This year the Community Support Grant (CSG) program managed by Arundel Community Development Services (ACDS) has awarded $2.12 million in funding to 74 community-based organizations, including $25,000 for Project Learn and the Project Learn Leadership Academy.
The Arc Central Chesapeake Region (The Arc), in partnership with Education Team Allies and the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council, launched Project Learn to support public school students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in Anne Arundel, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties to understand the Individualized Education Program (IE) process and become strong self-advocates. The Project Learn Leadership Academy is a new interactive program for students with I/DD that builds their understanding of the IEP process and how to communicate their needs to their teachers.
“Programs like Project Learn and the Project Learn Academy are critical to supporting families and students as they navigate the education system’s IEP processes, which can be overwhelming,” says Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO of The Arc. “We have seen dramatic improvement in self-determination and assertiveness in students and families who have received support from these programs, and we are glad that Anne Arundel County Executive Pittman and ACDS have chosen to support our work in such a meaningful way.”
The competitive CSG program provided historic levels of funding this year to nonprofits providing vital services to residents of Anne Arundel County, prioritizing efforts related to equity and inclusion, community-based programming, and opportunity gaps in education.
“Project Learn and the Project Learn Leadership Academy are essential to making sure children with I/DD are being prioritized, educated, and included every step of the way through the IEP process,” says Deena Kilmon, Director of Engagement for The Arc. “We cannot emphasize enough how important having a sense of control and ownership is in a child’s education.”
The Project Learn team says this funding will expand their capacity to deliver high-quality services to even more students and families this coming school year thanks to the generosity of this ACDS Community Support Grant. Learn more about Project Learn and the Project Learn Leadership Academy here.
About The Arc Central Chesapeake Region
The Arc Central Chesapeake Region (The Arc) is a dynamic, regional organization providing person-centered supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live, work, and connect with their communities. We advocate for equity and access for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live self-determined lives and foster opportunities towards self-sufficiency. To learn more, visit www.thearcccr.org.