Inclement Weather Procedures

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Information on weather related closures and delays can be accessed in the following ways:

 

For weather updates, visit the Weather Updates page of this website.

Delayed Openings — A decision may be made to delay opening for 2 hours. In the event this is decided transportation will also run on 2-hour delay for Day Program, Supported Retirement Program, Employment Services, Community Development Services, and Introduction to Employment. If using The Arc’s Transportation, drivers may arrive past the typical times of pick up.

For those who work independently in the community, the family or caregiver should reach out to their specified Employment Specialist by phone, email, or text to inform them if the person will:

  • Be late arriving to work so that the Employment Specialist to reach out to the employer
  • Use another form of transportation the person supported will use to get to work. If other means of transportation are used, please ensure that the person we support, their family, and/or caregiver complete a reimbursement form for the amounts allowed for the day and type of transportation.
  • Not report to work for the day and the Employment Specialist may reach out to the employer and relay this information

An update as to operating status will be provided by 8:00 a.m. Employment Staff will notify families and caregivers of the decision to continue with the 2-hour delay or to close for the day.

If The Arc has a delayed closing, those who are on the transportation van at the time of closing will be dropped off at their work site and the driver will have completed transportation for the day. Transportation drivers will notify the Employment Specialist to inform them that the person has been dropped off for work. The Employment Specialist will then assist with scheduling alternate transportation home and communicate with the family and/or caregivers.

The Arc of Howard is CLOSED — This means the Day Program, Supported Retirement Program, Employment Services, Community Development Services, and Introduction to Employment will not open. In addition, there is no transportation from The Arc for people working at independent, community job sites. For those who work independently in the community, the family or caregiver should reach out to their specified Employment Specialist by phone, email, or text to inform them if the person will:

  • Use another form of transportation the person supported will use to get to work. If other means of transportation are used, please ensure that the person we support, their family, and/or caregiver complete a reimbursement form for the amounts allowed for the day and type of transportation.
  • Not report to work for the day and the Employment Specialist may reach out to the employer and relay this information

Updated: 12/20/2022

Families: Updated COVID Guidelines

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File name : Updated-COVID-Policies-December-2022-1.docx.pdf

Arc of Howard County Updated Covid-19 Information 2/26/2021

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The Arc of Howard County Logo

Updated Covid-19 Information

As the Covid-19 pandemic continues, we are constantly evaluating when we can reopen our Homewood Road facility for Day services. Like all of you, we are encouraged by the lower Covid-19 numbers. We have also worked hard to make information about the importance of the vaccine and the vaccine available to the people we support as well as to all of our staff. However, we cannot re-open our doors until we are able to ensure that the health and safety of our individuals and staff can be maintained. This includes the safety and well being of people in transport, in the community and in the building. Please know we are doing our level best to reopen, and we will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so. We will continue to keep you updated and as always, we appreciate your understanding and support.

Residential Guidelines for COVID-19 Residential Visitation Guidelines 11/2020

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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.

Coronavirus: Information & Updates October 1, 2020

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Letter to Families on Residential Supports-June 28, 2020

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Communication to Families and Supporters of The Arc of Howard County: May 8, 2020

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COVID-19/Coronavirus

May 8, 2020

Dear Families and Supporters of The Arc of Howard County

Thank you to all of you for your continued understanding and support during the COVID-19 pandemic. As promised, we want to keep you updated on information concerning the re-opening of The Arc of Howard County. Maryland remains under a stay-at-home order for businesses.

Currently, we do not have a date for when services will resume, however, we are working to align our gradual re-opening in stages, following best practice guidelines from the DDA and in accordance with the directives given to us by Governor Larry Hogan and the State of Maryland.

Individuals with community-based employment will continue to receive supports on a case by case basis. Our residential program will continue to provide the necessary care. We will be sending out information to families and those supported by The Arc of Howard County as to when the re-opening of programs will begin and what those services will look like going forward. We continue to work collaboratively with the county and state, and do our part to ensure we minimize the effects of this virus on our community.

If you have questions or are seeking additional information related to these programs continued suspensions, please reach out to the individuals listed below.

  • For questions about Day and Supported Retirement, contact Bryan Sorrentino by email, bsorrentino@archoward.org or call 443-668-1834.
  • For questions about CDS and Intro to Employment, Independent Employment, and Omnicare, contact Robert Walker by email rwalker@archoward.org or call 443-977-0148.

Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation amidst these difficult times.

Regards,

Cindy Parr

Cindy Parr
Executive Director

Communication to Families and Supporters of The Arc of Howard County: April 24, 2020

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COVID-19/Coronavirus

April 24, 2020
Dear Families and Supporters of The Arc of Howard County
Thank you to all of you for your continued understanding and support during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are updating our information on closings at The Arc of Howard County.
Due to the continued spread of this virus in our community, we have decided to continue our suspension of specific services offered by The Arc of Howard County. As of today, Friday, April 24, 2020, our Day, Supported Retirement, CDS, Pre-employment classroom, and Omnicare will continue to be closed.
We will review the conditions in our community and provide
updates, as we monitor the county and state situations related to the COVID-19 virus. Our next update will be sent out Friday, May 8, 2020.
Individuals with community-based employment will continue to receive supports on a case-by-case basis. We feel that it is the most responsible action as we remain aligned with other entities in the state and county to flatten the curve of this virus in our community. This is a time that integration in the community is not the priority. Our goal is to minimize contact and encourage increased social distancing.
Our senior management is deploying staff to support our residential program to ensure supports are in place to continue to provide the necessary care. It is our hope that each and every family affected by these changes will understand this decision, as we work together to help keep everyone safe.
Both Maryland State Governor Larry Hogan and Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, have spoken of their efforts to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus. We must work collaboratively and do our part to ensure we minimize the effects of this virus on our community.
If you have questions or are seeking additional information related to these programs’ continued suspensions, please reach out to the individuals listed below.
  • For questions about Day and Supported Retirement, contact Bryan Sorrentino by email, bsorrentino@archoward.org or call 443-668-1834.
  • For questions about CDS and Intro to Employment, Independent Employment, and Omnicare, contact Robert Walker by email rwalker@archoward.org or call 443-977-0148.
Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation amidst these difficult times.
Regards,
Cindy Parr
Executive Director

Communication to Families and Supporters of The Arc of Howard County: March 26, 2020

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Coronavirus/COVID-19

March 26, 2020

Dear Families and Supporters of The Arc of Howard County

As many of you know, this is an unprecedented time with the continued spread of COVID-19. Due to the growing spread of this virus in our community, we are taking every precaution to protect the people we serve and our staff who provide critical supports to those individuals. It has been with great thought and consideration we have decided to continue our suspension of specific services offered by The Arc of Howard County.

As of today, Thursday, March 26, 2020, our Day, Supported Retirement, CDS, Pre-employment classroom, and Omnicare will continue to be closed through April 24, 2020. We will review the conditions in our community and determine whether services will resume after April 24th, as we monitor the county and state situations related to the COVID-19 virus.

Individuals with community-based employment will continue to receive supports on a case-by-case basis.  We feel that it is the most responsible action as we align with other entities in the state and county to flatten the curve of this virus in our community. This is a time that integration in the community is not the priority. Our goal is to minimize contact and encourage increased social distancing.

Our senior management will be deploying staff to support our residential program which will ensure supports are in place to provide the necessary care. It is our hope that each and every family affected by these changes will understand this decision and work cooperatively to help us achieve the goals of this action.

Both Maryland State Governor Larry Hogan and Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, have spoken of their efforts to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus. We must work collaboratively and do our part to ensure we minimize the effects of this virus on our community.

If you have questions or are seeking additional information related to these programs’ continued suspensions, please reach out to the individuals listed below.

  • For questions about Day and Supported Retirement, contact Bryan Sorrentino, bsorrentino@archoward.org 443-668-1834.
  • For questions about CDS and Intro to Employment, Independent Employment Omnicare, contact Robert Walker rwalker@archoward.org 443-977-0148.

Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation amidst these difficult times.

Regards,

Cindy Parr

Cindy Parr

Executive Director

COVID-19 Update from The Arc of Howard County: March 24, 2020

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Coronavirus/COVID-19

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