Jill Berry – The Arc of Howard County

Inclement Weather Procedures

Posted on December 22, 2022 at 4:00 pm.

Macro snowflake and fallen defocused snowflakes on blue background

Information on weather related closures and delays can be accessed in the following ways:

Watch WBAL-TV Look for delay OR closing information for “The Arc of Howard County” on the bottom of the screen.
Go to The Arc’s website
Check our Facebook Page

For weather updates, visit the Weather Updates page of this website.

Delayed Openings — A decision may be made to delay opening for 2 hours. In the event this is decided transportation will also run on 2-hour delay for Day Program, Supported Retirement Program, Employment Services, Community Development Services, and Introduction to Employment. If using The Arc’s Transportation, drivers may arrive past the typical times of pick up.

For those who work independently in the community, the family or caregiver should reach out to their specified Employment Specialist by phone, email, or text to inform them if the person will:

Be late arriving to work so that the Employment Specialist to reach out to the employer
Use another form of transportation the person supported will use to get to work. If other means of transportation are used, please ensure that the person we support, their family, and/or caregiver complete a reimbursement form for the amounts allowed for the day and type of transportation.
Not report to work for the day and the Employment Specialist may reach out to the employer and relay this information

An update as to operating status will be provided by 8:00 a.m. Employment Staff will notify families and caregivers of the decision to continue with the 2-hour delay or to close for the day.

If The Arc has a delayed closing, those who are on the transportation van at the time of closing will be dropped off at their work site and the driver will have completed transportation for the day. Transportation drivers will notify the Employment Specialist to inform them that the person has been dropped off for work. The Employment Specialist will then assist with scheduling alternate transportation home and communicate with the family and/or caregivers.

The Arc of Howard is CLOSED — This means the Day Program, Supported Retirement Program, Employment Services, Community Development Services, and Introduction to Employment will not open. In addition, there is no transportation from The Arc for people working at independent, community job sites. For those who work independently in the community, the family or caregiver should reach out to their specified Employment Specialist by phone, email, or text to inform them if the person will:

Use another form of transportation the person supported will use to get to work. If other means of transportation are used, please ensure that the person we support, their family, and/or caregiver complete a reimbursement form for the amounts allowed for the day and type of transportation.
Not report to work for the day and the Employment Specialist may reach out to the employer and relay this information

Updated: 12/20/2022

Families: Updated COVID Guidelines

Posted on December 7, 2022 at 8:39 am.

Written by Jill Berry

File name : Updated-COVID-Policies-December-2022-1.docx.pdf

The Arc of Howard County Awarded Community Foundation of Howard County Grant!

Posted on July 20, 2022 at 5:41 pm.

Written by Jill Berry

This grant was made possible by the Community Foundation of Howard County.

The Community Foundation of Howard County recently announced its 2022 community grant award recipients. The Arc of Howard County was among the awardees. A total of $200,000 was distributed across 45 nonprofit organizations to improve the lives of residents across the community. Thank you, Community Foundation of Howard County!

For more than 50 years, the Community Foundation of Howard County has served as a knowledgeable, trusted partner that forges connections between donors and nonprofit organizations to provide impactful investments in Howard County. Since 2020 the foundation has awarded more than $6.5 million through more than 1,000 grants to organizations delivering human service, arts and cultural, educational and civic programs. Funds to support grant programs comes primarily from income generated by the foundation’s endowment supported by more than 365 funds established by Howard County businesses, families and individuals. For more information, visit CFHoCo.org or call 410-730-7840.

Congratulations to 2021 Dean Award Honoree: Phelisa Smith-Huff!

Posted on September 17, 2021 at 12:24 pm.

Written by Jill Berry

Congratulations to the 2021 Amanda and Jill Dean Direct Support Professional Honoree – Phelisa Smith-Huff! A Direct Support Manager who goes above and beyond, Phelisa works hard to make sure the people we support, and staff, are well taken care of!

Executive Director Cindy Parr surprised Phelisa yesterday with the award. Bill and Keith were there to share in the excitement of the moment and to help Phelisa and staff celebrate!

The Amanda & Jill Dean Direct Support Professional Award was created by the Dean Family to recognize an exceptional employee in the Direct Support professional field at The Arc of Howard County. This award is presented annually and includes a $1,000 cash gift to the recipient.

Thank you Phelisa, and all of our Direct Support Professionals for the work you do each and every day to make a difference in the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities!

Virtual Learning Campus: Partnership Between Humanim and The Arc of Howard County

Posted on April 16, 2021 at 11:27 am.

Written by Jill Berry

Today we spotlight the Virtual Learning Campus – a program partnership between

Humanim and The Arc of Howard County focused on providing meaningful learning opportunities, engaging experiences, and social supports on a virtual platform for I/DD community members who are isolated at home.

Participants are given a safe outlet for self expression, as well as a variety of learning opportunities including classes, creative workshops, social events, and more. Past classes have included virtual cooking classes with City Seeds, Music Therapy, Movies, Games, Yoga, Dance Parties, DIY crafts with AR Workshop Annapolis, and virtual animal encounters with the Maryland Zoo.

The Virtual Learning Campus is available to all Humanim and Arc of Howard County clients.

Through this partnership, Humanim and The Arc have been able to increase the scope of services to meet the diverse interests and needs of individuals isolated at home, while creating greater access to virtual learning opportunities for the I/DD community. The Virtual Learning Campus is available to all Humanim and Arc of Howard County clients. View Virtual Learning Campus class calendar on the Humanim website.

Lib’s Grill of Maple Lawn and Lib’s Grill of Perry Hall Hold SOLD OUT Virtual Spring Wine Pairing Dinner Fundraiser!

Posted on April 1, 2021 at 10:42 am.

Written by Jill Berry

Big Shout Out today – to our friends at Lib’s Grill of Maple Lawn and Lib’s Grill of Perry Hall who held a Sold Out fundraiser for The Arc of Howard County last night! Lib’s staff was amazing and even delivered the delicious Wine Paired meals in the rain! Thank you to Lib’s for such fabulous food and drink pairings and thank you to everyone who supported this event! Look for another Lib’s event coming in the Fall!

And if you weren’t able to purchase the dinner, you can always donate $10 or more to The Arc of Howard County’s COVID-19 Relief Fund!

Residential Guidelines COVID-19 Residential Visitation Guidelines 3/2021

Posted on March 24, 2021 at 10:34 am.

Written by Jill Berry

Arc of Howard County Updated Covid-19 Information 2/26/2021

Posted on February 26, 2021 at 4:16 pm.

Written by Jill Berry

Updated Covid-19 Information

As the Covid-19 pandemic continues, we are constantly evaluating when we can reopen our Homewood Road facility for Day services. Like all of you, we are encouraged by the lower Covid-19 numbers. We have also worked hard to make information about the importance of the vaccine and the vaccine available to the people we support as well as to all of our staff. However, we cannot re-open our doors until we are able to ensure that the health and safety of our individuals and staff can be maintained. This includes the safety and well being of people in transport, in the community and in the building. Please know we are doing our level best to reopen, and we will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so. We will continue to keep you updated and as always, we appreciate your understanding and support.

Letter to Arc Families from Executive Director, Cindy Parr: COVID-19 Vaccine 1/21/2021

Posted on February 2, 2021 at 1:13 pm.

Written by Jill Berry

Feed Howard County Donates Delicious Meals from Area Restaurants!

Posted on January 20, 2021 at 4:41 pm.

Written by Jill Berry

Nothing says Love quite like mashed potatoes…Thank you to Feed Howard County and The Periodic Table – Columbia for bringing wonderful food and love to The Arc of Howard County! Yesterday, this wonderful organization and this amazing new restaurant partnered to deliver 150 hot meals to The Arc of Howard County. Everyone loved the meatloaf, mashed potatoes and broccoli dinner. We continue to be blessed by our “community family”. Thank you for your kindness and support of our mission!

Throughout this Covid-19 pandemic The Arc of Howard County has been blessed by the generosity of Feed Howard County! Yesterday Feed Howard County partnered with the wonderful Tino’s Italian Bistro to bring 150 hot and delicious meals to our staff and the people we serve. Thank you SANTA, Pat Curran, Kevin Powell and all of the amazing people at FHC and First Presbyterian Church of Howard County for showing our staff how they are loved and supported by the Howard County Community! Counting all of our Blessings this Season…and Always!

Thank You once again to Feed Howard County for remembering the wonderful people we support and our amazing staff! Yesterday, Feed Howard County partnered with new restaurant Fiero Mexican Street Food to deliver 150 hot and delicious meals to The Arc of Howard County! Special shout out to Janet Sivo and Jackie Crispell and everyone at Feed Howard County for continuing to support our essential workers and the people we serve

On Christmas Eve, we are thankful for the wonderful people at Anegada Delights Caribbean Cuisine who are providing several families (who may need a little extra love this year) with full Holiday meals for their Christmas Dinner! They will be out delivering in the rain today while we continue to count our blessings…Anegada Delights, located at 9861 Broken land pkwy St 151, Columbia, MD, also hires and trains people with intellectual and developmental disabilities for careers in the food and beverage industry! We are so thankful for their love, kindness and support!

If you would like to support Feed Howard County, please visit their website.