Resources for People Supported by The Arc of Howard County

Resources for People Supported by The Arc of Howard County

Interested in learning more about People Power of Howard County? Visit the People Power page on this website. Did you know that People Power of Howard County is part of Empowering Partners? Empowering Partners -- a partnership between The Arc Maryland, People On The Go of Maryland, and the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council -- aims to raise awareness about the value of self-advocacy and reconvene or strengthen self-advocacy groups throughout the State of Maryland. People Power of Howard County is the group serving Howard County, Maryland. For more information on Empowering Partners or to find a group near you, visit The Arc Maryland website.

911 Flagging Program

Howard County Police routinely respond to calls for persons with an identified developmental, intellectual, degenerative or physical disorder or disability who have wandered off, gone missing, or are in a state of crisis. With the 9-1-1 flagging program, police can be alerted immediately that the person involved has a certain condition and provided with valuable information and ways to help before they even arrive. For example, a child that goes missing and is drawn to water could be at significant risk, and getting officers to those locations faster--before even arriving at your house--could be lifesaving. Providing information that your loved one is deaf would significantly affect the way an officer communicates with them, without adding to the confusion of an already stressful or chaotic incident. The database can be used for any relevant mental or physical health concern, to include:

• Autism
• Alzheimer’s
• Intellectual or Developmental Disability
• Physical disability, such as blindness or deafness
• Mental health diagnoses
• Other behavior that may affect police response

HCPD encourages those with special circumstances to use the flagging program so that officers can be provided with important information before they arrive at your residence. All information remains confidential and is never shared with outside entities, and is only used to benefit responding officers.

Vial of Life Kit

A Howard County Eagle Scout has assisted over 200 residents to complete their Vial of Life form. The Vial of Life form is available online for collecting medical information for use during emergencies. The kit collects a person’s critical medical information all in one place, to then be attached to the person’s home refrigerator so first responders can easily find it during an emergency situation. To make sure your home is equipped with your own Vial of Life kit, simply print out and follow the directions on this form.

In the News and Local Events!

• Check out this awesome news story about assistive technology!
• Elevatus Training -- Trainings on Addressing Sexuality with People with Developmental Disabilities
• Howard County Autism Society -- Events
• MarylandWorks -- Trainings
• Shared Support Maryland -- Training and Development Institute Calendar

Get Moving with Corissa! Cardio Dance with Corissa: Join the Fun

• Through the Down Syndrome Association of Maryland: Join the fun and get fit, healthy, and happy! A 6-week course via Zoom, will be led by Corissa Anderson, certified Zumba and LaBlast instructor and self-advocate. Corissa is 28 and practiced over the last ten years to become a certified Zumba and LaBlast instructor. She graduated from UMBC's 4 year Success program in 2018 and worked in a child care center as a helper and also taught Zumba with her mom. After the pandemic hit she lost her job at child care center, and the ability to teach in person. Each of Corissa's sessions is approximately 30-45 minutes and may incorporate water bottles for additional strength training.
• Saturday
• 6-week session
• Starting on Saturday, January 7, 2023-February 11, 2023
• Saturdays at 11 a.m. (Eastern Time) via Zoom
• Registration Link
• 6 sessions
• $2/class or select the scholarship option - no questions asked.
• All ages are welcome, siblings too! Let's get moving and have FUN while we do it! To register, visit the Down Syndrome Association of Maryland.
• Corissa's Zumba can be found on The Arc United States' Virtual Library.
• You can also find Corissa teaching at the Dancel Y in Ellicott City. Here is a link to try the YMCA for free. For a free 3-day pass to Dancel Y in Ellicott City, visit--> https://ymaryland.org/trythey And then sign up for Corissa’s live online class through the Dancel Y for free on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m..! To find out more about Corissa, visit the Dancel Y website! Go, Corissa!!

New Horizons/Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts

New Horizons is an outreach program with Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts (CCTA). For more information on New Horizons, please visit the CCTA website or email Amy Sonntag, Director, newhorizons@cctarts.org. In October 2022, several People Power members and those supported by The Arc of Howard County...Christine Towne, Sarah Pagan, Corissa Anderson, and more...performed High School Musical!

Congratulations to Dominique Palmer on Her Awesome TV Interview!

Did you see Dominique on TV? Dominique was interviewed by Jennifer Franciotti of WBALTV about her SEE Foundation! To watch the interview, visit the WBALTV website!

Dominique and her mom, Pamela, started their foundation during the pandemic to respond to social isolation and lack of community. The SEE Foundation stands for Socially Equipping Everyone through innovative, enriching, and recreational programs and services to help young adults with disabilities lead meaningful and well-rounded lives. Congratulations to Gail Boddy -- Dominique's support staff at The Arc of Howard County -- for bringing Dominique's story to WBALTV!

• Watch Dominique's TV Interview!
• Visit the S.E.E. Foundation website to learn more.
• Follow the S.E.E. Foundation on Facebook!

News from Matthew!

Little Lobbyists Blog: Matthew recently wrote about his experiences with community inclusion on the Little Lobbyists blog! As you know, Matthew is a lifelong advocate for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities at the local, state, and federal levels. Way to go, Matthew!!

WBALTV Interview: Did you catch Matthew on TV? Matthew was interviewed by WBALTV's Jennifer Franciotti about the proposed Patuxent Commons housing development. Patuxent Commons will fill a much-needed gap to serve people with disabilities in Howard County. Great job, Matthew!

• Watch Matthew's interview!

Howard County Council: Find Your Council Member!

Visit the Maryland General Assembly website to find your delegates and/or senator.

News from Howard County Department of Health