Developmental Disabilities Day

Constituents from The Arc Montgomery County participated in a record-breaking Developmental Disabilities Day on February 22. After the presentations and briefings, they headed to the legislature for appointments with their representatives, advocating for session priorities and educating legislators about the effects that budget shortfalls and certain bills will have on people with disabilities, their families, and the organizations which support them.

Make March a Month of Advocacy

It is stories from family members and self-advocates which grab the attention of our elected officials and cause them to become educated about our issues.

Please take a few moments during Developmental Disabilities Awareness month to reach out to your legislators about issues which are critical to the welfare of people with I/DD!

Don't know who represents you? Click here to find out. Below are two items which need your immediate attention.

Keep the Promise of 3.5%

Governor Hogan's budget reduced a mandated 3.5% rate increase for providers of developmental disability services to only 1%. It's legal but complicated, and can be undone by the Maryland General Assembly. Ask your representatives to restore the DDA community services rate increase to 3.5%! Click here to learn more.

Fight for $15

Tell your Maryland representatives that you support SB543/HB664! It is the only minimum wage bill that addresses the need for funding developmental disabilities services. Increases to the minimum wage will help people earn a living wage, and accompanying increases to DDA funding will keep direct support professionals from becoming minimum wage workers. Better wages=better support services! Click here to learn more.

Looking for a summer volunteer opportunity?

Our summer volunteer program is SSL approved, fun, and geared toward hands-on experiences. Students can choose from several time slots and set their own weekly schedules to accommodate summer vacations and other activities while also volunteering. We need lots of willing hands to support our child care and youth enrichment summer programs! Click here to learn more.

Disability Inclusion Resource Fair

The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington is holding a Disability Inclusion Resource Fair on Sunday, March 18 from 1:00-3:30 pm for young adults with disabilities and their families. Learn about social, recreational, vocational, employment, housing and financial resources and opportunities from over 35 organizations in the community. Space is limited, register today! Click here for more information.

Free Webinar: Planning Financially for Special Needs

The Parents' Place of Maryland presents Putting It All Together: Planning Financially for Special Needs, a FREE webinar for families on Wednesday, March 14, 12-1:30 pm. Featuring local speaker Eric Jorgensen, topics covered will include ABLE accounts, Special Needs Trusts, and how they can compliment each other.

Click here for more information. Registration is required; click here to register.

Free Autism Training

The Center for Autism and Related Disorders at Kennedy Krieger Institute is offering a free training, "The Relational Needs of Parents and Children with Autism," on Wednesday, March 21 from 11:30 am-12:30 pm in Baltimore. Registration is required. Click here to register or call Hanna Hutter at 443.923.7596.

Join the (Book) Club!

Our Next Chapter Book Club in Rockville is looking for young adults who have developmental disabilities to join them on a reading adventure! The group meets at 3:30 pm on Sunday afternoons in North Bethesda. They read aloud and discuss books ranging from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone to The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.

Each person purchases his/her own books, and also becomes a member of The Arc Montgomery County. Interested potential new members should contact Deborah Mark at DeborahM@arcmontmd.org.

Upcoming Dates

March 2 — Community, Staff & Volunteer Awards Reception (Rockville, MD)

March 4 — SibShops (Tenbrook Drive)

March 7 — Tools for School (Nebel Sreet)

March 9 — Volunteer Orientation (Nebel Sreet)

March 17 — Voluntter Orientation (Nebel Street)

March 27 — Volunteer Orientation (Nebel Street)

Click here to view more details for any date.

The Arc Montgomery County's mission is to identify, create and sustain inclusive communities that embrace and engage individuals and families affected by intellectual and developmental disabilities. We support children, youth, adults and seniors with and without disabilities, and their families, by providing inclusive child care, work skills training, employment, community living services, resources, advocacy and respite care.

We invite you to Achieve with us.

TheArcMontgomeryCounty.org

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11600 Nebel Street | Rockville, MD | 20852 US

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