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!
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!
- Watch Dominique's TV Interview!
- Visit the SEE Foundation website to learn more.
- Follow the SEE 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!!Howard County Council: Find Your Council Member!
- To learn more about Howard County Council from Council Member Rigby's presentation, click here!
- Also, Find out who your council member is--> https://data.
howardcountymd.gov/ DataExplorer/Search.aspx? Application=CouncilMember - Join Council Member Christiana Rigby at an upcoming event--> https://
christianarigby.com/events/ - Learn more about Councilmember Rigby's District 3--> https://cc.
howardcountymd.gov/Districts/ District-3 - Learn more about Districts 1, 2, 4, and 5--> https://cc.
howardcountymd.gov/Districts
Find Your Maryland State Delegates and Senator
Visit the Maryland General Assembly website to find your delegates and/or senator.
News from The Coordinating Center!
Monthly Virtual Cup of Joe: Held on the third Friday of each month from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The next meeting will be held on Friday, January 20th, 2023.
Call 988
Need immediate emotional support?
Call 988 to connect to a counselor who can help.
Specialists provide confident care 24/7. Because we all need help sometimes.
When you call 988, your call will be answered quickly by specialist counselors who will treat you will understanding and dignity. Call whenever you need emergency emotional support or are worried about someone else.
The Here2Help Hotline (410-433-5175) and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) are still working -- and can also be reached by calling 988.
COVID Boosters and Free COVID-19 At Home Testing Kits
News from Howard County Department of Health
COVID-19 Vaccine:
Moderna, Pfizer Omnicron (Bivalent) Booster Shots: The FDA and CDC have authorized the Moderna (aged 6 and older) and Pfizer (aged 5 and older) Omicron-specific booster shots.
- To find a booster clinic near you, visit the Howard County Health Department website.
- Anyone who is 50 years or older and lives in Howard County is eligible for a second booster shot.
- To determine if you or a family member is eligible, visit the CDC website.
- For a list of eligible clinic locations, visit the Howard County COVID-19 Vaccine website.
- COVID-19 Information from our Federal Government:
COVID-19 Booster:
The COVID-19 Booster is now available for Howard County residents. For more information on Booster shots, visit the Howard County website.
Masks:
N95/KN95 masks are designed for use by adult healthcare professionals. When fitted correctly, N95/KN95s provide protection against COVID-19. But other protective options are also available. We recommend speaking to your healthcare provider to determine which mask is best for you and for each member of your household.
In addition, KN95 masks are available at the 6 branches of the Howard County Library System. Two masks will be given to each person (adult, teen, or child). Distribution will end when supplies are depleted. Also, if supplies are available, you can pick up N95 masks from these pharmacies/stores:
- Costco
- CVS
- Food Lion
- Giant Food
- Rite Aid
- Safeway
- Walgreens
- Walmart
COVID-19 Test Kits:
If you need COVID-19 Test Kits, you can visit one of the 6 branches of the Howard County Library during operating hours (one package of 2 tests kits per household while supplies last).
COVID-19 Information:
You can visit our COVID-19 Prevention page for updates and additional information about our mask distribution here.
