Foundation for Central Special student who died last year provides funding to aid people with disabilities through Arc

Ten thousand dollars in funding for Autism-related requests is available for the first time this year through the Arc Central Chesapeake Region partnership with the Bowen Foundation for Autism, which is an organization for namesake Bowen Levy, who died last year after choking on a glove at Central Special School in Edgewater.

The Arc Central Chesapeake Region, a local nonprofit that supports children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Anne Arundel County and Maryland’s Eastern Shore, has also made $30,000 of funding available for local families who have children with disabilities, through their Family Fund grant program.

The funding is to cover therapies and specialized medical equipment critical to these children’s success that are not covered by insurance – and are financially out of reach for families. The additional $10,000 of funding available specifically for Autism-related requests is being offered for the first time this year.

According to Director of Development and Communications Catie Comer, this is the third year the Family Fund grant program funding has been made available to the community.

In the past, funding has been given to families to provide services such as “respite care, riding therapy, and in one case, a universal stand for eye gaze technology; which allows a person who cannot communicate verbally to use the communication technology anywhere they go.”
Funding for camps is also available, however, this is to be used in conjunction with other existing resources for camps is also available, however, this is to be used in conjunction with other existing resources for camps. For more information, and to access the grant application, see www.thearcccr.org/familyfund.
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The Arc Central Chesapeake Region Announces $30,000 Family Fund to Support Local Children with Disabilities

The Arc Central Chesapeake Region, a nonprofit committed to transforming lives for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), announced today over $30,000 available for Maryland youth through their Family Fund grant. Created in 2017, the Family Fund provides grants for services and supports not covered by insurance.

“We are very grateful for the generosity of our community, which makes this fund possible,” said Jonathon Rondeau, CEO, The Arc. “There are effective therapies, services, and adaptive equipment available to support children with disabilities, but these resources are expensive, and are often not covered by insurance. With our Family Fund, we work to fill the gaps in access to the supports we know make a significant difference in the lives of youth with a disability.”

This grant cycle includes $10,000 of Autism-specific funding, contributed by The Bowen Foundation for Autism.

“We are excited to widen the reach of the Family Fund, with the support of our affiliate, The Bowen Foundation for Autism,” said Rondeau. “Last year we granted out $20,000. We are grateful for the opportunity to provide even more support to the community, as access to these supports are critical in ensuring children with disabilities thrive.”

The Arc is seeking applicants that have a child with I/DD under the age of 21, who reside in Maryland. Applications for the Family Fund open March 1, 2020, with awards issued in May of this year.

The complete application is available on The Arc’s website, www.thearccc.org/familyfund.

The Family Fund does not cover emergency or crisis requests. If you require emergency funding, please contact resources@thearcccr.org and The Arc will assist you with appropriate resources.

About The Arc Central Chesapeake Region
The Arc Central Chesapeake Region provides services and supports to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through living options, workforce development, and fiscal management services. Serving Anne Arundel County and the Eastern Shore of Maryland, The Arc provides an innovative, person-directed approach across the arc of a person’s life with a focus on equity and self-determination. www.thearcccr.org

The Arc Central Chesapeake Region Announces $10,000 Grant to Develop Relationship Training for Direct Support Professionals in Maryland.

The Arc Central Chesapeake Region, a nonprofit committed to transforming lives for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, today announced that it had been awarded a $10,000 grant from The Arc Maryland. The Arc Central Chesapeake Region, in collaboration with Dr. Karyn Harvey, will create and implement a training program for Direct Support Professionals to learn how to facilitate authentic relationships, with a focus on friendships, for people with a disability.

“We are thrilled to receive the grant, which will help us empower dedicated Direct Support Professionals who provide the supports and expertise that help people with a disability live, work, play, and thrive in the community,” said Jonathon Rondeau, CEO, The Arc Central Chesapeake Region. “Many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are limited to relationships with family and paid staff, and while those relationships are important, they do not always extend into the broader community. Our goal is to transform how Direct Support Professionals approach identifying and creating opportunities for connection and authentic friendships for people with a disability. This training will be the first of its kind in our area, and we could not develop this program without the expertise of Dr. Harvey. We look forward to bringing this new model to Maryland.”

The Arc Central Chesapeake Region, in partnership with Dr. Karyn Harvey, will create and implement a training program for Direct Support Professionals around facilitating the development and sustainment of authentic relationships, with a focus on friendships, for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The initiative will utilize a Train-the-Trainer model for sustainability, and The Arc Central Chesapeake Region will continue to invest in future trainee cohorts with the goal of all Arc team Direct Support Professionals receiving this training. Technology will be leveraged to expand the reach and impact of the training. Lessons learned and best practices of this pilot training will serve the broader disability community in Maryland by providing a practical model for advancing our common vision of equity and access for people with intellectual and development disabilities.

About The Arc Central Chesapeake Region
www.thearcccr.org

The Arc Central Chesapeake Region provides services and supports to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through living options, workforce development and fiscal management services. Serving Anne Arundel County and the Eastern Shore of Maryland, The Arc provides an innovative, person-directed approach across the arc of a person’s life with a focus on equity and self-determination.

About Dr. Karyn Harvey
https://karynharvey.org/index.html

Dr. Harvey has worked as a clinician in the field of intellectual disabilities for over 25 years. She has a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and a Ph.D. in Applied Developmental Psychology from the University of Maryland.  She has published articles about therapeutic interventions with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), workbooks for individuals with IDD and two books; Positive Identity Development, and Trauma-Informed Behavioral Interventions. In 2016 she received the Earl Loschen Award from NADD for Excellence in Clinical Practice.

About The Arc Maryland
http://www.thearcmd.org/

The Arc Maryland works to create a world where children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities have and enjoy equal rights and opportunities. The Arc Maryland is the largest statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to the rights and quality of life of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

The Arc Central Chesapeake Region Announces Newest Board Member, Raj Kudchadkar

The Arc Central Chesapeake Region and Laura Austin, President of the Board, are pleased to announce the addition of Raj Kudchadkar to the Board of Directors, effective January 9, 2020. A strong, diverse, and committed Board of Directors is integral to The Arc’s recently updated and robust strategic plan. The addition of Raj Kudchadkar strengthens organizational governance and sustainability as The Arc works to achieve full inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“We are excited to welcome Raj Kudchadkar to our Board,” said Jonathon Rondeau, Chief Executive Officer at The Arc. “An accomplished business leader, Raj brings a deep commitment to equity and inclusion, complementing our mission and vision. We look forward to sharing in Raj’s ability to build community while tackling systems change. We have a tremendous Board of Directors here at The Arc, dedicated to changing lives for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and Raj is a terrific addition to our team.”

Raj Kudchadkar is the Director of Business Development for the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education. Before his work with the Coalition, Kudchadkar was President and CEO of the Central Maryland Chamber of Commerce and was voted one of Seven Anne Arundel County Newsmakers in 2017. Kudchadkar holds a Juris Doctor from American University, a Masters in Public Policy from Columbia University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Carleton College. Kudchadkar is a 2019 graduate of Leadership Anne Arundel and also sits on the Board of the Central Maryland Transportation Alliance.

Read the Capital Gazette article: https://www.capitalgazette.com/neighborhoods/ac-cn-peoplekudchadkar-01262020-20200127-3fo6qqlz5fbmdpx4r5j2jajdje-story.html

BBQ Joint in Easton Fundraiser

Join us on Monday, January 13th at The BBQ Joint Easton. Enjoy lunch or dinner by dining in or carry-out and 10% of the proceeds will be donated to The Arc!

*????? ?????* – from 11:00AM – 2:00PM you will have the opportunity to take a picture with a real pig onsite!

Located in the heart of downtown Easton, The BBQ Joint is a small casual restaurant serving up Chef Andrew Evans’ award-winning competition BBQ in Easton, MD.

 

Snowflake Ball

Join The Arc Central Chesapeake Region for an evening of dinner and dancing at the Snowflake Ball. The ball will take place on Saturday, January 25th, 2020 at The DoubleTree by Hilton – Annapolis from 6:00PM – 10:00PM.

Registration will close on January 20, 2020 – no registration will be available at the door. Each person attending must purchase a ticket for themselves. Tickets are $25 each. Free tickets are reserved for staff who will be working with the person they support throughout the event. You may register multiple people at a time, but please make sure to list any dietary requests on the registration form along with the person’s name.

You may pay with rep payee funds by selecting that ticket option. However, all payment must be received prior to January 25th.

The Snowflake Ball will take place rain, shine, or snow. No refunds will be granted for inclement weather.

Questions? Email events@thearcccr.org or call 410.384.4072.