We are excited to congratulate Daniel Fluharty, Community Support Assistant, on being the first DSP at The Arc to achieve a NADSP Certification Level 1 through our new DSP Career Ladder Program!

The Arc launched this program on April 1, 2024, to provide professional development opportunities for DSPs to grow in their careers and earn more without having to leave the DSP work they love.

“Part of our strategic plan, Leading Boldly, is providing career mobility opportunities for employees, especially DSPs,” says Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO. “This DSP Career Ladder increases our employees’ skills, recognizes them for their new knowledge and experience by increasing their compensation, and means the people we serve will receive even higher quality support.”

Using the E-Badge system developed by the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP), DSPs at The Arc can attain Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 certifications that correspond to increased pay rates (+$1.00/hr, +$2.00/hr, and +$3.50/hr respectively).

Each certification level requires dozens of hours of training outside of work, and The Arc’s Talent Development team provides support throughout the process.

“The Arc is serious about making this DSP Career Ladder a success,” says Brandy Stephens, Director of Talent Development, “and they are putting the necessary resources and processes into place to make sure employees who seek this avenue of professional development are as successful as possible.”

Over two dozen employees are currently pursuing DSP Certification Level 1 at The Arc, a process that will require 50 hours of online, hybrid, and in-person training in addition to the standard professional development already required for their positions.

And Daniel’s success shows just how meaningful this initiative will be for The Arc’s employees and for the people we support.

“Daniel has gone above and beyond to demonstrate his knowledge and skills through this program,” says Niki Jones, Director of Living Options & Services. “Daniel is already making such a difference in the lives of the people he supports. This certification level means he will be even more equipped to support them in their own decision making.”

We are thrilled to announce that our 2024 Tee It Up for The Arc Golf Tournament successfully raised $228,500, surpassing our goal of $200,000! This is the largest amount ever raised at an Arc event, and we are beyond grateful to everyone who supported its success.

“Children, Youth & Their Families offers critical resources for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our community,” said Sara Pease, Assistant Director of Children, Youth & Their Families. “It’s a 100% donor-funded program, and the money raised will be used to provide access to the therapies, equipment, and services they need and deserve.”

The tournament was sponsored by 75 local organizations and businesses, including Climate Care HVAC Services, BGC G&G, First Citizens Bank, CFG Bank, Bay State Electric, and Hartman Executive Advisors. We are grateful to have hosted 288 golfers for food, drinks, and 18 holes along the river and lakes courses at Queenstown Harbor. You can see a video recap of the Golf Tournament here and pictures from the Golf Tournament here; for a full list of event sponsors, click here.

In total, The Arc will have netted almost $160,000 to support Children, Youth & Their Families. This means that during the 2025 Family Fund grant cycle process, we will have more funds than ever to support children to receive essential services and supports.

“Our programs aim to remove the barriers families face in accessing the support they need,” says Sara, “Access to these critical services creates better outcomes for families as they grow.  ”

At The Arc, we prioritize supporting the children, youth, and families who experience the most need. 

Save the Date! Next year’s 27th Annual Tee it Up for The Arc Golf Tournament will be on Monday, May 12, 2025, at Queenstown Harbor Golf Course.

The Arc Central Chesapeake Region is proud to announce that Jonathon Rondeau, President and CEO, has been named to the Board of Directors of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce. A coalition of more than 6,800 businesses statewide, the Maryland Chamber of Commerce is an impactful group of business leaders from across the state that drives business growth for the good of our communities.

“I am honored to join the Maryland Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors and contribute to the growth and development of our communities at the state-level,” said Jonathon. “I am encouraged by the ways the Maryland Chamber of Commerce creates opportunities for businesses and non-profit organizations, especially progressive and innovative organizations like The Arc.”

Over the last six years, The Arc has grown as an economic leader in the region. As an employer, The Arc now employs more than 560 people to support Arc-facilitated services and corporate enterprise, and the 2,500 Participants in their Self-Directed Services program employ more than 6,000 employees across their teams.

“The Arc is an entrepreneurial enterprise that tackles systemic community issues by providing high-quality services aligned with our mission and creating the vibrant, inclusive, diverse communities we deserve aligned with our vision,” said Jonathon. “We continue to grow and expand our services and initiatives in ways that align with the needs and wants of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families and support networks, and our communities throughout the region.”

As The Arc continues to be an important economic leader, creating new jobs, providing innovative services, and spearheading community development strategies, The Arc will continue to establish meaningful partnerships with like-minded changemakers throughout the state, including those in the Maryland Chamber of Commerce.

The initiatives and projects The Arc is preparing to launch promise incredible opportunities for economic impact, community revitalization, and redevelopment throughout the region. Jonathon’s membership on the Maryland Chamber of Commerce’s board means the perspectives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities will be well-represented at the table.

The Arc Central Chesapeake Region congratulates Megan Lyle, Esq., on being recognized as a 2024 New Leaders Honoree by Leadership Anne Arundel. The award recognizes newly accepted, appointed, or elected leaders who started their positions within the last year and have already made an impact in the Anne Arundel County community.

Megan serves as the Senior Vice President of Administration and General Counsel, and under her leadership, The Arc has strengthened compliance and legal strategy as they navigate the complex regulations and legal issues surrounding human services, housing, and community development.

“Megan is a strategic thinker who provides valuable counsel and resources to leaders throughout our enterprise,” said Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO of The Arc. “Her passion for The Arc’s vision and mission is evident in everything she does, and she is very deserving of this recognition of her dynamic leadership.”

Megan leads all aspects of enterprise-wide compliance, legal strategy and operations, information technology, and corporate governance. As The Arc continues to grow, Megan has further supported the implementation of strategies aligned to The Arc’s current strategic plan, Leading Boldly.

“It’s an honor to be recognized for the contributions I’ve already made at The Arc,” said Megan. “I am proud of the creative and dynamic ways we are supporting the many needs of our community.”

Megan came to The Arc as an accomplished Attorney Advisor after working at several firms, including Black Oak Title, Davidson Fink, and Russo & Toner. She possesses a wide range of experiences in managing, negotiating, and preparing contracts as well as leases, deeds, claims, and disputes.

LAA’s New Leaders Honorees were nominated by LAA Alumni and the community at large. This year, New Leaders were recognized with a celebration on Thursday, May 2. The Arc congratulates Megan on this recognition of her leadership and success in her time so far with The Arc, as well as all other New Leaders Honorees.

Last night at Celebration Impact, The Arc recognized employees, people we support, and community members who have made a significant difference on behalf of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This year’s event provided an excellent opportunity to honor these important leaders at The Arc and beyond and took place on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club on Kent Island, MD.

 The award ceremony began with Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO of The Arc, sharing his perspective on The Arc’s growth, successes, and impact over the last year.

 “At The Arc, we define impact as life-altering, sustainable change,” said Jonathon. “Whether it is community-wide impact or something that more directly influences a person’s life, I am proud to say that I see incredible impact in our work every day, and that is what we are here to honor tonight.”

Awards were presented by Jonathon Rondeau, Joan Green, Lorraine Gallagher, Matt Morgan, Jodie Colombo, Catie Comer, John Sheehan, and Laura Carr, and all recipients were met with great applause and appreciation.

 This year’s Celebration Impact awards went to:

Leadership in Direct Service Award

Junell Nash

Leadership in Administration & Management Award

Kathryn Bucolo

Outstanding Personal Achievement Award

Scott Southerland

Kavita Krishnaswamy

Lorraine Sheehan Advocacy Award

Anatasia Kulick

Phillip Emerson

Leadership in Social Responsibility Award

Call Tracking Metrics

Impact through Leadership Award

Ben & Sarah Harries

“We are very proud to honor each of our awardees tonight for the critical work they are doing in their community, day in and day out,” Jonathon added at the end of the program. “The Arc’s ongoing success and continued impact are possible because of the dedication and resilience of the people we support, our employees, and our community members like those we are honoring tonight.”

All awardees received etched glass trophies and bouquets of flowers from the event, and both employees who won awards will receive a $1,000 bonus as part of their award. It is the largest merit-based award granted to employees at The Arc.

Celebration Impact is held every year by The Arc Central Chesapeake Region, and it continues to be a meaningful night celebrating the profound impacts of the people we support, our employees, and community members.

The Arc Central Chesapeake Region is proud to announce that we have joined the Maryland Tough Baltimore Strong Alliance (MTBSA), a group of organizations and community leaders formed in the aftermath of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse on Tuesday, March 26, 2024.

The MTBSA is a collaborative group of businesses, philanthropic organizations, and non-profits across all sectors committed to ensuring a swift, thorough, and comprehensive recovery from the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.

The Arc recognizes the importance of coming together with other stakeholders to address the challenges and needs arising from this unprecedented event. While there are many challenges and difficulties ahead, there is promise in the number of organizations, leaders, and community members stepping up to support recovery efforts.

By joining the alliance, The Arc aims to bring expertise and resources to the table while advocating for the inclusion and well-being of people with disabilities in the recovery process.

The experiences and perspectives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities will be critical for ensuring an equitable recovery process that works for all Marylanders. Together with the MTBSA, The Arc is committed to building a stronger and more resilient community for all.

We are all #BaltimoreStrong and #MarylandTough

The Arc Central Chesapeake Region (The Arc) is pleased to announce that José Ochoa will be joining the enterprise as the Vice President of Finance where he will lead the corporate finance division. José comes to The Arc at a pivotal moment as The Arc continues to strengthen its financial position and expand services throughout the region.

José possesses over 15 years of progressive leadership experience working in nonprofits and over a decade of experience in financial analysis, budget forecasting, and managing federal and state grants and contracts. Most recently, José served as the Vice President of Finance and Accounting at a very large nonprofit in Texas, where he played a pivotal role in increasing revenue.

“We are excited to welcome José to our Executive Leadership Team,” says Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO of The Arc. “It is essential to have impactful leaders like José who are eager to innovate and explore what’s possible for the good of the people we support.”

As a strategic leader, José is well-versed in managing complex budgets and portfolios with multiple funding streams, as well as all aspects of corporate budgeting, business development, and cash flow management. Given The Arc’s record of exponential growth and increasingly complex portfolio of funding sources, Jose’s expertise, guidance, and leadership will have a profound impact on The Arc’s operations and future financial strength.

“I am deeply inspired by The Arc’s mission and vision, and it’s an honor to join an organization that aligns so closely with my values. I look forward to making a meaningful impact in the lives of the individuals and communities we serve,” says José.

José holds a Master’s of Commerce in finance and logistics from RMIT University Melbourne and a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Colombia.

The Arc Central Chesapeake Region (The Arc) has been an important part of Talbot County history for nearly 20 years and, with the launch of Port Street Commons in Fall 2024, The Arc will continue to be an undeniable part of Talbot County’s future.

The Arc’s commitment to providing high-quality services across Maryland’s Eastern Shore began with serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Talbot County in 2007. Since then, The Arc’s services in the region have grown exponentially and we continue to respond in real-time to the varied needs of the communities we support within Talbot County.

“Talbot County has a distinct history and culture unique from anywhere else in Maryland,” said Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO of The Arc. “When we recognized a gap in services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the County twenty years ago, we understood the importance of meeting people where they were at, understanding the issues at play, and partnering with community leaders and families to create change. And we’re still creating positive change today.”

The Arc’s most notable and innovative contribution to Talbot County may be the launch of Port Street Commons, a 24,000-square-foot multi-use community resource coming to the Town of Easton in Fall 2024. Port Street Commons will combine housing, services, and office space all under one roof, and it will serve as the foundation for The Arc’s innovative community development work in the future alongside Chesapeake Neighbors and Chesapeake Community Development.

“Our organization has had profound impacts in the lives of dozens, if not hundreds, of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the region,” said Greg Snyder, Vice President of Engagement at The Arc, “and Port Street Commons is a permanent, clear demonstration of our commitment to the Town of Easton and all of Talbot County.”

On Talbot Day 2024, Jonathon Rondeau, Greg Snyder, and Judi Olinger, Executive Director of Chesapeake Neighbors, led hard hat tours of the Port Street Commons site where walls have been erected, concrete is being poured, and the future of The Arc’s services is being set in stone.

“Port Street Commons says ‘The Arc and Chesapeake Neighbors are here, we are committed, and we are here to stay’—and we absolutely are,” said Judi.

The Arc’s impact in Talbot County is undeniable. The Arc continues to be an important economic leader, creating new jobs, providing innovative services, and establishing meaningful partnerships with like-minded changemakers throughout the County.

As The Arc looks to the future, the initiatives and projects the enterprise is preparing to launch promise incredible opportunities for more economic impact, more community revitalization, more community-integrated services, and more opportunities to reimagine our communities for the betterment of us all.

The Arc Central Chesapeake Region (The Arc) is pleased to announce that Greg Snyder, the Vice President of Engagement, has been selected to join the Living Classrooms Foundation Rising Stars 2024 program presented by the Baltimore Business Journal. The Rising Stars program recognizes a small group of young professionals as the next generation of Baltimore philanthropists and business leaders.

“I am excited to count myself among this year’s Rising Stars, which is such a prestigious recognition,” said Greg. “I am eager to represent The Arc’s mission and vision while connecting with like-minded changemakers so we can create meaningful dialogue about expanding high-quality services for the people with intellectual and developmental disabilities we support.”

Rising Stars members are chosen based on their outstanding achievements in their professional and personal lives. In the program, Rising Stars participate in various networking opportunities and become ambassadors and supporters of Living Classrooms’ education and workforce development initiatives.

“Greg is a dynamic leader committed to educating people at all intersections of business and community leadership around the importance of centering people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in everything we do,” said Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO of The Arc. “He is beyond deserving of this recognition because of his personal and professional drive to see innovation and improvement in the lives of the people we support.”

In his role as The Arc’s Vice President of Engagement, Greg Snyder leads The Arc’s government and community relations while managing the legislative agenda for The Arc and its subsidiaries. He developed and supports The Arc’s Living Boldly self-advocacy group, is Chair of the Anne Arundel County Commission on Disability Issues, and is a member of the Central Maryland Chamber, among other commissions, boards, and groups. Greg currently serves on the Board of Directors of Keep Punching, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing and eradicating brain cancer. He received The Daily Record’s 2020 VIP List Award, recognizing successful professionals under 40 in Maryland, and he is a graduate of Shore Leadership 2023.

The Arc Central Chesapeake Region (The Arc) congratulates Jodie Colombo, Director of Day Services, on her acceptance to the Shore Leadership Class of 2024. Over the course of the year, Jodie will complete the hands-on professional development program dedicated to building a better Maryland by harnessing the strength of local business and community leaders on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

The Arc provides essential services and referrals to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) across eight counties on the Eastern Shore, and Jodie is eager to build new partnerships, engage in meaningful conversations, and ensure the issues impacting people with IDD in the region are centered in their discussions.

“It is exciting to have the opportunity to come together as community leaders who are all interested in doing more for the people we serve throughout our communities,” said Jodie. “I am excited to work with the people in my cohort and advocate so that actionable improvements can be made for people with IDD on the Eastern Shore.”

Community is at the heart of The Arc’s mission and vision as an organization. As The Arc continues to grow and enrich its services throughout the Eastern Shore, building strong connections with like-minded change-makers is a key step.

The Arc congratulates Jodie on this recognition of her leadership and success in her career, along with all other members of the Shore Leadership Class of 2024.

Shore Leadership is a professional development program dedicated to enhancing the quality of life on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Shore Leadership participants interface with community leaders and experts from organizations and institutions that shape the region’s structure and culture. Participants meet once monthly to focus on key topics of regional interest. Shore Leadership has been facilitating positive change in the region since 1997.