Arc of Frederick County outlines services and warns of state funding cuts

Lisa Martinez, a support coordinator at the Arc of Frederick County, told the Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee on Feb. 24 that the Arc provides a range of services for people with developmental disabilities, from residential supports and employment services to day programs, sibling groups and future-planning assistance.

"Everything we've talked about today, there is something on our website about that," Martinez said, noting the Arc also provides a "letter of intent" families can use to explain daily routines and preferences to substitute caregivers.

Nut graf: The Arc emphasized both direct services and community connections. Presenters described Market Street, a culinary training program where participants gain paid on-site work experience, and a day program for adults with differing needs. They also warned of an ongoing state budget stress affecting Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)-funded services and urged continued advocacy to protect Medicaid-eligible waiver funding.

Martinez described Market Street as a hands-on vocational training site where people learn kitchen and serving skills and are paid when they work events. She said the building also houses a day program for people who cannot or choose not to work, and that the Arc partners with Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) for employment transitions for youth leaving the school system.

The presenters said the Arc operates sibling support groups and a monthly "Parents Day Out" program offering short respite for families, and that many services are provided free to the community. They also highlighted future- and estate-planning assistance and the use of Maryland ABLE accounts for people with disabilities to save without affecting eligibility for some benefits.

On funding, Corby Fowler and Martinez told the committee the fiscal picture at the state level remains precarious. Martinez said advocates are tracking a proposed FY 2026 state reduction she described as a wide-scale DDA funding risk and urged committee members to continue contacting state officials. She cited an estimated wait list and the federal match that typically accompanies state waiver dollars and warned that state reductions would likely reduce available federal matching funds.

Committee members asked for program details. Martinez described outreach to Hispanic families and a Hispanic outreach coordinator, Rosa Reyes, who attends community resource events and helps families with school planning and IEP meetings. She said the Arc partners regularly with FCPS, Frederick Community College, neighborhood centers and other local agencies to expand access.

Ending: The Arc representatives encouraged committee members to continue advocacy and to use the Arc's website and resource fair appearances to connect families with services and materials. Martinez and Fowler said they would bring business cards and contact information to the upcoming CCAC resource fair so families could follow up.