Employment & Meaningful Day Services: Supported Employment

Work is an integral part of adult life and The Arc supports adults with disabilities by providing employment opportunities, vocational counseling and career development. These services are designed to enhance each individual's abilities and skills, allowing them to work as independently as possible in the community. Trained job coaches monitor each worker's performance and serve as intermediaries with employers to help workers succeed on the job and to resolve concerns before they become workplace issues. Some examples of work assignments include custodial and lawn care, commercial grounds maintenance, packaging and assembly, and warehouse services.

 

Target Population: Working age adults with disabilities.

Intake/Eligibility: Individuals must apply to the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration for eligibility

Employment & Meaningful Day Services: Community Volunteer & Recreational Opportunities

Community volunteer opportunities provide adults with disabilities with resume-building experience and a chance to try different types of work. Volunteers are generally paired with other non-profit agencies in Montgomery County and may be engaged in supporting senior citizens or administrative work. Inclusive community-based recreational experiences are also available. Adults with disabilities participate in activities based on their interests and preferences, including visits to museums, theaters and sporting events. They may join walking/running clubs or other groups, all focused on creating connections with other people in their community.

 

Target Population: Adults with a disability

Intake/Eligibility: Individuals must apply to the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration for eligibility

Employment & Meaningful Day Service: Active Retirement

Seniors with disabilities can participate in various community-based activities each weekday with the support of a senior activity coach. These activities support their transition from the workplace and work-related activities to retirement and senior living activities. The Arc Montgomery County focuses on maximizing existing community resources and facilitating connections to seniors without disabilities, which is key to the program's success.

 

Target Population: Seniors with disabilities

Intake/Eligibility: Individuals must apply to the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration for eligibility

Inclusive Living Services: Personal Supports

Depending on each individual's needs, maximizing life skills while promoting community inclusion may require different levels of support. Customized, in-home and person-centered support makes it possible for adults with disabilities to live independently or to remain in their family's home. As one member of a team of providers, The Arc's staff can coordinate with schools, employers and other program providers to encourage a positive experience providing maximum benefit to the individual. The intensity of services provided may range from drop-in support of a few hours to hands-on supervision for several hours each week, and may include: Community Connections (links to community resources) Independent Living (personal/health care, cooking, shopping) Finances (budgeting, banking) Social/Recreational Activities (leisure, entertainment, religious and cultural activities) Medical (appointments, benefits coordination)

 

Target Population: Adults with disabilities

Intake/Eligibility: Individuals must apply to the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration for eligibility

Inclusive Living Services: Community Living Services

Full residential services focused on individualized support can be provided to adults with disabilities at one of 35 single-family homes, townhomes or condos owned or operated by The Arc Montgomery County. Regardless of the setting, every individual enjoys a private bedroom. Support services may include personal care, medication administration, use of community services, meal preparation, recreation, financial management and health care coordination. A continuum of services can be provided from early adulthood through senior years, and annual team meetings with staff, relatives, friends and other service providers is an avenue for setting goals and evaluating outcomes.

 

Target Population: Adults with disabilities.

Intake/Eligibility: Individuals must apply to the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration for eligibility

STAND Together Self-Advocacy Grou

STAND Together is a structured support group where adult self-advocates can share information about items of concern, upcoming activities, and legislation which may impact their rights or services. Members learn about their rights and responsibilities and become educated and empowered. STAND members are occasionally called upon to share success stories with community groups, or even to testify before the Maryland legislature. They also offer positive encouragement to each other, engage in their community through volunteer service, and participate in special events which support inclusion and independence for people with disabilities.

 

Target Population: Adults with and without disabilities

Intake/Eligibility: Contact The Arc Montgomery County

Respite Coordination for Adults

If you reside in Montgomery County and are an unpaid, primary caregiver for an adult who has intellectual/developmental disabilities or functional disabilities (limited activities of daily living which require ongoing support like cancer, MS, traumatic brain injury, advanced diabetes), and living in the same household, you may apply for respite coordination from The Arc Montgomery County. Our respite program can provide short-term relief for a few hours, a day, a weekend, or sometimes longer. However, respite care is not a substitute for ongoing care, adult day care or any other funded program. It's just a way to support families who take care of their loved ones at home. Families can choose from many respite care venues, including the family home, community and recreational programs, camps, and approved respite facilities.

 

Target Population: Residents of Montgomery County who are unpaid, primary caregivers for an adult who has intellectual/developmental disabilities or functional disabilities (limited activities of daily living which require ongoing support like cancer, MS, traumatic brain injury, advanced diabetes), and living in the same household.

Intake/Eligibility: Currently, income eligibility requirements are being waived. These requirements may be reinstated, which could impact eligibility for respite coordination. NOTE: Respite applications will not be processed for family members who receive state-funded, in-home supports. This includes services received through Community First Choice, REM, Community Pathways, Family Supports Waiver, Maryland Community Support, Autism Waiver, etc.

Disability Benefits Counseling

Disability benefits from the State of Maryland, and Social Security such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income, can be critical to opening doors to housing, job support, medical benefits and lifelong independence. The Arc of Montgomery County can partner with you and your family members to manage and enhance those benefits. Unfortunately, disability benefits are complex, illogical and disconnected from one another. The absence of a reported problem does not mean that a problem does not exist. State and federal benefits are not coordinated together and a change in income or resources may affect more than one benefit. You may even have the impression that you cannot work and receive benefits at the same time. Learn how working and receiving benefits can increase your income and be a good fit.

 

Target Population: Any adults residing in Montgomery County, Maryland with questions on their disability employment benefits

Intake/Eligibility: Contact The Arc Montgomery County, 301-984-5777