The Arc Central Chesapeake Region (The Arc) was pleased to host Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller for a tour of The Arc’s Severn Office and Community Hub last week.
The tour began with a warm welcome in the Community Hub, where a group of people The Arc supports in Day Services greeted Lt. Governor Miller with welcome signs and pictures. Lt. Governor Miller enjoyed a game of Jeopardy with the group and toured the rest of The Arc’s Severn Office, which houses the majority of The Arc’s program operations, including Behavioral Health.
Lt. Governor Miller toured the Behavioral Health Suite and learned about the meaningful ways The Arc’s Behavioral Health team is creating access, safety, and support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who have coexisting mental health diagnoses.
“We launched our Behavioral Health program in 2020 to address the lack of behavioral and mental health services available to people with IDD,” said Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO of The Arc. “Now, several years later, it is an honor to tell Lt. Governor Miller that The Arc remains at the forefront of innovative, holistic behavioral healthcare for people with IDD, setting the bar for what person-centered, trauma-informed support looks like in the disability community.”
Due to recent congressional funding, The Arc plans to onboard eight additional clinicians over the next two years, ensuring access to high-quality mental health services for people with IDD throughout Anne Arundel County and Maryland’s Eastern Shore, where there is an even greater lack of mental health support professionals for people with IDD.
The Lt. Governor also met with Judi Olinger, the Executive Director of Chesapeake Neighbors, the affordable housing subsidiary of The Arc. Founded in 2007, Chesapeake Neighbors has a progressive scattered-site development strategy when it comes to creating affordable housing opportunities. Rather than large-scale developments on the fringe of a community, Chesapeake Neighbors rents properties located in desirable areas close to public transportation, grocery stores, parks, and economic activity.
The Arc is grateful for the continued support from the Lt. Governor’s Administration as they continue moving the needle forward in developing affordable housing and providing high-quality programs and services to the IDD community.
Please visit our Facebook page for photos of the Lt. Governor’s visit here.