FAQs

The Arc’s Inclement Weather policy is available to view here: Inclement Weather Policy 2017

Yes. All applicants working with Arc individuals are required to have a valid driver’s license with an acceptable Motor Vehicle Report.

If you are unsuccessful in reaching Human Resources by phone, be sure to leave a clear, brief message with your name and current contact information. Every effort will be made to return your call within 48 hours or as soon as possible. Also please be mindful of the high call volume received daily and keep calls to a minimum. You may contact Human Resources by emailing Naomi Lyvers at nlyvers@archoward.org or calling 410-730-0638 Ext. 234.

You may contact Human Resources by phone or email to address questions and/or concerns, but please refrain from calling regarding the status of your application for at least 2 weeks from the time your application was submitted for consideration.

Human Resources will be in contact with you via US mail or phone within two weeks from the date your application was submitted. Applicants are not guaranteed a first interview.

You can find our current openings at our Job Openings page. Applications can also be found online under our ‘Careers’ page.

The Chocolate Ball is ‘The Premiere Event’ in Howard County. Now in its 20th year, The Chocolate Ball raises over $100,000 to help us provide support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. For more information about The Chocolate Ball and other Arc events, please see our Events page.

The Respite Care house provides care during overnights and vacations, school breaks, special requests, scheduled weekly visits, and activities around special times of the year. The Respite House serves adults as well as children older than 18 months and can be for a few hours or up to five nights.

Due to COVID-19, we are not offering respite services at this time. For more information, contact Barbie Merkin at (410) 730-0638 Ext. 370 or bmerkin@archoward.org.

The Arc is always looking for volunteers. Check out our volunteer page for current volunteer opportunities.

There are a variety of different ways you can help The Arc of Howard County. You could volunteer, come to one of our many fundraising events, or donate to our organization.

The Arc works hard to provide the necessary supports for the people we serve. Sometimes it is transportation to and from job sites. The Arc also partners with various other transportation services around the county.

The Arc provides some support for children through Respite Care, however, the majority of people we serve have left school. For more information on the services The Arc provides, please see our How We Help page.

Due to COVID-19, we are not offering respite services at this time. For more information, contact Barbie Merkin at (410) 730-0638 Ext. 370 or bmerkin@archoward.org.

We do have some who work in our headquarters (like Christine), but most of the people we serve are out working in the community. Look for them at your local grocery store, your hair salon, or your favorite retail store.

The Arc provides support for a variety of different living situations. Some of the people we support live in homes with roommates, but some live on their own.

People don’t stay overnight at our Headquarters. The people we support have a variety of different homes. Some live in homes that we provide support for, some live with their families, and some live on their own. The Arc does manage a Respite House where individuals do spend the night.

The term Intellectual and Developmental Disability (I/DD) means a severe chronic disability that is attributable to a mental and/or physical impairment and is present before an individual reaches the age of 22. This disability reflects the individual’s need for a combination of special, interdisciplinary services, individualized supports, or other forms of assistance that are of lifelong or extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated.

The Arc of Howard County was started in 1961 by a group of parents who wanted a more fulfilling life for their children. Today, The Arc supports over 400 people and employs over 300 staff. We are dedicated to “achieving full community life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities–one person at a time”.