Doomsday Budget impacts people with disabilities:

A special session of the General Assembly will be called in mid-May to address the "Doomsday Budget" passed earlier this month when the legislature was unable to reach a balanced budget agreement. This budget has a total of $512 million in cuts and eliminates the critically needed 2% rate increase for developmental disability services. It also cuts $204 million from K-12 school/education funding, which affects children with developmental disabilities.

Your action is needed to ensure that legislators restore the 2% rate increase for DD community supports and services to the FY 2013 budget during the special session! Please call your legislators today and let them know:

-If the 2% rate increase is eliminated, individuals with developmental disabilities will be hurt, as their supports continue to erode.
-Children with developmental disabilities will be negatively impacted with such drastic cuts to the K-12 Education budget.
To find your representative, please click here.

The Arc turns 60! Save the date to celebrate!

In 1952, Prince Georgian families united to seek better opportunities for their children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and The Arc was formed! Celebrate 60 years of advocacy, support, understanding, and opportunities with us at our 60th Anniversary Membership Dinner on June 28th at Martin's Crosswinds in Greenbelt. The event is sponsored by Comcast Business Services and will include our Annual Membership Meeting as well as the Birthday Celebration. We will honor staff for their years of service, thank Arc Society Members, and elect the new Board of Directors. You won't want to miss this historic celebration! More information will follow. Questions? Contact Elizabeth Wilson at ewilson@thearcofpgc.org.

What will happen to my family member when I'm no longer here?

For families of people with disabilities, the question of what will happen when the family member or caregiver are no longer here can create a great deal of anxiety. It is essential to plan for your family member's future and ensure that they will have the supports and resources they need after you are gone. The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council recently published Planning Now: A Futures and Estate Planning Guide for Families of Children and Adults with Developmental Disabilities. This resource has wonderful information about planning for the future! Click here to download your free copy.

Out on the Town Summer Session starts in June!

Out on the Town is a social club for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Groups of eight members meet two times per month on weekday evenings to socialize, dine out, and participate in a wide variety of social and recreational opportunities in the community. Click here to download the registration packet for the summer session. Contact Kianna Herriott at 322-8306 x312 for more information.