The Arc Baltimore’s Family Programs Experience Record Growth

The Arc Baltimore saw record growth last year in two of its programs that assist families of children with developmental disabilities (autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, or intellectual disability).

The Arc Baltimore’s Family Fund Grant, which provides vital financial support to families of children with developmental disabilities, assisted 64 households in 2025, providing nearly $27,000 in direct financial support. Grants provided by The Arc helped to cover urgent and meaningful needs, such as medical expenses, therapies, or other essential services designed to improve quality of life.

The Arc’s Adopt a Family program, meanwhile, matched more than 100 families of children with developmental disabilities with generous donors who provided gifts, food boxes, and grocery store gift cards throughout the Thanksgiving and December holidays.

“Adopt a Family and the Family Fund Grant are just two of the many programs The Arc Baltimore offers to help children with developmental disabilities and their families to lead fulfilling lives with a sense of belonging, purpose, and meaningful relationships,” says The Arc’s CEO, Kathleen McNally Durkin.

Other programs provided by The Arc Baltimore to support the families of children with developmental disabilities include:

• The Treatment Foster Care program, which provides individualized, trauma-informed clinical support to promote healthy development, foster lasting relationships, and empower lifelong success;
• The Family Living Department, which supports children and adults with developmental disabilities who live at home with their families and have service plans funded by the Developmental Disabilities Administration;
• Parent and Sibling Support Groups, which offer support groups in which parents, caregivers, and siblings of people with disabilities can share experiences, build connections, and receive encouragement from others who understand their journey; and
• Transitioning Youth, which provides funding for supported employment and other day services for eligible high school graduates with developmental disabilities who might not otherwise qualify for DDA-funded supports.

Since 1949, The Arc Baltimore has supported people with developmental disabilities to lead fulfilling lives with a sense of belonging, purpose, and meaningful relationships. The Arc’s vision is a world where all people are valued, their voices are heard, and their impact is felt. With more than 700 full- and part-time employees, The Arc Baltimore provides employment training and support, day and residential services, family support and education, treatment foster care, assistive technology services, respite care, and public policy advocacy.

Applications for the Family Fund Grant are accepted twice a year, in February and August. For more information, visit https://www.thearcbaltimore.org/family-fund/.

To participate in the Adopt a Family program, whether you’d like to “adopt” a family or are seeking to be “adopted”, contact Mary Stemler in October 2026 at 410-296-2272, ext. 5305 or mstemler@thearcbaltimore.org or visit https://www.thearcbaltimore.org/adopt-a-family-baltimore/.

For more information about The Arc Baltimore, visit www.thearcbaltimore.org, email contactus@thearcbaltimore.org, or call 410-296-2272.