Nothing makes you smile more than something created by a child. Several people supported by The Arc of Howard County received the most adorable handmade cards drawn by from local kids. Michele “read her card front and back, even noting the hearts and stars on it.” Robert loved his card! So did Aly! Thank you Nirit Katzur Roddy of Fit With Nirit, LLC. (and of the Business Women’s Network of Howard County) for organizing the “card shower” and thank you to all the young artists!
Sometimes it is the little things that matter the most…a big shout out to the Elkridge Mom’s Group! Their daughters made these beautiful cards to bring happiness and joy to the people we support and to our staff who continue to work so hard during this pandemic! Thank you to Julianna, Eliza and Oliva for your love and support of The Arc of Howard County!
Feed Howard County is an amazing organization! This week, they partnered with the wonderful
La Palapa Grill & Cantina to deliver 150 hot meals to The Arc of Howard County. Thank you for remembering our incredible staff and the people we support. This is not over people and we have a long way to go…Feed Howard County makes sure people have meals and helps businesses in our community.
Another Big Shout Out to Feed Howard County who partnered with Kelsey’s Restaurant, Irish Pub, & Banquet Room to deliver 150 hot and delicious meals, this week to The Arc of Howard County! Feed Howard County continues to support our essential workers and the people we serve We have a long way to go and the support of our Howard County community means the world to us!
At The Arc of Howard County we are continuing to update information to families and staff concerning COVID-19. We continue to follow CDC guidelines and best practices. As always our priority is keeping the people we support and our staff safe.
Voting Information from Delegate Jessica Feldmark (District 12-Howard County)
How to Submit a Mail-in Ballot
There are TWO ways to submit a mail-in ballot:
You can return your mail-in ballot through the mail. If you do, your ballot must be postmarked byNovember 3, 2020.
You may drop off your mail-in ballot at any ballot drop box in your county of residence 24 hours a day until 8 p.m. on November 3, 2020. For a list of ballot drop box locations in Howard County, visit this site.
Whether you return your ballot in a drop box or by mail, please be sure to sign the oath on the outside of the envelope (or if you printed an electronically delivered ballot, the oath is on a separate sheet of paper). A mail-in ballot will not be counted without a signed voter’s oath.
Voting in Person
During Early Voting
Early Voting is October 26, 2020-November 2, 2020. Early Voting Centers will be open 7 a.m.-8 p.m. every day. Citizens can vote at any Early Voting Center in their county of residence. For a list of Early Voting Centers in Howard County, visit this site.
On Election Day
Election Day is November 3, 2020. Election Day Voting Centers will be open 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Citizens can vote at any Voting Center in their county of residence. For a list of Election Day Voting Centers in Howard County, visit this site.
Accessibility for Voters with Disabilities
It is absolutely critical that voting is fully accessible to people with disabilities. For a description of the accessibility options for voters with disabilities, visit this site.
Project SEARCH of Howard County premiered the video, “I Can Do The Work” in October during National Disability Employment Awareness Month. On October 23, 2019, the video was shown to an audience of honored guests, business leaders, and Project Search graduates and their families. The video, created using a grant from Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council and produced by Pam Long Photography, featured several Project SEARCH graduates at their job sites, including Howard County Government Central Fleet and Brookfield Christian School. You can watch the video on YouTube.
Project SEARCH of Howard County is a one-year internship for young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and is in its 6th year in Howard County. All Project SEARCH of Howard County interns complete three, ten-week internships within different Howard County Government departments and now also within the Howard County Public School System. A total of 60 interns have completed the Project SEARCH of Howard program since 2015. The employment rate after completing Project SEARCH is 65%. Project SEARCH Interns have been hired by several local businesses, including within the Howard County Government, Howard County Public School System, Verbal Beginnings, Thrive Center, PetSmart, Play N’ Learn, Einstein Bagels, Wegmans, Columbia Association, and more.
The Arc of Howard County is very excited to receive the Howard County “Rise to the Challenge” grant from Howard County Executive Calvin Ball! Thank you Howard County and congratulations to all of the other recipients – you are all amazing organizations! Together we are rising to the Challenge! Click here to see the presentations on YouTube or watch below.
Congratulations to The Arc of Howard County’s Direct Support Manager, Annie Mae Caldwell, who was presented with the Amanda & Jill Dean Direct Support Award by Executive Director, Cindy Parr, for Annie’s exceptional work during the COVID-19 crisis and throughout her service!
The Amanda & Jill Dean Direct Support Professional Award is an annual award created by the Dean family to each year honor a Direct Support Professional (DSP) or Direct Support Manager (DSM) who has gone above and beyond in their support of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and who demonstrates a commitment to The Arc’s mission and vision of achieving full community life for people with disabilities! Well deserved Annie!!
For your information, see below for Step-by-Step Guide to Voting in Maryland. This guide, produced by Independence Now: A Center for Independent Living, provides information on in-person and mail-in voting, and voter registration, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Direct Support Professionals, Employment Specialists and All Staff Honored
At The Arc of Howard County, we Honored our amazing Direct Support Professionals, Direct Support Managers, Employment Specialists and all Staff in September and October! We raffled off gift cards and prizes to these Essential Workers. Thank you to all of our supporters who made this possible through their Staff Appreciation Donations and Gifts!
