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.