The Arc of Prince George's County, Maryland

Calendar of Events

Welcome to our Calendar of Events! Throughout the year, The Arc of Prince George’s County organizes events that bring our members together, raise funds, provide training and networking opportunities, and increase public awareness about disability issues and The Arc’s services. Read about how you can join us at these great events.

Bowie Baysox Game
Saturday, July 31st
5:30 pm - 10:30 pm
$28 per person
Leaving from The Arc Building

Join us for a fun-filled evening as the Bowie Baysox take on the New Britian Rock Cats. The evening ends with a great fireworks display! The cost is $28 per person and includes transportation, ticket to the game, and a 1:4 staff ratio. Please bring additional money for food. Space is limited for this event. Please register by July 23rd. Click here to download a registration form and mail it to Katie Collins-Ihrke at kihrke@thearcofpgc.org. Call 301-925-7050, ext. 269 for more information.

Summer Splash Family Fun Day
Sunday, August 1st
3:00 - 6:00 pm
Swim First Swim School
6836B Race Track Rd
Bowie
301-262-7946
$6 per child

This special day is open to all chlidren with special needs and their siblings. Every child will get a free gift. Refreshments will be for sale including gluten/casien free food options. All participants must RSVP by July 28th at owcafamilyfun@verizon.net. Please provide the following information: number of participants (children and adults), ages of children, diagnosis of child(ren), your telephone number. There will be two swim sessions with a maximum of 25 children in each session. The above information will help divide the children. You will be contacted 24 - 48 hours prior to the event with your child's swim session time.

Parent Training
Music all day long
Thursday, August 5th
6:30-9:30 pm
Prince George’s Child Resource Center
9475 Lottsford Road, Suite 202
Largo, MD 20774

Learn fun and educational things to do with your child. Please pre-register for these classes by calling Francine Bobbitt at the Prince George’s Child Resource Center, 301.772.8420, extension 229. Please identify yourself as a parent with the Prince George’s County School System.

Cats and Dogs 2: Sensory Friendly Version
Saturday, August 7th
Magic Johnson Theatre
BLVD at the Caps Center, Largo
10:00 am

Join the Once World Center for Autism's Sensory Friendly Theatre Series. Lights are kept on dim throughout the movie, volume is turned down, and the movie starts without previews.

Melwood Alumni Dance
Saturday, August 7th
$10
Earl Copus Training Center
5620 Dower House Rd
Upper Marlboro 20772

Join us for an evening of dancing. Price includes hamburgers, hotdogs, drinks, and salads. Please contact Mark at 301-599-4527 or Sandra at 301-599-4516 to purchase tickets or to receive additional information. Individuals should bring appropriate supports.

What Can I Do to Support my Child's Behavioral Challenges? Behavioral
Strategies for the Home Environment: Basic Principles for Behavior Management
August 11th
6:00-9:00 pm
John Carroll Elementary (Multipurpose Room)
1400 Nalley Terrace
Landover, MD 20785
301-618-8300

Prince George's County Public Schools Early Childhood Department offers a two evening course for parents. Shlomo I Cohen, Ph.D., Behavioral Psychologist presents. For the first session, please be prepared to raise issues you have in dealing with your child's challenging behaviors. Also, please come prepared to write specific questions/examples you may have so they can be addressed in Session 2. RSVP by July 23, 2010 - Candace Coles - candace.coles@pgcps.org or by telephone at 301-808-2731. Please indicate number of attendees.

What Can I Do to Support my Child's Behavioral Challenges? Behavioral
Strategies for the Home Environment: Effective Stategies for Behavior Management
August 12th
6:00-9:00 pm
John Carroll Elementary (Multipurpose Room)
1400 Nalley Terrace
Landover, MD 20785
301-618-8300

Prince George's County Public Schools Early Childhood Department offers a two evening course for parents: Shlomo I Cohen, Ph.D., Behavioral Psychologist presents. For the first session, please be prepared to raise issues you have in dealing with your child's challenging behaviors. Also, please come prepared to write specific questions/examples you may have so they can be addressed in Session 2. RSVP by July 23, 2010 - Candace Coles - candace.coles@pgcps.org or by telephone at 301-808-2731. Please indicate number of attendees.

Parent Training
Back to School: How to advocate for your child to have a successful year
Thursday, August 19th
6:30-8:00 pm
Prince George’s Child Resource Center
9475 Lottsford Road, Suite 202
Largo, MD 20774

Autism Pathfinders Adult Issues Workshop Series: Employment
September 11th
The Bain Center
8:30 am - 12:30 pm
5470 Ruth Keeton Way
Columbia, MD 21044
410-313-7213

Pathfinders for Autism and the Howard County Autism Society are hosting a new workshop series focused on issues that affect adults with autism. The series will run September 2010 - January 2011. Each workshop will include two sessions: one for adults who are on the Autism spectrum themselves and have Aspergers or High Functioning Autism; and one for parents who care for individuals with Autism.

(session targeting adults on the Autism spectrum)
William Stillman, award-winning author, speaker, and consultant, offers parents, caregivers, and self-advocates thoughts, wisdom, and advice to poise individuals with autism for success in potential vocational opportunities.

(session targeting parents and caregivers)
Securing meaningful employment is a key element of independence and quality of life as adults. For adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) however there are many behavioral, social and communicative skill challenges that influence employment. Adults with ASD are more frequently unemployed or underemployed, switch jobs and make less money than their typically developing peers (Howlin, 2000; Muller, Schuler, Burton, and Yates, 2003). This session will focus on the art and science of creating a successful job match and employment experience for individuals with ASD. Topics included will be using a strength based approach to identify potential job placements, job sampling, building a functional portfolio, and strategies for improving behavioral and social skills in the workplace.

These workshops are offered free of charge, however registration is required for each session. Click here to register.

Given the interest in the workshop series and the very limited number of seats available, attendance is required if registered. If a registrant misses one session, his or her enrollment for any others will be forfeited and made available to an individual on the waiting list. Thank you for helping us honor our commitment to providing these workshops free of charge to as many individuals as possible.

Parent Empowerment Support Group Meeting
Reid Temple's Bridges Ministry
September 18th
2:00 - 4:00 pm
The Arc Building

Bridges Ministry's mission is to provide a spiritually uplifting and supportive environment or parents and caregivers of people with disabilities; to connect and share experiences, resources, and encouragement that will lead to empowerment, advocacy, and evangelism. Please rsvp to Melonee Clark at 301-526-8805 or melluv2dance@aol.com.

Transition 101: Think College
September 21st
6:30 pm
FREE for Arc members
$5 for non-members
The Arc Building

Transition 101 ~ a series of workshops for families whose children will be transitioning from school to adult services. Students with an Intellectual Disability can seek a college experience! Dr. Meg Grigal,
Senior Research Associate from TransCen,Inc, will present "Think College." Dr. Grigal is currently conducting a comprehensive national survey of post-secondary education options for students with intellectual disabilities. College can be an option! RSVP Melonee Clark 301-925-7050 ext.307 or mclark@thearcofpgc.org.

The Guardian of Ga'Hoole
Saturday, September 25th
Magic Johnson Theatre
BLVD at the Caps Center, Largo
10:00 am

Join the Once World Center for Autism's Sensory Friendly Theatre Series. Lights are kept on dim throughout the movie, volume is turned down, and the movie starts without previews.

Home Ownership
September 30th
4:00-7:00 pm
Holiday Inn Express
Easton, MD

Join Joe Wykowski, founder of Community Vision, as he discusses homeownership for people with developmental disabilities. Please click here for details.

Special Education Advisory Clinic
October 2nd
9:30-3:30
FREE
The Arc Building

If you need help advocating for appropriate special education services for your child, join us at a Special Education Advocacy Clinic You will receive brief legal and referral information.
To make an appointment, please call 410-859-5400 ext. 118. Walk-ins are also welcomed. Additional parent resources will be available. Accommodations available upon request.

The Zookeeper: Sensory Friendly Version
Saturday, October 9th
Magic Johnson Theatre
BLVD at the Caps Center, Largo
10:00 am

Join the Once World Center for Autism's Sensory Friendly Theatre Series. Lights are kept on dim throughout the movie, volume is turned down, and the movie starts without previews.

Gubernatorial Candidates Forum on Disability Issues
October 11th
BWI Marriott Hotel
2-4 pm
Free

The Maryland Disabilities Forum is hosting a 2010 Gubernatorial Candidates Forum on Disability Issues on October 11 at the BWI Marriott Hotel from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The leading 2010 Gubernatorial Candidates - Governor Martin O'Malley and former Governor Bob Ehrlich have both been invited to participate in the event. Candidates will be asked to address their respective platforms on disability issues, and will also take questions from the audience. This is a free event, and pre-registration is preferred: http://www.mddforum.org/2010forumregistration.html.

2010 National Lifespan Respite Conference
Respite: Create it!
October 24-27
Sheraton Baltimore City Center Hotel
101 W. Fayette St., Baltimore

This conference is sponsored by the Maryland Respite Care Coalition, Inc. For more information, please contact Karen Oliver at 301-925-7050, ext. 245 or koliver@thearcofpgc.org.

Autism Pathfinders Adult Issues Workshop Series: Housing
October 30th
The Bain Center
8:30 am - 12:30 pm
5470 Ruth Keeton Way
Columbia, MD 21044
410-313-7213

(session targeting adults on the Autism spectrum)
Every citizen has the right to control their housing, to rent an affordable apartment or own a home of their own; the values of safety, security and the opportunity to acquire an asset belong to everyone in the United Sates. Participants attending this workshop will learn about housing opportunities through the examples of the presenters and persons with disabilities who have secured affordable, individualized rental and home ownership opportunities within Maryland and other parts of the United States.

(session targeting parents and caregivers)
Individuals experiencing a disability desire control of their housing for the same reasons other citizens choose to rent or own a home, safety, security, asset accumulation and the opportunity of securing long term accessibility. Participants attending the workshop will acquire knowledge of affordable, individualized rental and home ownership opportunities for persons with disabilities in Maryland.

These workshops are offered free of charge, however registration is required for each session. Click here to register.

Cerebral Palsy Across the Lifespan
November 5th and 6th
Johns Hopkins Medical Institution
Baltimore, MD

Keynote speakers: Janice Brunstrom-Hernandez, MD and Director at the, Pediatric Neurology Cerebral Palsy Center, St. Louis Children's Hospital and Mindy Aisen, MD, and CEO of Crebral Palsy International Research Foundation will present. Conference Sessions include: Augmentative Communication Strategies, Coping with a New Diagnosis, Education Issues, Neuroimaging as a Guide to Diagnosis, Nutrition, Strategic Planning for Therapeutic Interventions, Community Integration, Disability & Sexuality, Quality of Life, TRansition Issues, Wellness, Medicine, and Aging. More information to come. Registration is available at www.resourcefinder.kennedykrieger.org.

Autism Pathfinders Adult Issues Workshop Series: Finance
November 13th
The Bain Center
8:30 am - 12:30 pm
5470 Ruth Keeton Way
Columbia, MD 21044
410-313-7213

(session targeting adults on the Autism spectrum)
Effective financial planning and management is very important for autistic adults living independently. Mary Turos applies critical executive function strategies to this important area to strengthen money management practices. Sheâ€™ll review bill organization and timely payment strategies, budgeting, managing credit/debt, and long term investment issues. For those with Asperger's or high functioning autism, financial success can be achieved with overall organization improvements and by establishing new habits.

(session targeting parents and caregivers)
Planning for the future of a loved one with a disability can be complicated. It's easy to become overwhelmed at the thought of organizing your financial and estate planning. For families who have a child (regardless of age) with a disability, the task is even more daunting. Without proper planning, your child may lose entitlement to needs based benefits such as Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and other government programs. This workshop is intended to assist families through the complicated maze of special planning techniques.

These workshops are offered free of charge, however registration is required for each session. Click here to register.

Autism Pathfinders Adult Issues Workshop Series: Relationships
January 22nd
The Bain Center
8:30 am - 12:30 pm
5470 Ruth Keeton Way
Columbia, MD 21044
410-313-7213

These workshops are offered free of charge, however registration is required for each session. Click here to register.

Infants & Toddlers Library Activities

An opportunity for children under three with special needs along with their family and friends to participate in story time, music and motor activities. Meet other parents and check out the latest resources! Contact your local library for further details.

Beltsville Library:
birth - 18 months: Wenesdays 11:30 am

Bowie Library:
Birth - 12 months: Thursdays at 11:30
12 mo. - 24 months: Tuesdays at 10:15 & 11:15
2 year olds: Wednesdays at 10:15 & 11:15

Hyattsville Library:
9 - 23 months: Mondays 10:15 am
2 - 3 years: Mondays 11 am & Tuesdays 10:15

Oxon Hill Library:
birth - 12 months: Wednesdays at 10:45 am
12 - 24 months: Wednesdays 11:30 am

Largo-Kettering Library:
2-3 year olds: Thursdays at 10:15 am

Laurel Library:
birth-12 months: Wednesday 10:30 am
12 - 24 months: Wednesday 11:15 am
2 - 3 years: Mondays 10:30 & 11:15 am

New Carrollton Library:
18 - 35 months: Tuesdays & Thursdays 11 am

Spaulding Library:
Thursdays at 10:30 am
Mondays at 7:00 pm

Surrats-Clinton Library:
birth - 12 months: Thursdays 10:15 am
12 - 36 months: Thursdays 11:00 & 11:45 am

Contact us at 301-925-7050 with information about other disability-related events in the area.