Our History

September 3, 1975: Calvert Association for Retarded Citizens is incorporated in the State of Maryland.

1976: Calvert Association for Retarded Citizens' first employee (Margaret Smith) is hired.

1977: Calvert Association for Retarded Citizens' first Executive Director (Tom Fisher) is hired, and the Calvert Learning Center is established to serve 18 adults with mental retardation.

1978: Calvert Association for Retarded Citizens applied for and received HUD 202 funds to purchase and/or build eight homes, scattered throughout Calvert County. The Residential Program begins when the agency rents three houses and serves 9 adults.

1979: Calvert Association for Retarded Citizens expands and changes its focus from adult learning to employment, shifting from arts & crafts to developing work habits. Jerry D. Kiracofe is named Executive Director of CARC.

1980: Calvert Association for Retarded Citizens receives funding to provide residential supports and services. Southern Maryland Project begins, an effort to serve people labeled severely and profoundly mentally retarded in the community in order to prevent another institution from being built.

1981: Calvert Association for Retarded Citizens begins its Community Education & Family Support Services program.

1983: Receives the Governor’s Committee on Employment of the Handicapped Barrier-Free Design Award for wheelchair-accessible residences.

1984: Calvert Association for Retarded Citizens establishes its Individual Support Services to people who are living in their own homes or with family members. A fully-integrated day care center is opened, the first of its kind in the State .

1985: Calvert Association for Retarded Citizens begins its Supported Employment program. The agency develops the Cooperative Summer Program with the Board of Education and Parks & Recreation.

1986: Calvert Association for Retarded Citizens changes its name to ARC/Calvert. Vocational services are moved into a brand new building on West Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick. (This building is funded through both Calvert County and the State of Maryland). Family Services Department is selected as a model program by the Center on Human Policy in Syracuse, New York. Kate Rollason is named Executive Director for the ARC/Calvert.

1987: ARC/Calvert sponsors its first Golf Tournament to raise funds for the development of a children’s residence.

1988: Agency establishes strong legislative network with Southern Maryland Delegation. The agency first enclave is established at a local business (Direct Mail). CDS is awarded a DORS grant to enhance its Supported Employment program.

1990: ARC/Calvert receives three-year accreditation through CARF. The agency’s Employee Incentive Program begins. The agency’s principle office moves to 268 Merrimac Court, Prince Frederick, Maryland. The Arc/Calvert hosts the State Convention.

1991: The Quality of Life Committee was established (formerly named "Parent Monitoring Committee").

1992: The long-awaited Children’s Residence opens in February. In September, The ARC/Calvert merges with the St. Mary’s Association for Retarded Citizens, expands services into Charles County, and is renamed The Arc of Southern Maryland.

1994: The Arc of Southern Maryland reorganizes to become a stronger agency. Departments include: Operations (Residential, ISS and Vocational services); Administration; Family Support and Advocacy; Quality Improvement; and Planning.

1995: The Arc of Southern Maryland designs a new logo, "The Arc" on the top, "of Southern Maryland" at the bottom and a sailboat in the middle. The Arc Rainbow Day Care Center is closed. Children who used the center are all enrolled in community day care centers.

1996: Great Oaks Center, the Southern Maryland Region Institution, closes its doors.

1997: The Arc of Southern Maryland hosts State Convention. The Waiting List Campaign begins.

1998: The Arc of Southern Maryland is accepted as a United Way of Charles County member. The Governor’s Waiting List Initiative goes into effect. The Arc of Southern Maryland is awarded the Behavior & Emergency Support Services Consortium grant. Harriet S. Yaffe is named Executive Director of The Arc of Southern Maryland.

1999: The Arc of Southern Maryland hosts the Hoist the Sail Gala. The Arc’s Resource Library is established through funding from St. Gertrude’s Foundation.

2000: The Arc of Southern Maryland undergoes major organizational restructure to better provide services. Departments now include: Finance & Human Resources, Employment Services, Residential Services and Family & Individual Support Services. The Arc of Southern Maryland staff, Calvert County Cultural Arts Council staff and Joann Kushner meet to develop what eventually becomes the Calvert Artists Showcase.

2001: The Arc of Southern Maryland reinforces its nursing department to better provide nursing services to individuals. The Arc of Southern Maryland moves its St. Mary’s office back to Leonardtown. The Arc of Southern Maryland develops new marketing materials.

2002: The Arc of Southern Maryland is awarded the DDA- Southern Maryland Region's Intensive Behavior Management Services and the State's Department of Human Resources Respite Care Services grant for Calvert and Charles Counties.

2003: The Arc of Southern Maryland is awarded the Maryland Respite Coalition's 2003 “Outstanding Provider Agency Award”

2004: The Arc of Southern Maryland receives the Maryland Respite Care Coalition’s 2004 “Karen Patterson Community Respite Award.” The MRCC is an influential voice for increasing public awareness of the escalating need for quality respite care.

2005: The Arc of Southern Maryland joins with several other Mid-Atlantic regional providers to visit Brazil as part of a staff exchange program, one of the highlights which included the presentation of The Arc’s Intensive Behavior Management Services

2006: The Arc of Southern Maryland introduces two teen self-advocacy groups: one in Calvert County and one is St. Mary's County. The Arc's Annual Pat Collins Memorial Golf Tournament raises a record-breaking $42,000.