Governor's FY13 Budget Reflects
Commitment to DDA

The debate over the proposed FY13 Budget opened last week with Governor O’Malley making bold proposals for the Developmental Disabilities Administration of Maryland. These proposals represent a significant step toward serving more individuals with significant developmental disabilities and protecting those resources from some of the pitfalls that befell the DDA this past year. Despite the tough economy and requisite cuts in other key areas, the FY13 budget reflects a new commitment to supporting individuals with disabilities, including the restoration of the $28.5 underspent funds from the DDA. The Arc thanks all of you for voicing your support of this restoration! Click here to read about highlights of the DDA budget request.

A Career Dedicated to Service: Ann Brady

Ann Brady describes her years with The Arc as an amazing journey. Director of Bridges at Largo since 2007 and a valued director of other Arc programs during her tenure, Ann will retire this month. "Bridges is a nice place to end a career,” she says, reflecting on some of the remarkable changes she has witnessed in the care of individuals with developmental disabilities who also have chronic medical needs.

Bridges' identity transition, for example, from a medical day care program to a day services program licensed under the DDA was an essential step in what has been a dynamic progressive direction. “DDA services are more person-centered rather than health-centered, and you see this reflected in everything from program formats to the evolution in the language we use in the community,” Ann says. Click here to read more.

Penny Green Takes on Expanded Role

Reorganization initiatives are underway at The Arc. The responsibilities of Associate Executive Director Penny Green have expanded to include oversight of the Supported Employment, Adult Day, and Transportation programs. Penny has led the Arc’s Residential Services program for the past four years and will continue to do so in addition to her new responsibilities. She takes on this broader leadership role due to the departure of Associate Executive Director Donna Mason who resigned in early January to become the Executive Director of the Human Services Coalition of Prince George’s County.

According to Executive Director Mac Ramsey, “Penny has the all the qualities that make for a great nonprofit executive. She has garnered the admiration and trust of her staff, program participants, and families. I’m sure she will do a great job in this new role!”

For a complete overview of how the administrative staff of The Arc is organized, please click here.

Thank you, Bowie Civitan Club!

The Bowie Civitan Club hosted their Annual Grant Night on January 24 at the Comfort Inn in Bowie. Mary Funk, Deputy Executive Director, gratefully accepted the club’s generous donation on behalf of The Arc. Over the past 40 years, Bowie Civitan Club members have devoted themselves to raising funds to improve the lives of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Each year they celebrate their efforts by recognizing and contributing to area schools and agencies that work with individuals with disabilities. There are over 40,000 Civitans in dozens of countries, all of them pledging to build a better and nobler citizenship.
Thank you, Civitans, for your generosity to The Arc!

End The Wait. Please Donate!

There are thousands of children, youth, and adults in Maryland who have developmental disabilities and are on the Maryland Waiting List. Just a small portion of your tax refund can help the Maryland Waiting List Fund provide services for families, job training and employment, opportunities to live in the community and crisis prevention. Click here for information on the DDA Waiting List. Click here for a donation coupon you can include with your Maryland State income tax return.