| Family & Children's Services
Our
Mission Statement
The Family and Children Division offers a variety of
supportive programs for children and their families with
the aim to honor family choices, provide opportunities that
enable people in becoming more informed, with the emphasis
on building partnerships and promoting self-advocacy.
Bay
Buddies

An exciting summer camp for children with severe disabilities
that typically prevent them from attending traditional camps.
Currently 100 children participate in Bay Buddies each summer from five participating schools. Click
here for more pictures and a sample camp agenda.
The 2010 Bay Buddies will be held from August 16th-27th and ends the Summer with movies, boating, horses, and each other. One hundred children came out over the two weeks of Bay Buddies and left with lots of memories and new friends. Thanks to our partners and funders for making this possible: Living Classrooms, Baltimore County Parks & Rec, Baltimore City Schools, Baltimore County Public Schools, Allegis Group Foundation,
The Civitan Club of Baltimore,
The Ellen W. P. Wasserman Foundation,
The John J. Leidy Foundation,
Morton & Sophia Macht Foundation,
St. Pius X Church,
The Thomas W. Bradley Foundation, Inc.,
Venable Foundation,
The Wachovia Foundation, Battelle. Click here to see the kids in action.
For
more information, contact Dianna Morgan at 410-296-2272,
ext. 5337 or dmorgan@arcofbaltimore.org
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Camp
Fair

An annual event held each March that links families with
various camp resources.
Click
here to see our complete camp manual resource.
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Family
Support Series

A series of seminars provided each year that are designed
to gain a deeper understanding of various topics regarding
children with special needs.
Please see our brochure for topics, dates and times of the 2010 Family Support Series.
Time for you! Parent's Day Out is held four times per year for parents or caregivers of children ages 3 to 14 with developmental disabilities. We have competent, trained, loving
people just waiting to play games,
do crafts, play ball, or just read
with your child while you are
out relaxing or doing
those needed chores.
The next scheduled opportunity is August 14th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. See our flyer for more information and an application.
For more information, you may contact Becky Harnett at bhartnett@arcofbaltimore.org or at
410-296-7667, ext. 5351
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Treatment
Foster Care
The Arc of Baltimore trains, certifies, supervises and supports
foster families in the Baltimore metropolitan
area who care
for foster children with special needs. More than 100 children
are currently placed and supported through The Arc.
For Information, please contact Beth Lopez at or
blopez@arcofbaltimore.org 410-296-5087, ext. 5313.
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Special
Education & IEP Advocacy
The Arc trains families to be proactive with school systems
and to advocate with confidence in the Individual Education
Plan process. Arc staff can even attend team meetings when
needed. If necessary, Arc staff connects families to pro
bono or low-cost attorneys.
For more information, please contact Dorothea Nikas at
dnikas@arcofbaltimore.org
or at 410-296-2272 ext. 5349.
Link to City-wide special ed advisory board calendar
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Information & Referral
This program helps families find needed resources and guides
families through the complex service system.
For more information, please contact Dorothea Nikas at dnikas@arcofbaltimore.org
or at 410-296-7667 ext. 5349.
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Recreation

At The Arc of Baltimore we believe that recreation opportunities are an important part of life; to that end we compile a calendar of local events that may be of interest to you, some are event free.
You
may click here for a calendar of events or here for our for a complete listing of 2009 Camp and Vacation Opportunities.
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Respite
Care Services
The Arc of Baltimore’s Respite Care Program provides
occasional, short-term temporary physical and emotional
relief to families caring for children or adults with developmental
disabilities living in their home. Respite Care allows family
members the opportunity to enjoy a break from their care
giving duties. However, this is considered a private, independent
arrangement between the family and the caregiver.
A family is eligible for up to 7 days or 70 hours of
respite each year depending on the availability of funds.
The Arc can assist in identifying experienced providers
if you should require one. We ask that you contact The Arc one month in advance to schedule respite services, if at all possible.
For
an application for Respite Care complete The
Arc of Baltimore's Respite Care Application.
Please contact Dianna Morgan at 410.296.2272 ext. 5347 or Dorothea Nikas at 410.296.2272 ext. 5349 for more information.
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On-Going
Support
This program assists families to request on-going service
plans to be funded by the Developmental Disabilities Administration.
The plans are designed to meet the individual needs of the
child with developmental disabilities.
For more information you may contact Hilary Christian at
hchristian@arcofbaltimore.org
or at 410-296-2272. ext. 5219.
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Project SEARCH 
Project SEARCH is an exciting and innovative new program that provides work and career development opportunities for adults and students with disabilities. Follow the link for more information on this great program.
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