Dear Friends, Family & Supporters of The Arc NCR,
We are reaching out because we need your help! The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a reduction in the revenue needed for our state’s budget. To fix the budget, the state government is considering budget cuts across certain departments and state agencies, including the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA). Any cut to the DDA budget would be devastating. Already our services have been disrupted and the agency MUST continue to keep people with disabilities and staff safe while absorbing additional costs for personnel, personal protective equipment, food, and other fixed costs.
As an agency we rely on DDA services to help all supported individuals with personal care, job coaching, getting into the community, equipment in their homes, etc.
The Direct Support Professionals that support individuals are essential and needed so people with differing abilities can live, work and thrive!
If you live in Maryland, PLEASE CONSIDER REACHING OUT TO THE GOVERNOR, THE COMPTROLLER, AND THE TREASURER TO LET THEM KNOW THAT ANY CUTS TO DDA WILL CAUSE SIGNIFICANT HARDSHIP TO SOMEONE YOU KNOW AND LOVE! Emails are listed below and thank you for your continued support.
Also, we will be posting on this topic on our
Facebook page
several days each week! Please consider sharing posts and commenting as well. This will also help get the word out.
#SaveDDFunding
#WeAreEssential
How
Can
YOU
Help?
How can you help? The Arc NCR is urging all supporters of individuals with differing abilities to email our elected leaders asking them to NOT make cuts to DDA funding for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD). You can email the elected officials below advocating for the funding that is so critical for our future. Here are each of their emails:
Thank you for your continued support!
Check out this video about our own heroes at The Arc NCR! Our Direct Support Professionals are on the front line everyday! #WeAreEssential #SaveDDFunding
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Thank you Freedom Federal Credit Union
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Thank you so much to
Freedom Federal Credit Union
for donating pizzas to our Community Living homes as part of our Virtual Dance Party with our own DJ Joe Hughes, Director of Employment Services! Everyone enjoyed the tasty pizzas and had such a great time listening and dancing to the music that DJ Joe provided.
Freedom Federal Credit Union
is also our Title Sponsor for this year's 16th Annual After d'Arc Gala- Let's Get Wild, to be held on Friday, October 30, 2020! Thank you again!
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A big shout out to all of our Direct Support Professionals who have achieved DSP Certifications! Congratulations on your continued hard work and dedication in empowering those with differing abilities to live, work and thrive in the community!
DSP1:
Amanda Wurm
Ricky Knapp
Judith Miles
Laura Deigert
Serifat Busari
Marlice Roberts
Kaitlyn Selchert
Michael Welch
Deneen Lucas
Kelsea Copenhaver
Juel Ebron
Gaye Ramsey-Weems
Elarnda Hill
Joel Githinji
DSP 11:
Jessica Jackson
Lisa Edwards
Micayah Johnson
Serifat Buscari
Judith Miles
Dennen Lucas
Michael Welch
Juel Ebron
DSP 111
:
Micayah Johnson
Serifat Buscari
Deneen Lucas
Lisa Edwards
Jessica Jackson
Also, congratulations to Sherry Klapaska on receiving her CESP Certification and Kelli Clawson on receiving her CEP Certification!
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In addition to this success, the DORS program has hired and filled 21 positions in the community, all during the pandemic! These positions include cart pushers, stockers, custodians, nursing aides and security guards.
Thank you so much to all the employers who continue to support and hire individuals with differing abilities. The Arc NCR is so thankful for everything you do!
If your business is interested in learning more about our Employment Services Program at The Arc NCR, contact Joe Hughes, Director of Employment Services, at
jhughes@arcncr.org
. To learn more about Employment Services visit this link
here.
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Show your Arc NCR Spirit and let it shine! The Arc NCR has put together Spirit Weeks for all supported individuals, families, and team members. It is a great way to focus on the positive and still have fun while staying safely at home. Community Living homes are having a blast and everyone is joining in on the fun. Thank you to everyone who has been participating in Spirit Weeks as we continue to empower individuals with differing abilities throughout the pandemic.
For more information on the latest Spirit Week follow this link
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Trip to Decoy Museum in Havre de Grace!
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Did you know that people with disabilities are historically underrepresented in the census? This could be happening for a variety of reasons, but it is important that we work together to change our story! Let's do our best to make sure people with I/DD and their families are counted.
The three biggest reasons why the census is important:
- Funding
- Representation
- Business and Government Planning
We encourage everyone to fill out the 2020 Census! It only takes 8-10 minutes online. Learn more at this link here-
https://www.ndrn.org/census/
.
Thank you for coming together to support this effort! People with I/DD count! Let's make sure they are counted!
#
2020Census
#DisabilityCounts2020
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Call to Action- How Can You Help?
The Arc NCR has been extremely touched by the outpouring of support from the community. Many of you have reached out to offer help and see how you can support us as we continue to provide essential services to the people we support during these uncertain times. Please click the link below to see our most recent “Call to Action." Some ideas in the call to action include:
- Consider investing in a Membership with The Arc NCR. Check out this link here to learn more- https://arcncr.org/donate/membership/. Your Membership matters now more than ever!
- Donating to Support our Direct Support Professionals (DSPs)
- Supplies for Community Living Homes
- Resource Sharing
- Adopt-a-Home Care Packages
- Sending Encouragement to DSPs and People We Support
To learn more about how you can help follow this link-
Here.
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Resource Guide During COVID-19
Face Masks and Children
:
Mental Health Resources:
Social Security- Press Releases
Updates on COVID-19-The Arc NCR Website
DHS, MDOD and Salvation Army Launch Feeding Program
- Call 2-1-1 to access food programs. People over the age of 60, should call Maryland Access Point, 1-844-627-5465 or www.marylandaccesspoint.info
The Arc@School:
- Do You Find the Special Education Process Confusing?
- You have options to learn how to understand and advocate for your child. One of those options is The Arc@School by The Arc of the United States. The Arc@school was created in 2016 by The Arc US to help families and professionals navigate the special education system.
- FAMILIES – learn to advocate for the services and supports your child needs.
- ADVOCATES – support students with disabilities and their families in navigating the special education system.
- PROFESSIONALS – get the information you need to better serve your students, understand what is required by law, and build relationships with families.
- There are 8 modules included in the curriculum such as: Building a Foundation for Advocacy, IDEA, Early Intervention Services, Section 504, the IEP, Procedural Safeguards and more.
- Purchase nearly 10 hours of self-paced training for only $99. With this special offer save $5 off the cost- PROMO CODE: thearc336.
- To learn more click HERE.
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Camp Sp'Arc 2020 Cancelled
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Regrettably, this summer’s 2020 Camp Sp'Arc is cancelled. The Arc NCR’s top priority is the health and safety of our campers, staff, volunteers, and community. Due to current restrictions under the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization did not feel it could have engaging and fun activities similar to last year while maintaining safety standards. We will miss all our campers and volunteers so much this year and we thank you for understanding. Please know that it is our goal to host Camp Sp’Arc again in summer 2021.
We also would like to thank Camp Sp’Arc’s highest level sponsor, our Inclusion Sponsor,
APGFCU
. In the absence of Camp Sp’Arc, APGFCU is gearing their funds towards supporting our essential Direct Support Professionals during COVID-19. Our DSP’s have worked tirelessly to continue supporting people with differing abilities and we appreciate APGFCU’s support of them!
Lastly, The Arc NCR is currently working behind the scenes to develop a fun and engaging Virtual Respite Program that will premier this summer. Please be on the lookout for more information to come soon!
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16th Annual After d'Arc Gala-Let's Get Wild!
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The Arc NCR's 16th Annual
After d’Arc Gala
“Let’s Get Wild” - a jungle-safari inspired themed gala that was due to be held on Saturday, April 4, 2020 is now being postponed until
Friday, October 30, 2020.
The Gala will take place from 7:00-11:30 p.m. at
Water's Edge Events Cent
er
on this new date.
We appreciate your flexibility with this new date. We hope that you will remain excited for a safari ride into the wild with live music by the Klassix, silent & live auctions, live casino, bourbon tasting, amazing food & drinks, s'more bar and so much more!
Mark your calendars now for
Friday, October 30, 2020
because you are not going to want to miss this gala! Sponsorship's are available now. If you have any questions contact us at
development@arcncr.org
for more information.
Let's Get Wild!
16th Annual After d'Arc Gala
New Date: Friday, October 30,2020
Where: Water's Edge Events Center
Time: 7:00-11:30 p.m.
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The Arc NCR's Family Support Services program is the agency's 2020 Fund the Need for this year’s 16
th
annual After d’ Arc Gala-Let’s Get Wild! From successful parent to parent support groups to a brand-new summer camp for children of all abilities from ages 6 – 21, Family Support Services is empowering families and individuals to live their best lives. Family Support Services provides services for the “Arc” of a lifetime through three initiatives including Discovery & Navigation, Networking & Connecting and Programs & Training. To learn more about Family Support Services or to donate visit
https://afterdarc.org/fund-the-need/
.
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Looking for a way to support The Arc NCR? Raffle tickets for our Saxon's Jewelry Raffle are ON SALE NOW! Tickets are good for a chance to win one of two grand prizes shown below. One ticket for $20 or 3 tickets for $40! You
do not need
to be present to win and the drawing takes place at the Let’s Get Wild Gala on Friday, October 30, 2020.
- First drawing is a Hearts on Fire, 1 Carat Lorelei "Hearts on Fire" Diamond Necklace that is absolutely STUNNING!
- Second drawing is a $1,000 Shopping Spree at Saxon’s to pick out what you would personally like!
This is a great way to support the After d'Arc Gala if you can’t make it this year. To buy your tickets, contact Development at
development@arcncr.org
or buy them online
here
and we will send your tickets in the mail. Thank you to
Saxon's Diamond Centers
for being our Jewelry Sponsor for the 2020 After d' Arc Gala!
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- 16th Annual After d'Arc Gala Let's Get Wild:
October 30, 2020
- Sprout Film & Art Festival:
January 14, 2021
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The Arc Northern Chesapeake Region
4513 Philadelphia Road Aberdeen, MD 21001
Questions about anything you've read? Contact Kelli Clawson,
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