| Thank you, December and Hello, January 2025!
The Arc Montgomery County had an exciting December! Gifts were purchased, wrapped, and delivered to the people we support. Other holiday activities included a trip to DC to see the National Christmas Tree, and parties at headquarters and in Rockville for Adult Services. So much fun and looking forward to even more in 2025!
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| Wishes Filled
More than 450 gifts were given this year from partners like SECU, Interim Staffing, Tower Companies, and Holy Cross, as well as individual donors who gave to families and people across our programs. We also had 11 employees of The Arc provide gifts from our wish list. Thank you to the Potomac Valley Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. who wrapped more than 200 gifts in a single night! From a DSP for adults supported in the Meaningful Day program: “(They) were so excited to play with their new football and wear their hoodies. They were at a loss of words due to the quantity and quality of their gifts.”
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Town Hall Draws More Than 200 People
In mid-December, The Arc Maryland and the Maryland Association of Community Services (MACS) held a town hall in Columbia, MD, where more than 200 people representing Developmental Disabilities Provider organizations, people with IDD, family members, and legislators met to discuss major issues that have been impacting our community and systems of support since the beginning of the year.
At least half of the attendees indicated they are or have provided uncompensated care to people with IDD this year, including The Arc Montgomery County. Participants shared they have experienced hold-ups of care plans from the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA), delays in processing at Medicaid's Eligibility Determination Division (EDD) office, and a continuing issue of people being erroneously disenrolled from the Medicaid Waiver. Proposed solutions included a plea to DDA for a renewed focus on restoring lines of communication.
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You’re Invited to an Important Discussion!
Unsure what to expect in 2025 for disability services? Come chat about it!
The Arc Montgomery County invites you to an important hybrid meeting to discuss critical issues affecting the people and families we support, and people with disabilities across the state of Maryland, including the DDA $350M funding deficit, fighting to maintain our funding and avoid a decrease, important information on Medicaid Waiver enrollment and Person-Centered Plan (PCP) denials.
When: Thursday, January 16 at 5:30 PM
Where: The Arc Montgomery County Headquarters – 7362 Calhoun Place Rockville, MD 20855 & on Zoom
This hybrid meeting is your opportunity to hear vital information to help prevent you or your family member(s) avoid disruption to services and be in a position to stay on the Medicaid waiver.
Engage with The Arc’s CEO, Daria Cervantes, hear industry insights, collaborate on strategies to address these pressing challenges, and learn how you can get involved as the legislative session gets underway.
Special guests include:
- Ande Kolp, Executive Director, The Arc Maryland
- Laura Howell, CEO, Maryland Association of Community Services (MACS)
- Greg Snyder, VP of Government Relations, MACS
- Chris Leacock, Government Affairs Specialist, The Arc Montgomery County
We look forward to your participation in this critical discussion. Together, we can make a difference!
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Legislative Advocacy Training
Join The Arc Maryland virtually on Tuesday, January 7 at 10 am, for the annual Legislative Advocacy Training event. In this 60-minute session, learn about what you can expect from the 2025 Legislative Session, brush up on your advocacy skills, and discuss priority legislation of The Arc! This training event is open to all, free to attend, and an opportunity you don’t want to miss!
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Empowering Partners RetreatOn Monday, January 13, from 10 am to 3 pm in Annapolis, meet with other advocacy groups from the state and explore this year's retreat theme “Advocacy Amplified: Equip, Empower, Elevate!” Advocates with lived experience and their DSP supporters are invited to join this free, annual retreat.
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Montgomery County Releases First-of-Its-Kind Accessibility Design Guide
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) has released a new Accessible Design Guide, which provides guidance for developing accessible streets, sidewalks, crosswalks, and other vital public spaces within the County.
It’s the first of its kind and will serve as a national model for inclusive design. The Accessible Design Guide incorporates national and international best-practice research as well as feedback from Montgomery County residents with disabilities, caregivers and service providers. The guide will be used by County agencies when developing and approving plans, including those by developers to ensure that all designs meet the minimum federal, state and local regulations and where possible follow best practices.
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Award-Winning Documentary About Teen With Autism Now on Netflix
Netflix has released a 23-minute documentary about Makayla Cain, a teenage girl with autism who finds her voice through a letter board. Makayla, who has a rare form of autism, has struggled to communicate throughout her childhood. "Makayla's Voice: A Letter to the World" won Best Documentary Short at the Tribeca Film Festival. The film is a celebration of belief, understanding, and the power of connection.
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