2025 Maryland Partners in Policymaking® Class Graduates!

We are elated to share that Maryland's 2025 Partners in Policymaking® Class has officially graduated! 32 advocates from around the state completed their year-long journey to sharpen their advocacy skills and become agents of change.

This year's journey included trips to Annapolis and DC, as well as Capstone Projects to directly impact our local and state communities. We have tremendous gratitude for our program partners, the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council and People On the Go Maryland.

You can meet the Partners and read about their journey and their Capstone Projects in the 2025 Partners Yearbook, available below! Congratulations to all! "Once a Partner, always a Partner!"

This project is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $1,262,502 with 100% funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

Celebrate Innovations at SpArc Tank Ig-Nite

November 20th - Ten Oaks Ballroom Clarksville, MD

Continue the celebration of The Arc Maryland's 65th Anniversary this fall at SpArc Tank Ig-Nite! Our hallmark grant initiative, SpArc Tank, is back for our 6th year, offering opportunities for organizations and individuals to pitch ideas for the funding of innovative projects, new technology, resources, and more solutions to improve access to independent living, inclusion, and equity for people with disabilities.

Ig-Nite is an extraordinary evening and time to connect with other leaders in the IDD and innovation spaces, with good food, creative cocktails, a silent auction and more! Come celebrate with us on November 20th at Ten Oaks Ballroom in Clarksville. Early-Bird tickets are on sale now through the button below! Also, seize the opportunity to strengthen and support innovative projects from non-profits as an Ig-Nite Sponsor. Review sponsorship levels below to be part of the big day and make an impact as a project funder!

Does your organization have an innovative idea it would like to present for funding? Applications for SpArc Tank Grant Funding open on September 2nd. Proposals selected to advance to the final round will be part of the SpArc Tank pitches, live at the Ig-Nite event on November 20th! If you want to learn about the grant, application process, eligibility, and more, join us on September 8th from 12 to 1 PM for an information call on zoom! Register below.

It's Back To School Time! The Together We're Better Student Artwork and Drawing Contests Now Accepting Submissions

Students can demonstrate what they know and how they feel about inclusion by creating artwork that aligns with this year's Inclusive Schools Week theme, CHILDREN FIRST – Building a Stronger Tomorrow. Student drawings and artwork selected for 1-3rd place honors can receive prizes for themselves and their schools! All submissions also go on a traveling tour across Maryland, where they are displayed in community libraries and other public places! Learn more and get started through the buttons below!

Amplify Your Advocacy Today: Join an Empowering Partners Self-Advocacy Group in Your Community!

Self-Advocacy groups across Maryland are making positive waves right now! Join your local group, supported by the "Empowering Partners" initiative, meeting monthly, and be empowered to create the change you want for yourself and your friends. Through the button below, you can find out about local meetings happening next month to get started and make an impact!

Support The Arc Maryland When You Shop at Target

Need any additional back-to-school supplies to start your school year off right?If you are a Target shopper, please consider supporting The Arc Maryland with your purchase points!

Members of the free Target Circle Program can use their purchases for good! You can also join Target Circle for free. From now until September 30th, Target Circle Members can cast votes they earn from Target transactions for The Arc Maryland. At the end of the voting cycle, The Arc Maryland will be awarded a share of donations from Target, thanks to your votes.

Low Intensity Support Services Program - Random Selection Application Period Closes September 15th

The Developmental Disabilities Administration's Low-Intensity Support Services (LISS) Program is currently accepting applications for financial assistance for services and/or items for the year! The LISS program serves children with IDD living at home with family, and adults living in their own homes in the community who are not receiving any support services from the DDA. You can apply through the online Random Selection Application by September 15th at the button below!

Apply for the LEND Self-Advocate Trainee Program

Kennedy Krieger Instituteis searching for two self-advocates to join their LEND Program for 2025-2026! LEND presents self-advocates with an opportunity to share their story with health and education professionals as they learn advocacy and leadership skills during lectures and projects. Participants will receive a $2,000 stipend for participating in this training program. If you are interested in participating, contact Dr. Miya Asato today at asato@kennedykrieger.org. Click below for more information!

DDA 2025 Waiver Amendment Webinar: Family Supports and Community Supports Waiver Participant Medicaid Notice

September 2nd from 12 to 1:30 PM

In October of this year, Maryland's Family Supports Waiver and Community Supports Waiver will be combined into one program: The Community Pathways Waiver. With this amendment underway, the DDA is hosting a webinar on September 2nd at noon to discuss a letter sent out to waiver participants and answer questions from stakeholders. Please register for the webinar below to attend.

DDA Community Pathways Waiver Amendment- Public Comment Summary with DDA Response

The Maryland Department of Health’s (MDH) DDA Waiver Application was open for public comment from June 9 to July 8, 2025. The Department reports it received several recommendations from the public for which further engagement with stakeholders is needed. Some of the recommendations they received were accepted, and some were not accepted for this amendment. In total, 255 unduplicated individuals, families, providers, advocacy agencies, including The Arc Maryland, and public members submitted input. Below is a summary of the input from the public and responses.

The Arc Maryland Attends Maryland Association of Counties Conference in Ocean City

This month, Executive Director Ande Kolp and Deputy Executive Director Sharon Dols of The Arc Maryland Team attended the Maryland Association of Counties Summer Conference. We seized this opportunity to connect with state and local governments, as well as fellow organizations who are doing great work across the state!

As We Look To The Future of Our Work, We Need You!

Support The Arc Maryland Today!

Are you looking for ways to support the work of The Arc Maryland? We have many opportunities for ways in which you can give! See below or contact below or contact sdols@thearcmd.org for more information.

Or mail your donation to:

The Arc Maryland

Attn: Annual Giving Campaign

8601 Robert Fulton Drive, Suite 140

Columbia, MD 21046

The Arc Maryland is a public charity, 501(c)(3) organization. We work to create a world where children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) have and enjoy equal rights and opportunities. For more information, please visit Candid (Guidestar): We have the Gold Transparency Seal!