History

1950s:

Major Themes:

• Families Organizing
• Raising Money and Awareness
• Starting Schools

Major Events

• Services not available for children or adults
• Harford and Cecil County parents meet to discuss needs of their children with mental retardation
• Incorporation of The Northern Maryland Society for Aid to Retarded Children in January 1953
• Families fundraise and start two schools. Har-Haven School incorporates into the public school system, later to become the John Archer School

1960s:

Major Themes:

• Starting Adult Services
• Fighting for Residential Services

Major Events

• Families offer summer and winter recreation programs for children
• First sheltered workshop opens in Aberdeen where three people work to make doormats
• Cecil County families "break away" to start their own association
• First offices open on Main Street in Bel Air. County funding is secured fro a workshop and "day care" services
• Families plan for residential services in Harford County and seek federal, state and local funding

1970s:

Major Themes:

• Establishing Residential Services
• Brook Forest Site Controversy

Major Events

• Day care center separates and becomes known as The Harford Center
• Workshop moves to Benson and an activity center is established. Agency receives most of the county's United Way funding
• Land obtained for the residential/activity center site. Brook Forest, an activity center with three group homes, opens on Philadelphia Road in Aberdeen, serving 30 people

 

1980s:

Major Themes:

• Expanding Employment and Residential Opportunities
• Reorganization

Major Events

• The agency changes its name to Northern Maryland Association for Retarded Citizens. NMARC Industries looks for employment opportunities in local businesses
• Board approves to close the group homes
• Agency reorganization. Richard Blair is hired as new Executive Director
• Agency offers Family and Individual Support Services, including a family support group
• Kennedy Krieger Institute grant aids Supported Employment program
• Vernon DeHaven founds the first self-advocacy group, People First
• The Arc serves 150 adults and 15 families of children under the age of 21 in Harford County
• Great demand for services as the state struggles to provide for those on waiting lists

1990s:

Major Themes:

• From Facilities to Supports the Arc Expands Services

Major Events

• Tim Quinn is Executive Director
• Name Changes: The Arc of Harford County, The Arc Northern Chesapeake Region
• Cecil County families become part of The Arc again
• Harford County Executive, Eileen Rehrmann instrumental in securing county dollars
• Transformation from facility-based agency to one that builds supports around what people want and need. One woman purchases her own condominium
• Transitioning Youth Program receives first funding to support graduating students in jobs
• Activity center closes with many people working in local businesses or moving to the workshop. Meaningful Day program is offered for people who want recreational activities
• Sara Erstad-Landis founds Teens First, a self-advocacy group for teenagers with and without disabilities
• Re-Runs Thrift Store opens. The Bel Air New Car Dealers sponsor golf tournaments annually. A golf tournament is added in Cecil County
• The Arc supports Self-Determination, a statewide movement to support persons with disabilities and their families to have control over their funding and services
• The administrative offices experience a devastating electrical fire in 1999
• Large expansion of services due to influx of state funding to decrease extensive state waiting list
• Family Support Services offered to more than 200 families. Nearly 200 adults receive services and the agency employs almost 175 full and part-time staff. Agency vehicles log almost a million miles a year. Hiring and retaining staff is a challenge.

2000-Present

Major Themes:

• Expansion continues
• A New Building
• A Focus on Technology
• Building Partnerships
• The Arc Celebrates Fifty Years

Major Events

• Workshop on Granary Road is closed
• Family Partnership is established to provide treatment foster care for children
• A volunteer program is initiated
• 2001 Session of the Maryland General Assembly ends by the passing of a five-year plan to increase wages of direct support staff. Harford County Executive, Jim Harkins, instrumental in increasing county dollars
• Agency is one out of twelve non-profits in the country to obtain a HUD grant to administer Section 8 Housing Vouchers. Over 70 vouchers granted in year one.
• The agency has email, a website, and a medical and pharmacy database
• A $1 Million Capital Campaign is launched to enlarge and renovate the offices on Philadelphia Road. All offices and services are under one roof in 2003.