Awards – The Arc of Howard County

NEW DATE: The Arc of Howard County’s 2023 Virtual Celebration of Excellence

Posted on May 17, 2023 at 6:30 pm.

NEW DATE: The Arc of Howard County’s 2023 Virtual Celebration of Excellence!

2023 Virtual Celebration of Excellence
May 17, 2023
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

NOTE: We are rescheduling the 2023 Virtual Celebration of Excellence. The new date for the 2023 Virtual Celebration of Excellence is Wednesday, May 17, 2023, 6:30-8 p.m. To register for the 2023 Virtual Celebration of Excellence, visit the Celebration of Excellence registration page.

The Arc of Howard County’s mission statement is: “Achieving full community life for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities – one person at a time.” The Arc of Howard County seeks to recognize individuals and groups who put our mission statement into practice.

To nominate someone making a difference, visit the Celebration of Excellence Nomination form.

All nominations must be received by close of business on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. Use one form for each nomination. To nominate another person/group open a new nomination form by opening a new Celebration of Excellence Nomination Form. If you have already submitted a nomination for the 2023 Virtual Celebration of Excellence Awards, you do not need to submit another nomination form.

Questions? Contact Jill Berry, Grants Manager, jberry@archoward.org, 443-668-1835

2023 Celebration of Excellence Nomination Form

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!

Amanda & Jill Dean Direct Support Award 2021 Nominations Are Open

Posted on August 21, 2021 at 12:33 pm.

Written by Andrew Winner

The Amanda and Jill Dean Direct Support Award was created 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. Employees eligible for this award can be any staff (DSP’s, DSM’s, and/or Employment Specialists) directly engaged in the day to day support of our individuals at The Arc of Howard County. Employees who are nominated must be in good standing with the agency and must have worked at least one year for The Arc of Howard County. Any employee of The Arc of Howard County can submit a nomination. All nominations will be evaluated and assessed for eligibility.

All nominations must be submitted no later than August 30, 2021. Please send nominations to deanaward@archoward.org The recipient will be announced at the beginning of Direct Support Professional Week in September.

They will be recognized during Direct Support Professional Week, which is September 12 – September 18, 2021

The nomination form is attached. If you would like any assistance with writing this nomination, or if you have any questions, please contact the Resource Department.

Thank you for all you do each and every day!

Image links to the Dean Award Nomination PDF

Congratulations to the 2021 Celebration of Excellence Award Winners!

Posted on June 22, 2021 at 12:40 pm.

Written by Andrew Winner

2021 Celebration of Excellence and 60th Year Celebration

The Arc of Howard County’s 2021 Celebration of Excellence was held virtually on May 12, 2021. Congratulations to all of our award winners for making a difference in the lives of people with disabilities!

Self-Advocate of the Year: Jeffrey Jones, Carlotta Martin, and Janice Martin
Excellence in Employment: Robert Walker, Natalie Dohner, and Vytex Windows
Excellence in Professional Services: ALFA Specialty Pharmacy
Excellence in Community: FEED HOWARD COUNTY
Excellence in Public Service: Senator Clarence Lam and Delegate Eric Ebersole
Volunteer of the Year: Matt Hart and Sarah Wheedleton
The Amanda & Jill Dean Direct Support Professional Award: Annie Caldwell
President’s Award: Richard Dean
Employee of the Year: All of Arc of Howard County DSPs
COVID-19 Heroes of the Year: Deborah Wagner and Naomi Lyvers

Congratulations to 2020 Dean Award Honoree: Annie Mae Caldwell!

Posted on October 5, 2020 at 12:38 pm.

Written by Jill Berry

Congratulations to 2020 Dean Award Honoree: Annie Mae Caldwell!

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!!

POSTPONED: 2020 Annual Celebration of Excellence Awards

Posted on May 13, 2020 at 7:30 pm.

Written by Jill Berry

NOTE: The Arc of Howard County Celebration of Excellence Awards has been postponed. Event will be rescheduled. Date to come.

The Arc of Howard County Annual Celebration of Excellence Awards

May 13, 2020

7:30 p.m.-9 p.m.

Ten Oaks Ballroom

5000 Signal Bell Lane

Clarksville, MD 21029

Join us for this wonderful evening where we recognize outstanding community members for their work in advancing the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Celebrating Direct Support Professionals!

Posted on September 16, 2019 at 12:17 pm.

Written by Jill Berry

Did you know that there are Super Heroes in #HowardCounty? Super Heroes who work day in and day out…go the extra mile…go above and beyond. Who are these people? These Super Heroes are the Direct Support Professionals, Day Program staff, Employment Specialists, and administrative staff at The Arc of Howard County who work with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are supported by The Arc of Howard County.

Every day last week, we celebrated these hard-working, dedicated staff members at Staff Appreciation events during Direct Support Professionals Week. Super Hero staff were celebrated at events…a Kickoff Breakfast (Thanks to Dunkin’, Giant Food, Food Lion, Weis Markets, and The Barnes Group for the yummy breakfast treats!) …Twin Day…a Cookout Lunch (Thanks to Jason’s Deli for providing boxed lunches!) …a Super Hero Dinner and Event (Thanks to Olive Garden for providing a pasta dinner with salad and breadsticks and to Royal Farms for supplying water bottles!) …Sports Jersey Day. Oh, what a week it was!

A huge thanks to the families of individuals supported by The Arc of Howard County who donated to make this event possible. Thanks to Maryland Department of Disabilities Deputy Secretary Christian Miele for presenting the Governor’s Citation honoring Direct Support Professional (DSP) Week to The Arc of Howard County. Executive Director Cindy Parr awarded the Amanda and Jill Dean Direct Support Award to DSP Joe Collins. #DSPRW19 #DirectSupportProfessionals #StaffAppreciation #SupporttheDream #TheArc #TheArcofHowardCounty #howardcounty #maryland

2019 Celebration of Excellence Awards!

Posted on April 30, 2019 at 7:30 pm.

Written by Barbara Moyer

2019 Celebration of Excellence Awards!

The Arc of Howard County’s Celebration of Excellence was held at Ten Oaks Ballroom on April 30, 2019. We would like to thank our

Premium Sponsor – DEX imaging and our Beverage Sponsor –Twin Valley Distillers!

Celebration of Excellence is an evening where we honor those who have made a difference in the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Thank you to everyone who came out to share the evening with us!

Thank you to the

Rev. Paige Getty for her keynote address and to Secretary

Carol Beatty! Photos by Randy Lovelace Photography.

Click here to view invitation – Arc-Celebration Of Excellence2