| Family & Children's Services
 Our
Mission Statement
The Family and Children Division offers a variety of
supportive programs for children and their families with
the aim to honor family choices, provide opportunities that
enable people in becoming more informed, with the emphasis
on building partnerships and promoting self-advocacy.
Bay
Buddies
An exciting summer camp for children with severe disabilities
that typically prevent them from attending traditional camps.
Currently 100 children participate in Bay Buddies each summer from five participating schools. Click
here for more pictures and a sample camp agenda.
The 2009 Bay Buddies ends the Summer with movies, boating, horses, and each other. One hundred children came out over the two weeks of Bay Buddies and left with lots of memories and new friends. Thanks to our partners and funders for making this possible: Living Classrooms, Baltimore County Parks & Rec, Baltimore City Schools, Baltimore County Public Schools, Allegis Group Foundation, Baltimore City Schools, Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks, Baltimore County Public Library Youth Services, Bay National Bank, The Thomas W. Bradley Foundation, Business Opportunity Network, John J. Leidy Foundation, Morton & Sophia Macht Foundation, Venable Foundation, Wachovia Foundation, and the Ellen WP Wasserman Foundation. Click here to see the kids in action.
For
more information, contact Teresa Conroy at 410-296-2272,
ext. 5360 or tconroy@arcofbaltimore.org
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Camp
Fair
An annual event held each March that links families with
various camp resources.
Each year The Arc of Baltimore combines its efforts with Baltimore’s Child to provide the latest and greatest available recreation and camp information as well as respite care information for children and adults with disabilities. For detailed information on a specfic camp or for general information, contact Teresa Conroy
at tconroy@arcofbaltimore.org
or at 410-296-2272, ext. 5360
Click
here to see our complete camp manual resource.
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Club Venture
Club Venture provides a weeklong, residential camp and recreational experience for adults with developmental disabilities. Each August, the camp, now offered at NorthBay Adventure in Cecil County, offers swimming, tennis, baseball, indoor hockey, fishing, and other activities promising fun and friendship. Accommodations are comfortable and accessible with appropriate staff support that ensures a safe and memorable experience for all.
In 2009, Club Venture hosted 61 vacationers. This year’s recreation schedule offered at The Arc’s Club Venture at the North Bay grounds in Cecil County included swimming, photography and art projects, computer time, a luau and fashion show, and plain old relaxation in the great outdoors. Click here to check out the happy campers.
For more information or contact Teresa Conroy by phone (410) 296-2272, ext. 5360 or by e-mail.
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Family
Support Series
A series of seminars provided each year that are designed
to gain a deeper understanding of various topics regarding
children with special needs.
Next seminar: details, dates and topic information coming soon.
For more information, you may contact Becky Harnett at bhartnett@arcofbaltimore.org or at
410-296-7667, ext. 5351
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 Treatment
Foster Care
The Arc of Baltimore trains, certifies, supervises and supports
foster families in the Baltimore metropolitan
area who care
for foster children with special needs. More than 100 children
are currently placed and supported through The Arc.
For Information, please contact Beth Lopez at or
blopez@arcofbaltimore.org 410-296-5087, ext. 5313.
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Special
Education & IEP Advocacy
The Arc trains families to be proactive with school systems
and to advocate with confidence in the Individual Education
Plan process. Arc staff can even attend team meetings when
needed. If necessary, Arc staff connects families to pro
bono or low-cost attorneys.
For more information, please contact Dorothea Nikas at
dnikas@arcofbaltimore.org
or at 410-296-2272 ext. 5349.
Link to City-wide special ed advisory board calendar
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Information & Referral
This program helps families find needed resources and guides
families through the complex service system.
For more information, please contact Dorothea Nikas at dnikas@arcofbaltimore.org
or at 410-296-7667 ext. 5349.
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Recreation
To enhance the health and well-being of
persons with developmental
disabilities is the goal of the Recreation and Leisure program.
We offer a variety of vacation/ recreational opportunities,
emphasizing community connections. The Arc sponsors dances
at a number of locations throughout the Baltimore metropolitan
area.
For a schedule of upcoming events, or suggestions for community
connections contact Teresa Conroy at tconroy@arcofbaltimore.org
or 410-296-7667, ext. 5360.
You
may click here for a calendar of events or here for our for a complete listing of 2009 Camp and Vacation Opportunities.
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Respite
Care Services
The Arc of Baltimore’s Respite Care Program provides
occasional, short-term temporary physical and emotional
relief to families caring for children or adults with developmental
disabilities living in their home. Respite Care allows family
members the opportunity to enjoy a break from their care
giving duties. However, this is considered a private, independent
arrangement between the family and the caregiver.
A family is eligible for up to 7 days or 70 hours of
respite each year depending on the availability of funds.
The Arc can assist in identifying experienced providers
if you should require one.
Update on Respite Care Services: September 1, 2009
The Arc of Baltimore has been advised that its Respite Care grant from the Maryland Department of Human Resources has been reduced by at least 50%. This reduction was one of the many cuts to the State budget that was approved by the Board of Public Works at its meeting on August 26, 2009. As a result of this action, we have no choice but to suspend any commitments for respite care services until further notice. Applications for Respite Care are not being accepted during this time.
We will continue to keep those affected updated regarding the status of Respite Care Services through the remainder of the year.
For more information, please contact Dorothea Nikas at dnikas@arcofbaltimore.org or at 410-296-7667, ext. 5349.
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On-Going
Support
This program assists families to request on-going service
plans to be funded by the Developmental Disabilities Administration.
The plans are designed to meet the individual needs of the
child with developmental disabilities.
For more information you may contact Hilary Christian at
hchristian@arcofbaltimore.org
or at 410-296-2272. ext. 5219.
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Project SEARCH 
Project SEARCH is an exciting and innovative new program that provides work and career development opportunities for adults and students with disabilities. Follow the link for more information on this great program.
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