The Arc of Baltimore Mission StatementTo ensure that people with developmental disabilities

have maximum opportunities to actively participate

in all aspects of community life and to offer programs

and services that support them in doing so.

According to estimates released

recently by the U.S. Census

Bureau, Maryland ranked as

the richest state in the nation last year.

That statistic offers little comfort for

people who have intellectual and/or

developmental disabilities, however.

Consider, as an example, Maryland’s

abysmal rankings in the following

areas of developmental disabilities

funding during 2007:

● 44th in spending per $1,000 in

personal income

● 33rd in per capita spending

● 41st in reaching those in need,

according to waiting lists for

residential services

● 43rd for keeping families together,

measured by the percent of

individuals living in family homes

● 17th for support services designed to

keep families together

Need more proof of Maryland’s

inadequate funding for developmental

disabilities? Take a look at the Waiting

List pie chart (see page 3).

MarylandDisappoints inFunding for

DevelopmentalDisabilities

State Arcs Set LegislativePriorities for 2008

C O N T I N U E D O N P A G E 3

C O N T I N U E D O N P A G E 2

Individuals with developmental

disabilities who receive services from

The Arc of Baltimore designated

September 20th as “A Day of Sharing,” a

community service initiative and a gesture

of gratitude to the generous people who

contribute to The Arc.

Crews of Arc supported individuals from the Seton

Employment Center picked up litter at the I-70 Park and Ride.

Individuals from the Homeland Center delivered handmade cards

and visited veterans at the Baltimore Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation

and Extended Care Center on Loch Raven Boulevard. A crew from

the Loch Ridge Center visited residents of the Glen Meadows

Retirement Community while their peers from the Dundalk Center

Arc-Supported IndividualsGive Back to theCommunity

Keith Rice (left) and Ian

Wright cleaned up loads

of trash at the I-70 Park

and Ride.

YcHoliday 2007

rtheAdvocatetheAdvocate

Arc-SupportedIndividuals Give Backto the Community

2

spruced up Stansbury Park and visited residents of

the EastPoint Rehab and Nursing Center.

“We decided to hold ‘A Day of Sharing’ to

recognize our workers because they make major

contributions to our community every day. We

also wanted to thank the people who stepped up

and continued to help us as we faced some very

difficult funding issues this year,” explained

Stephen H. Morgan, executive director.

A number of Maryland Arc organizations

were significantly impacted when The United Way

of Central Maryland decided to discontinue

providing funding to them. The Arc of Baltimore

alone had to make up a shortfall of nearly

$100,000 in funds, a deficit that jeopardized the

organization’s ability to provide essential services

to many of the more than 3,000 individuals with

disabilities and their families.

“Contributions to The Arc enable people with

developmental disabilities to receive the services

they need in order to work, live and participate in

community life,” Morgan added. “As a result, they

are able to contribute to the community in

meaningful ways, not just on ‘A Day of Sharing,’

but every day.”

Individuals who receive services from The Arc

of the Northern Chesapeake Region, The Arc of

Howard County and The Arc of the Central

Chesapeake Region held “A Day of Sharing” in

their own communities. ●

C O N T I N U E D F R O M P A G E 1

Ashley Welsh (l), also from the Dundalk Center, visits Georgia Smith at the

EastPoint Rehab and Nursing Center on “A Day of Sharing.” Ashley is a regular

volunteer at the Center.

A group of individuals who receives services from the Dundalk Center picked

up trash at Stansbury Park as part of The Arc of Baltimore’s “Day of Sharing.”

Pictured from left: Billy Shrewsbury, Angelyc Henson, James Fink, Melissa

Howard and Karin Wright.

Debbie Forsythe works in janitorial services for The Arc of Baltimore’s

Community Employment program. She takes great pride in keeping The

Arc’s Employment Center clean and ready for meetings.

NominationsSought for 2008Annual Awards

The Arc of Baltimore is soliciting

nominations for its 2008 annual awards

program. Award recipients will be

recognized at The Arc’s Annual Meeting next

May. Anyone affiliated with the agency may

submit a nomination form to Lauren Seabolt at

The Arc of Baltimore Community Resource

Center, 7215 York Road, Baltimore, Maryland

21212 by February 1, 2008.

To get a detailed description of the awards and

a downloadable copy of the nomination form,

visit www.arcofbaltimore.org or call Lauren

Seabolt at 410-296-2272, x5210. ●

3

To address the issue of State funding for developmental disabilities

services, The Arc has put forth the following priorities for the 2008

legislative session that begins in Annapolis in January.

Waiting List Initiative—Advocates will promote a multi-year Waiting List

Initiative to meet the needs of individuals on the DDA Waiting List and

Autism Waiver and to increase capacity in the community, with all supports

leading to self-determination. Full funding for the Transitioning Youth

Program will also be sought.

Funding for Community Programs—Emphasis in this area is on ensuring a

stable, quality system of community programs—residential, employment,

vocational and individual and family supports—funded by the

Developmental Disabilities Administration. The funding must include

inflationary increases, costs of mandated regulations and adequate wages for

direct support staff.

Close Institutions—As the name of this initiative implies, advocates will

put forth measures designed to close institutions, based on the beliefs that

unjustified segregation is a violation of individual rights and that people with

developmental disabilities have the right to live inclusively in the community

and receive appropriate, quality supports. The expansion of state residential

centers and new admissions, including capital and operating funds, will be

opposed.

C O N T I N U E D F R O M P A G E 1

Maryland Disappoints in Developmental Disabilities Funding

Helping Hands member and supported employee

Christine Logan tidies a photo display at the University of

Maryland at Baltimore. Christine joined the Helping

Hands in order to advocate for the closure of institutions.

Helping Hands (HH) is a group of approximately 50 self-advocates

who are supported by The Arc of Baltimore. HH meets monthly to

plan fundraising events and discuss strategy for its #1 priority: the

closing of State institutions for individuals with developmental disabilities.

HH members visit Annapolis during the legislative session. Last year, they

wore shirts with the words “Chop the Locks” to signify their intention to

release all people residing in Maryland State institutions.

Doris Rowe, president of Helping Hands, recently shared her thoughts on

the subject.

“I see other people who live on their own with people to help them, so I

know people at Rosewood can do it, too. Even if they have wheelchairs or

walkers, it’s OK. They can be in a nice home with supervision.

“You might think that Rosewood is a good place to be because they give

some help to people, but it’s not true. I want the people who live there to have

a life. I want them to be equal like we are.”

Christine Logan is a former resident of Rosewood and a member of

Helping Hands. She works with a number of other Arc supported employees

at the University of Maryland Baltimore.

“I was 14 when I went to Rosewood in 1966,” Christine shares, “and I left

in 1989. I was abused there. They kicked me and the nurses couldn’t stand

me.” Today, Christine lives independently in an apartment in Towson. She

joined Helping Hands because, she says, “We need to close Rosewood.

“There’s a life out here for people in Rosewood. They need a chance to live

in the community just like us. They can get trained to work and shop. They

can get help to go places and to go to church. They don’t need to be locked

away.”

Another former Rosewood resident, Dennis Johnson, left in 1983. Now

supported by The Arc of Baltimore, Dennis is the picture of success. He shares

an apartment with a roommate and works two jobs. He’s held one of the

jobs—as a greeter at The National Aquarium in Baltimore—for more than a

decade. Dennis says he likes his current life better than Rosewood because,

“I’m independent. [At Rosewood] they did everything for us. We didn’t do for

ourselves.” ●

Arcs’ Public Policy PlatformAddresses Quality and Justice

Voices behind the policy platform position to close Rosewood speak volumes

Crisis Resolution

& Prevention

39%

CurrentNeed

38%

FutureNeed

23%

■ 39% of services needed are for Crisis

Resolution and Crisis Prevention

■ 38% of requested services are for

Current Needs

■ 23% of requested services are for

Future Need

DDA Community ServicesWaiting List

In Remembrance:Harry R. Shriver, Jr.

The Arc of Baltimore is deeply saddened by the

death of Harry R. Shriver, Jr. Though long-time

Baltimoreans are no doubt familiar with Harry’s

deep, resonant voice, his flawless timing and his sense

of humor, they may not know that Harry was a

dedicated and passionate supporter of The Arc of

Baltimore for more than 30 years. The parent of a child

with developmental disabilities, Harry served on The

Arc of Baltimore’s board of directors from 1963 until

1992, at which time he was conferred director emeritus

status. He also served on and chaired numerous

committees, including the President’s Advisory Council,

the capital campaign committee for The Arc Community

Resource Center and the Legacy Society.

Harry’s passion, energy, and dedication for serving

people with developmental disabilities led The Arc of

Baltimore to name the President’s Cup Award for

Outstanding Board Service in his honor. The perennial

emcee for the agency’s Annual Awards Ceremony,

Harry’s longstanding service and commitment to The

Arc of Baltimore and to those with developmental

disabilities is truly unparalleled. His absence will be felt

profoundly. ■

Join the Legacy Society andSustain The Arc’s Mission

Harry Shriver was deeply committed to preserving The

Arc of Baltimore for future generations. That’s why he

was one of the founders of The Arc’s Legacy Society—

and why he worked hard to encourage friends of the

agency to become members of that distinguished

group by including The Arc in their wills. If you would

like to join The Legacy Society—or if you would like to

explore other forms of planned giving—please call Kate

McGuire at 410-296-2272 ext. 5206 or email her at

kmcguire@arcofbaltimore.org. If you have already

included The Arc in your will, please let Kate know so

she can include your name in the Legacy Society

membership list published in our annual report. ■

4

Rochelle Howell (left) and Amy Gerhardt, both parents of children

with disabilities, compare notes after a recent workshop at The Arc of

Baltimore. The workshop focused on ways to establish and maintain

trusting and supporting relationships with the individuals who

provide care to children. The Arc conducts six presentations as part of

the Family Support Series each year and hosts other training

opportunities with partners like The Parents’ Place of Maryland.

The Arc to C0-SponsorSpecial Ed Workshopswith The Parents’Place of Maryland

Identification of Students with

Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD)

Wednesday, December 12, 2007; 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

This workshop will examine IDEA’s definition of specific

learning disabilities and additional procedures for identifying

children with SLD.

Overview of Key Changes in IDEA 2004

Wednesday, January 9, 2008; 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

This workshop will look at selected changes in IDEA’s definitions,

evaluations, re-evaluations, IEP meetings and IEP content.

IEP Team Meetings and Who is Included

Wednesday, February 13, 2008; 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

This workshop will focus on reviewing and revising IEPs.

Participants will learn when an IEP may be amended without a

meeting.

WORKSHOPS ARE FREE OF CHARGE and will be led by Rochelle

Howell of the Parents’ Place of Maryland. All sessions will be

held at The Arc of Baltimore, 7215 York Road. Pre-registration

is required. To sign up, call Joseph Anastasio, 410-296-2272

ext. 5346 or email him at janastasio@arcofbaltimore.org. You

may also contact Rochelle Howell, 410-768-9100, ext. 109 or

Rochelle@ppmd.org to register. ■

Be on the lookout for details about The Arc’s 2008 Family

Support Series. Topics will include:

● Working Through the Maze of Available

Funding/Services/Resources

● Transition Services—from School to Work Life

● Applied Behavioral Analysis for Challenging Autism

Behaviors

● Youth and Sexuality Issues

● Recreation for Young Children

The ever-popular Networking Picnic will be held in July.

5

Eighty children explored nature and learned

about the thousands of animals and insects

native to the Baltimore area on a day trip

to the Carrie Murray Nature Center during the

2007 Bay Buddies session.

Students from Maiden Choice, Ridge Ruxton,

Battle Monument and the William S. Baer schools

participated in Bay Buddies this year. The

program provides a stimulating environment

with social interaction and summer enrichment, a

continuum of educational skills and participation

in the community. It also offers respite for

families. Intensive staffing allows for appropriate

medical support and safety.

At the Carrie Murray Nature Center, the Bay

Buddies saw indigenous and exotic insect species

as well as a live display of reptiles and amphib-

ians. They also visited the center’s rehabilitation

facility for permanently injured birds of prey.

Another highlight for the Bay Buddies was the

drum circle, led by Chris Davis. Arthur Hull, a

world-renowned drum circle specialist, explains

drum circles this way: “People of all levels of

musical expertise come together to share their

rhythmical spirit with whatever drums and

percussion they bring. They don’t have to be

drummers to participate. They don’t even have to

have a drum. They can play a plastic water bottle

turned upside down with the neck cut off. They

can shake a soda can with rocks in it or hit two

sticks together. It is enough that they are in the

circle and participating.

“The quality of the music is based on the

quality of the participants’ relationship with the

other people in the circle. It results in magical

musical moments where one powerful voice is

created out of the many.” ■

Bay Buddies Go Back to Nature

Mary Preston, who attends The Arc’s Homeland Day Center, loves her new

custom-fit electric wheelchair. The chair is a huge improvement over

Mary’s previous one, which was poorly suited for her physical needs. The

wheelchair was purchased with proceeds from Keepers of the Green, a local

branch of a Scotland-based organization dedicated to golf and golf history.

The group works with local organizations to identify individuals who can

benefit from the custom-fit wheelchairs.

Thanks to this year’s contributors to Bay Buddies, without whom the program

would not be possible: Allegis Group Foundation, Baltimore County Local

Management Board, CVS Caremark Charitable Trust, William S. Baer School,

Thomas W. Bradley Foundation, John J. Leidy Foundation, The Macht Family

Philanthropic Fund, Owls, The Venable Foundation and The Wachovia

Foundation.

Danny Anderson adds to

the spirit of the Bay

Buddies’ drum circle.

Katie Cirelli takes a

moment to smell the

flowers at the Carrie

Murray Nature Center.

Non-ProfitOrg.U.S.Postage

PAIDBaltimore,MDPermitNo.2511

TheArcofBaltimore’sservicesareprovidedwithout

regardtorace,color,religion,sex,age,maritalstatus,

nationalorigin,medicalconditionordisability.

7215YorkRoadBaltimore,MD21212

RETURNSERVICEREQUESTED

theAdvocatetheAdvocateThe Advocate is published by

The Arc of Baltimore, Inc.

7215 York Road

Baltimore, MD 21212

410-296-2272

www.arcofbaltimore.org

Feedback Line:

Dial option #8 or ask the operator for assistance

Recreation and Leisure Information:

Dial option #6 or ask the operator for assistance

Maryland Relay

800-735-2258

410-583-0060 (voice)

Gilbert F. Kennedy, III, President

Stephen H. Morgan, Executive Director

Steamcom.com, Writing and Graphic Design

Steve Morgan (right), executive

director of The Arc of Baltimore,

accepts a check from Phil Levinson,

on behalf of the Civitan Club of

Baltimore through the Foundation

for Mentally Retarded and

Handicapped Children, Chesapeake

District Civitan International Inc.

The gift will help the Arc purchase

special equipment and adaptive

technology for individuals supported

in its day center programs.

ArcMembershipMakesthe Perfect Holiday Gift

Do you know someone who cares about an individual with

disabilities? For a minimum contribution of $25, you can make them

a member of The Arc of Baltimore! Your friend will receive:

● the Advocate and annual report;

● updates and information on government affairs, technological

advancements and training opportunities;

● invitations to informational meetings and special events; and

● special offers on money-savings opportunities.

Equally important, you and your friend will be providing support for The

Arc’s programs and services for people who have developmental

disabilities. It’s a win-win gift for all!

Please send your check to The Arc of Baltimore/Development Office/7215

York Road/Baltimore, MD 21212. Be sure to include your friend’s name and

address so we can share the good news! ●