Family Support Services
Advocate. Educate. Participate.
Supporting families over “The Arc of a Lifetime,” offering a variety of personalized support to empower families and individuals to access available services.
Making A Difference
From successful parent to parent support groups to a brand-new summer camp for children of all abilities from ages 6 – 21, Family Support Services is empowering families and individuals to live their best lives.
Click the neighboring tabs to learn about our services, available resources broken down by different domains and stages of life, and our FAQ tab with frequently asked questions for more information.
Services
Discovery and Navigation
Learn about resources that are available to meet your needs. Family Support Services empowers families and individuals to:
- Develop skills to navigate and access resources
- Learn to advocate for services and/or policy change
- Create a vision for the future
Networking and Connecting
Know that you are not alone. Many families and individuals across our community face similar struggles. Family Support Services offers:
- Parent to parent support
- Non-disability community support
- Personalized resource referral
Programs and Training
Get involved with the programs and training provided by Family Support Services and develop a plan for a brighter future. Family Support Services offers:
- Respite, Camp Sp’Arc summer camp and monthly social events
- Short and/or long term planning
- Caregiver support and training
Resources By Life Domain
Click on the Life Domains listed below to see the relevant resources that are available for all ages.
Resources By Life Stage
For resources that are specific to a certain age group, click the relevant Life Stage below:
FAQ
What is Respite?
Respite is a program that assists families with help when needed to care for a loved one in the absence of the primary caregiver. The Arc NCR can help manage funded respite dollars or assist in locating and providing supports for families in Harford and Cecil Counties. Contact the Family Support Services Department by phone at 443-412-5490 for details or download our Respite and Event Packet here.
What are the most commonly needed applications?
The three most asked for applications are for DORS, LISS and DDA. Click and download these applications below:
If I am unable to attend a presentation, can I receive information from it?
Yes. Email FSS@arcncr.org to see what information is available, and visit our YouTube channel to see presentation recordings.
Camp Sp’Arc 2020 Cancelled
Regrettably, this summer’s 2020 Camp Sp’Arc is cancelled. The Arc NCR’s top priority is the health and safety of our campers, staff, volunteers, and community. Due to current restrictions under the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization did not feel it could have engaging and fun activities similar to last year while maintaining safety standards. We will miss all our campers and volunteers so much this year and we thank you for understanding. Please know that it is our goal to host Camp Sp’Arc again in summer 2021.
We also would like to thank Camp Sp’Arc’s highest level sponsor, our Inclusion Sponsor, APGFCU. In the absence of Camp Sp’Arc, APGFCU is gearing their funds towards supporting our essential Direct Support Professionals during COVID-19. Our DSP’s have worked tirelessly to continue supporting people with differing abilities and we appreciate APGFCU’s support of them!
Lastly, The Arc NCR is currently working behind the scenes to develop a fun and engaging Virtual Respite Program that will premier this summer. Please be on the lookout for more information to come soon!
For any questions regarding Camp Sp’Arc, please email FSS@arcncr.org.
Reach out to the Family Support Services team to see how our services can meet your needs or consider getting involved with Family Support Services through opportunities such as sponsoring Camp Sp’Arc. Click the “Email Family Support Services” button or call 410-836-7177 and ask to speak with Family Support Services.
