The Arc of Baltimore History
The
Arc of Baltimore was organized in 1950 as the Maryland Society
for Mentally Retarded Children, Inc. and incorporated as
a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The corporation was
renamed "Baltimore Association for Retarded Children,
Inc." in 1974, “Baltimore Association for Retarded
Citizens, Inc. in 1975 and then renamed "The Arc of
Baltimore, Inc." in 2002.
Having undergone many changes over the years, The Arc of
Baltimore's Articles of Incorporation were amended and restated
in 1992 to reflect the current mission, which is "to
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."
Today The Arc of Baltimore provides a comprehensive array
of community-based support services to approximately 3,000
men, women, and children in Baltimore City and Baltimore
County. The Arc has approximately 700 full and part time
employees and provides services at seven major facilities
and 100+ owned and leased residential sites located in the
Baltimore metropolitan area. The Arc’s programs and
services include vocational training, medical day care,
landscape and janitorial employment services, other supported
employment, residential care, individual and family support,
treatment foster care, respite assistance, recreation, camping
and leisure activities.
The
Arc of Baltimore derives its financial support from contracts
and grants from state and federal governmental agencies,
revenue from work contracts, and private contributions.
The Arc is governed by 24-member Board of Directors and
includes professionals from the community as well as self-advocates
and parent-advocates. Members are appointed to staggered
three-year terms and the full board meets 6 times per year
with committees meeting regularly. The Board approves the
annual budget, annual audit, major new initiatives and all
organization-wide policies.
Leadership is provided and day-to-day operations are supervised
by the executive director with a senior management team
comprised of an associate executive director, a chief operating
officer, a chief financial officer and four highly experienced
senior department directors.
|
|