The Arc Central Chesapeake Region was founded in 1961 by parents who envisioned a different life for their children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Over 60 years later, The Arc continues to change lives and create opportunities for people to live, work, and connect throughout the community.
Today, The Arc's Children, Youth & Their Family program supports the next generation of parents as they navigate the confusing and isolating world of diagnoses, acronyms, and services. A gift made to The Arc supports one of our key programs:
The Family Fund
Founded in 2017, The Family Fund awards grants to children with intellectual and developmental disabilities to access critical therapies, equipment, assistive devices, and learning opportunities not covered by insurance. With the community's support over the last six years, The Arc has awarded over $200,000 to local children throughout Anne Arundel County and Maryland's Eastern Shore.
To read some of the stories from past grants, please visit thearcccr.org/becauseofyou. To donate to the Family Fund, you can give at thearcccr.org/givefamilyfund.
Holiday Giving
For nearly 20 years, The Arc has supported local families with children with disabilities by purchasing gifts and toys for the holiday season. This program is unique in allowing families to ask for exactly what they need, supporting every child in the household (including siblings without disabilities), and providing critical food support through grocery gift cards.
This program has doubled in size annually since 2020 and now supports 300 children each year on average. The Arc works with local businesses to 'adopt and shop' for the children in the program, physically purchasing items from their list, and with organizations to financially sponsor the program's administrative costs such as the grocery gift cards, resource packets distributed to families, etc.
To support the program as a sponsor or to donate, please email give@thearcccr.org.
Family Navigation
When your child is diagnosed with an intellectual or developmental disability, it can be a confusing and isolating experience. The Arc employs a team ready to help parents navigate the many new acronyms, therapies, and resources they need for their children to be successful.
If you, or someone you know, have a child with an intellectual or developmental disability, please contact The Arc's team for a free Family Navigation appointment. This resource, always free to the community, is meant to help you plan for your child's success.
To schedule your appointment, contact us at resources@thearcccr.org.
Project Learn & Leadership Academy
The Individual Education Program (IEP) process can be confusing and overwhelming. The Arc partners with Education Team Allies, a local IEP expert, to work with parents and students to understand the IEP process, develop a strong relationship with the school system, and advocate for their needs.
Applications are currently open for the Fall. You can register today by visiting thearcccr.org/projectlearn.
If you would like to discuss how to support The Arc's work in the community, please email give@thearcccr.org. If you are a family in need of resources and would like to schedule a free consultation with our Family Navigator, please contact us at resources@thearcccr.org.
