The Arc Central Chesapeake Region (The Arc) is pleased to announce that the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County (CFAAC) has awarded The Arc a $25,000 grant to develop a robust Behavioral Health professional development curriculum for clinicians and associates. With this training, The Arc’s Behavioral Health team will be able to better support the unique needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through individual and group therapies.

The funding for the grant comes from federal American Rescue Plan (ARP) dollars provided to Home- and Community-Based Service Providers like The Arc, whose operations were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Despite the many challenges of the pandemic, The Arc has continued to grow and innovate in the holistic, person-centered services we provide,” said Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO of The Arc. “Our Behavioral Health program was born out of the unique challenges COVID-19 created. We are excited to continue to grow this critical service and to invest in and develop resources that will aid our team in providing better services.”

There is a critical shortage of clinicians throughout the state of Maryland with experience in providing mental health counseling and therapies tailored to people with IDD. In addition to growing the number of clinicians and people served through Behavioral Health, The Arc is investing in professional development – ensuring that each clinician and associate has the resources they need to be successful.

“We are so excited to receive this funding and are grateful to CFAAC for recognizing this need,” said Catie Comer, Vice President of Advancement at The Arc. “This grant will support the mental health community – an area of significant need in our county and addressed in the most recent Poverty Amidst Plenty report. We are honored to be a partner in this work.”