Kelly Bell, Director of Family Living, with any questions 410-296-2272 ext. 5319.

Tech Time Volunteers



We are looking for some volunteers to teach Tech Time at our day center locations.  If you have a few hours a week during the day and are fairly computer savey.  Please contact Debbie Staigerwald at 410-296-2272, ext. 5216.
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.