Ask The Arc

The Arc supports transitioning youth students and adults to location meaningful, competitive employment so they can earn a paycheck that sustains a meaningful life.  Support Coordinators are certified as Employment Specialists and provide assistance at various points on one's employment journey.  Braiding services from the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) and the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA), Support Coordinators maximize resources, so using one's talents, skills, and interests is a focus of their career search.  Job development provides opportunities for Support Coordinators to learn about each person they serve while assessing their skill set, creating volunteer positions, completing resumes, and making connections to businesses.

A highlight of The Arc's supports is our Culinary and Hospitality Training Program to provide people with necessary skills in restaurant, catering, customer service, and related fields.  Students gain hands on experience as part of a team to prepare and serve meals and set up and host while providing excellent service when community members rent space at The Arc at Market Street for their events.

Support Coordinators cultivate relationships with many businesses to support people to obtain and maintain their jobs.  The Arc provides on-the-job coaching so people have support in meeting their employers expectations and building natural supports at work.  The assistance provided by The Arc is twofold; with goals to support people serves and assist our business partners to nurture inclusive cultures within their organizations.

To expand the diversity of the workforce in Frederick County, The Arc partners with the greater community to host semiannual Reverse Job Fairs to connect employers to the talented pool of people with disabilities equipped with skills.  An annual Employment Summit is hosted in partnership with Frederick Community College as a day for businesses that employ people with disabilities to share their experiences with leaders who are interested in broadening their workforce.

Employment supports also include connecting people to benefits counseling so people with disabilities can work and maintain resources from the Social Security Administration and Medicaid. Outdated information leads some to believe that people cannot receive benefits and work.  The Arc assists people to protect resources and make the most of available benefits while earning a paycheck and contributing to their economies.

Individuals, families, and the business community can contact Aaron at AStephens@arcfc.org to learn more about The Arc's Employment Services.