April 2021 – The Harford Center

At the heart of the Harford Center is community. The Harford Center not only embraces its community, we also advocate for our members. This month has been very successful in terms of getting our participants, Harford County citizens with disabilities, and our partners vaccinated. Through two collaborations, we have been able to offer the vaccine to all our participants, all our staff, and community members in Phase 1 of Maryland’s vaccination plan. On March 17, St. Patty’s Day, we donned our green and many members were welcomed at the health department’s vaccine clinic. Old friends were reunited and many celebrated getting vaccinated. Thank you to the Harford County Health Department for its commitment to equity and access for people with disabilities.

On March 25/26, the Harford Center coordinated a large-scale vaccination clinic in partnership with Rite-Aid, Service Coordination, and the Developmental Disabilities Administration to offer 300 vaccines to Harford Center participants, their caretakers, essential staff, and community members in Phase One. We were so excited to be a part of the State and County’s “stop the spread” efforts. The Harford Center and its Board of Directors recognize that, through the strong partnerships that we have, the needs of people with disabilities are always at the forefront in our community.

A common question that is arising is “When is the Harford Center re-opening?” To that, I say, we NEVER closed. We have not missed a day of service in the long year of the pandemic. Over the past year, we have had small groups in the building, participated in community activities, provided virtual supports, and supported individuals in their homes. We are in the process of a slow and safe re-entry plan for those individuals who were unable to receive services. With most of our participants and their caregivers vaccinated, we are excited to welcome back some familiar faces. If you have questions about when you or your loved one can return, please reach out to a team member to discuss your individualized re-entry plan. We understand that this pandemic has taken a different toll on everyone. Our commitment is to create an individualized re-entry plan in conjunction with the person supported, his/her team, and the Harford Center. The goal is that everyone feels heard, feels safe, and can return in a planned way.

With Spring coming, hope is growing. I look forward to seeing all of you very soon.

Sherry Nolte, LCSW-C

Executive Director

View photos, brochures, and news articles from the last 60 years here!

View Disability Resources and Community/Social Services Information here!

The Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities is currently offering a variety of classes and training opportunities for people with disabilities, their families, direct support professionals, health professionals, and the community. Classes cover a wide range of topics, such as: navigating processes of assessment, teaching strategies for self-advocacy, understanding legal issues, and supporting people through grief. Learn more and register here!

Disability News Roundup

ast Friday, President Biden sent the first draft of his first budget request to Congress. It included proposed funding increases for a number of disability-related initiatives:

$732 million for early intervention services (an increase of $250 million)
$551 million for Home and Community Based Services
$180 million for affordable housing units to support independent living
$75 million for social security outreach to ensure that those who are eligible to receive SSI can access it
$15.5 billion for services to school-aged children under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This is an increase of $2.6 billion. IDEA has never been fully funded; this would be its first increase in 8 years.

Expect more details about the budget to emerge after Congress has looked it over.

*****

On April 30, Nike will start selling the Nike Go FlyEase, the first completely hands-free model in their FlyEase line of adaptable footwear. The heel of the Go FlyEase hinges open, allowing the shoe to be slipped on and off without stretching out. The shoe will be priced at $120. Find more information here.

*****

According to Disability Scoop, the 2020-2021 television season has the most regularly-appearing characters with disabilities of any television season to date. In primetime shows on the five major networks (NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox, and The CW), there are 18 major characters who have disabilities (there are 773 recurring characters overall). While this is still a smaller percentage of people with disabilities than we find in real life, the numbers are trending toward more realistic representation.

*****

Airbnb has launched about a dozen online experiences designed to facilitate exploration for neurodiverse individuals. The virtual activities are designed to help people with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and learning differences navigate new experiences before or instead of participating in them in the physical world. Check them out on the airbnb website under “inclusive exploration.”

Don’t Forget to Register for 2021’s (Virtual) Expo for Transitioning Youth!

The expo is 100% free and will feature workshops on topics such as: SSI, DDA, DORS, ABLE accounts, and social skills. Resources will be shared, and participants will have the opportunity to review materials from several service providers. If you know any families making the move to adult services, please share this information.

Click here for more information!

There's Still Time to Play in our 1st Annual Golf Tournament!

Join us at beautiful Mountain Branch Golf Club on May 10th!

Contests: Hole In One, Longest Drive, Closest to the Pin, Putting.

Prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place foursomes.

$125 per player

Visit our tournament’s webpage

Raffle Tickets:

Raffles are open to everyone! You do not have to attend the event to win.

Tickets are $5. Raffle prizes include: 50/50, golf bag of cheer (beer, wine, and liquor), and gift baskets (all valued at over $250) that include: gift cards for local restaurants, massages, handgun qualification classes, wine tastings, high end jewelry, dry needling sessions, golf accessories, and more. Visit our website for more details.