Checking In with The Arc Maryland
Direct Support Professional Recognition Week
September 8th to 14th, we celebrate Direct Support Professional Recognition Week! Join us in thanking Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) for the work they do to support people with I/DD and their families. Direct Support Professionals: thank you for your incredible work!

DSPs play an important role in the lives of many people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) and their families across the state of Maryland and beyond. To better understand the work of DSPs and their importance to the community, we invite you to hear stories from DSPs, and people they support, as they describe what it means to be a Direct Support Professional or to receive support from one in the heart for it . Watch the full video by clicking below. You can also visit our YouTube channel to see shorter clips focusing on the importance of DSPs from the perspective of families, people who receive services and supports, and Direct Support Workers themselves!
Join the efforts of The Arc and our many partners as we work to change the dialogue about DSPs to one of acknowledgement, respect, and demand for professional recognition.
The Maryland Conference of Executives of The Arc (MCE) Leadership Kick-Off Retreat
Class is in session! On September 4th and 5th, we kicked off the 2019-2020 MCE Leadership - The Arc class. MCE Leadership is an executive development program that prepares professionals from Maryland chapters of The Arc for leadership roles in the organization.

During our two-day retreat in Ellicott City, participants discovered more about their personal leadership styles, developed a personal leadership vision, met with chapter executives, and much more. Check out photos from our active, and jam-packed two-day event on our Facebook page.

Thank you to the UMBC Training Centers: Center for Leadership and Innovation for their outstanding facilitation throughout the day!

Next stop for MCE Leadership: Learning about the Legislative Process at the Maryland Capitol in Annapolis in October!
Wednesday, August 28th, The Arc Maryland held its yearly Governmental Affairs Retreat to review priorities for the upcoming 2020 Legislative Session in January. Stakeholders from across the state and representatives from all 10 partner chapters of The Arc, joined to mold our priorities to best fit the needs of people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities across Maryland. We have a lot of work to do to in advance of session this year. With an ever changing state and competing interests, it is vital that the Governor and members of the General Assembly are aware of our needs prior to the start of the legislative session in January of 2020. Following feedback from chapters of The Arc across Maryland and other stakeholders, our 2020 Public Policy Platform will be made available on our website. To get involved, please see your local Arc organization or call Luc Chausse at The Arc Maryland today at 410-571-9320 .
Partners in Policymaking ® : Class Member Spotlight -
Justin Valenti
Justin Valenti of Gaithersburg is a member of the Maryland 2019 Partners in Policymaking class who is graduating next month. He is currently in a job training internship at the National Institute of Health. As an artist, author, and drummer, Justin is quite the renaissance man! He has worked with the VisAbility Art Lab at VisArts in Rockville, published two books, and Justin’s band, Neurodiversity, performs at disability-related events in Montgomery County. Justin likes photography, digital art, animation, and graphic design. He has a pug named Tom.

“I have gained a lot of knowledge about topics related to self-advocacy and leadership,” said Justin on his Partners experience. He continued, “I have also met many amazing people while in the Partners program who are great examples of leadership and self-advocacy.” Justin recently put his self-advocacy skills to work as he spoke with the Maryland General Assembly and the U.S. Congress on inclusion of students with disabilities. He is also an active member of STAND Together and People On The Go of Maryland where he weighs in on advocacy issues to promote equal rights and opportunities for people with disabilities.
In the News
Unique Program Teaches People With Disabilities To Be Care Providers
A new wave of DSPs is entering the workforce out of Washington D.C.! The Direct Support Professional Academy, located in the nation's capital, is training a class of 12 students with I/DD to become certified DSPs over a six week, 120 hour training course. The course, which is free to participants, is funded by the Washington Department of Disability Services. The current class is the second of its kind at the DSP Academy, but the first featuring adults ready to join the legion of DSPs across the country.
Why My Son With Down Syndrome Deserves 'Dignity of Risk'
Michelle Tetschner, our newest Board Member, shared her personal experiences with her son and the importance of ensuring people have the dignity of risk in their lives. Having the opportunity to take assumed risks in life leads to enhancements in self-esteem and ultimately to greater independence.
House Speaker Adrienne Jones Announces Dozens of Leadership, Committee Changes
Adrienne Jones, the Maryland Speaker of the House of Delegates appointed in May, has announced a series of changes in leadership. While all six House committee chairs will remain the same as 2019, changes have come in subcommittee chairs and vice chairs. Additionally, Delegate Eric Luedtke of Montgomery County was announced as the new Majority Leader of the House.
Upcoming Events
Come  Pull! for The Arc  on September 20th on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Enjoy local foods, craft beverages, and friendly competition for a great cause. All proceeds benefit The Arc Central Chesapeake Region, proudly serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Anne Arundel, Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Talbot and Queen Anne’s counties.

You don’t need to bring a thing!
Tickets include 50 targets, guns, shells, ear and eye protection, breakfast, and lunch.
Can’t make it to the shoot? Lunch tickets sold separately.

Sponsorships are available!   Contact  events@thearcccr.org   or 410-384-4072 for more information.
The Arc of Frederick County is excited to announce our Inaugural Jazz Brunch being held on Sunday, September 22nd from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at 555 South Market Street. Enjoy a meal prepared by The Arc's Culinary Program while listening to relaxing jazz music by Jazz Connection. All proceeds support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities! Single tickets are $30 each and sponsorships are available!
Join The Arc Howard County for a day on the green! The 2019 TEE IT UP for The Arc Annual Golf Tournament will be played at the beautiful Waverly Woods Golf Club on Friday, October 4th, starting at 9 AM. The tournament will feature 18 holes of golf, lunch, course beverages, golfer prizes, sponsor gifts and much more. Click the button below to fill out the registration form to sign up today!
Registration is open for the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration's 2019 Maryland Employment First Summit! The 5th annual summit to champion the workplace inclusion of people with disabilities is open to individuals in services, provider agencies, employment specialists, CCSs, Families
Learn from the best in the Disability Community! The Arc's National Convention is an unmatched opportunity to connect and learn with advocates, professionals, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and their families. If you are interested in employment, education, advocacy, housing, criminal justice, and more - sessions are sure to challenge, inspire, and motivate!

Register for the four-day event today!
Join The Arc Washington County for the 8th anniversary of "Dancing With The Arc Stars!" Celebrate our accomplishments with dinner and dancing entertainment on Saturday, October 12, 2019. Festivities begin at 6:00 PM with the cocktail hour featuring a dance exhibition by students from Ballet and All That Jazz and Barbara Ingram School of Arts. . A gourmet dinner and dance competition will start at 7:00 PM.

Every vote counts! Purchasing a ticket for your favorite dance team will count as votes! Undecided? Purchase the Dancing With The Arc Stars Ticket!
Get crackin’ at The Arc Baltimore's 18th Annual Art in the Round! Join them on October 18th at the Grand Lodge in Hunt Valley. With 80 pieces of art on exhibit representing over 60 artists with developmental disabilities, attendees gain special access to the artists to hear about their work. You may just fall in love with a particular piece like our featured art selected from our exhibit last year entitled “Maryland Blues” by artist Maria Rosner. Then, by bidding generously, it can be the centerpiece of your home. With an open bar and heavy hors d’oeuvres, you’ll feel like the cat’s meow all while benefiting The Arc Baltimore’s mission.
All artists submitting artwork for review must fully complete an artist packet and drop it off at The Arc Baltimore's Main Office in Towson no later than September 13th to be considered. Artists may send a digital image of your artwork along with the artist packet. Please note that we receive over 200 submissions and can only accept 80 pieces into the exhibit and auction.
Parents' Place of Maryland is hosting Pete Wright, Esquire for a day long training on special education law and advocacy. Wrightslaw programs are designed to meet the needs of families and community members who represent children with disabilities regarding special education. The program is not disability specific.

This one-day special education law and advocacy program will focus on four areas:
  • Special education law, rights and responsibilities
  • Tests and measurements to measure progress & regression
  • SMART IEPs
  • Introduction to tactics & strategies for effective advocacy
The Arc Southern Maryland is pleased to invite you to their 5th annual Trick-or-Trot fundraising event!

Choose to participate in the spooky 5K or the eerie 1K Fun Run/Walk/Roll! Costumes are encouraged, and even celebrated in our costume contest! There will be fun for ghouls and goblins of all ages and abilities! Save the date now! It will be a fun-filled day for the whole family.

Available Activities Include:
  • Meet and take photos with Southern Maryland Blue Crabs mascot, Pinch
  • Mini “pumpkin” decorating
  • Bean bag toss
  • Plinko
  • Scavenger hunt
  • Halloween photo “booth”
  • & more!