We are proud of these accomplishments of 2009.

We look forward to continuing our excellent work in the upcoming year.

• The Arc of Frederick County supports people to locate meaningful employment by incorporating their passions, talents, and interests into their career choices. This approach supports people’s ability to maintain long term employment. In 2009, people we serve celebrated the following employment accomplishments: Sarah has been self-employed as an author and advocate for 4 years, Tom celebrated his 3 year anniversary at Best Buy, Curran has worked at Target for 2 years and received a special commendation for excellent customer service, and Andrew has worked with Nassua Broadcasting for more than 1 year.

• In June, Joanna Pierson, Executive Director of The Arc of Frederick County was named President of The American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. AAIDD is a national organization that promotes progressive policies, sound research, effective practices and universal human rights for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This honor in among many of the credits that Joanna Pierson brings to her 30 year position as Executive Director of The Arc of Frederick County.

• By partnering with individuals, families, and advocates from around Maryland, The Arc of Frederick County hosted one of many Town Hall Meetings to address the Developmental Disabilities Administration Waiting List and Community Program Crises. More than 300 people participated in The Arc of Frederick County’s Town Hall Meeting, with thousands of people attending in various locations throughout the state. The Arc of Frederick County would like to thank the O’Malley administration and our local and state officials for the preservation of funding to DDA’s Community Programs in response to our state-wide Town Hall Meetings.

• The Arc of Frederick County and Angles Professional Full-Service Framing partnered to host “Empowered Through Art.”    “Empowered Through Art” was an art competition for people with developmental disabilities of all ages in Frederick County.  Over 40 artists with disabilities submitted nearly 100 pieces of art work.  The work was judged by 4 local professional artists.  Twenty-five pieces from 15 artists were selected to be featured as part of the First Saturday Gallery Walk in downtown Frederick.

• The Leadership, Enrichment and Achievement Program at Frederick Community College is a training and enrichment program for students with developmental disabilities between the ages of 18 and 22. Taught on the FCC Campus and supported by The Arc and Frederick County Public Schools, this course helps students develop positive habits and a proactive approach to life as they learn to apply their strengths and passions to the workforce and adult world. Expansion in this project includes the addition of traditional FCC students who volunteer to make the class inclusive.

• To address the needs of the growing Spanish Speaking population in Frederick County, The Arc offers Support Coordination provided by an employee who speaks Spanish. The Arc’s Hispanic Outreach Services has grown from serving 6 families to more than 20 families this past year. The Arc hosts a monthly Support Group, with respite care, for families. Spanish speaking families can receive Support Coordination to help them navigate through local and state services, make connections to other families, school advocacy, and other needed supports in our community.

• Three young men who partnered with Arc Support Coordinators as part of their transition from Frederick County Public Schools to the adult world and workforce met their goal of moving into an apartment together. The Arc’s “Real World” Program prepared these young men through weekly independent living challenges and monthly stays in an efficiency apartment provided by The Residence Inn by Marriott. With in a year’s time, these guys moved into their own apartment using their skills, family and supports from friends, connections to local resources, and their paychecks from work. The Arc is looking forward to continued expansion in our “Real World” Program.

• Working Together Frederick County Advocacy Group is facilitated with support from The Arc of Frederick County and Service Coordination, Inc. Working Together has a mission to enhance the quality of like for people through self-advocacy, education, and building reciprocating relationships within our community. Some of Working Together’s accomplishments this past year include: traveling to Annapolis to meet with the Frederick County delegation to advocate for and protect services for people with developmental disabilities in Maryland, hosting an activity booth at Frederick’s Annual Children’s Festival, collaborating with the United Way and Frederick County Commissioners to host a dance, and presenting on the importance of inclusion to civic groups and local schools.

• To recognize Autism Awareness month, The Arc collaborated with the Frederick Chapter of the Autism Society of America, Teach Autistic Children Today, Frederick County Public Schools and many other local services for children with Autism to host An Evening of Autism Awareness. The event was held at the C. Burr Artz Library and provided information to families on local resources, legislative advocacy, and served as a venue for parents to make connections with each other.

• Community collaborations are deeply valued and appreciated. The Arc looks towards the Frederick Community to partner with us to create new and inclusive opportunities for people with developmental disabilities. In 2009, The Arc partnered with the Deleplaine Visual Arts Center to offer art classes, Peace in Christ Church to offer a Craft Class, Center of the Four Winds Studio to offer a Creative Movement Class, Frederick County Public Schools to offer Adult Basic Education Courses, local musician, Freddie Long, to offer Music Classes, and Trinity United Methodist Church to host our monthly Sibshops and other events. 

• The Arc of Frederick County supports Transitioning Youth students and adults to locate meaningful employment by incorporating their passions, talents, and interests into their career choices. By partnering with their Support Coordinator, people self-direct their vocational services as they locate community employment. All services are individualized to meet the needs of the person served. In 2009, people served by The Arc of Frederick County were employed at: