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ACDS history
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In 1967, the International Contact Dermatitis Research Group (ICDRG) was formed as an amalgamation of the numerous national European groups interested in contact dermatitis.
1969 - The Arc's first Activity Center, the first of its kind in Maryland, opens in an abandoned movie theater in Dundalk.
In the 1970’s, programs such as information and referral, testing and counseling, day programs, group homes and case management services were begun.
1971 - The Arc opens a group home in Roland Park, the first such community living opportunity in the State.
1972 - 73 - Space was rented on Long Island for the first “center-based” programs.
1972 - The Arc secures a contract to maintain the grounds of Loyola College and launches its Landscape Employment Service.
1974 - Greenhouse program opens in Reisterstown and Essex.
1975 -76 - The agency is approved for New York State funding, the programs are consolidated in Eastern Nassau County, and the position of Executive Director is created.
1977 - Residents experience integrated community living in The Arc's first alternative living units (ALU).
1978 - Family Resources establishes a respite care program, homemaker services, transportation support, and a family training curriculum.
1978 - Seventeen new ALU's open their doors to 50 Rosewood residents as The Arc plays a vital role in Maryland's deinstitutionalization process.
In the 1980’s, The Arc was able to concentrate on advocacy issues that affected people with intellectual disabilities.
For much of the 1980's, the NACDG operated as a committee under Dermatology Services, Inc. (DSI). During this time, the principal mission of the NACDG was to perform the requisite research required for FDA's approval of Hermal/Trolab's twenty-allergen patch test kit.
While it was primarily an advocacy and funding organization, in 1983 PARCA started a group home for women.
1984 - Governor Cuomo establishes October as Down syndrome Awareness Month in New York in a ceremony attended by Executive Director Freda Stimell.
1985 – 88 – Our school expands to 90 students.
Expands to Saturdays and Program Coordinator is hired in 1988.
On June 16, 1989, during the NACDG's and AAD's summer meeting in San Diego, CA, Bob Adams outlined the final plans for the society's inaugural meeting in San Francisco, CA later that Fall.
After years of hard work and preparation by many, the first Annual Meeting of the ACDS was called to order by Bob Rietschel at 9:00 A.M. (PST) on December 1, 1989.
1990 - Foster Care program begins providing family placement for children with special needs.
1993 - Medical Day Care program begins.
1993 - The Arc undertakes its first capital campaign in 45 years.
1994 - The Arc of Baltimore Community Resource Center opens at 7215 York Road!
1995 – 96 - Inclusionary day care program for children in the community opens.
1997 - Three-year contract with the Department of Human Resources for the Arc's award‑winning respite care program.
1999 - The Arc of Baltimore celebrates its 50th anniversary as Baltimore's premier advocate.
2000 - First Individualized Residential Alternative (IRA group home) opens in Wantagh – all six residents are former ACDS students.
2001 - The Arc offers inaugural Bay Buddies Camp for twenty children with disabilities in partnership with Baltimore County Recreation and Parks and the Living Classrooms Foundation.
2002 - The Arc of Baltimore opens a new Dundalk Medical Day Center.
2003 - Bay Buddies Program expanded to accommodate 80 campers from Baltimore County and Baltimore City public schools.
2004 - 05 - Michael Smith is hired as Executive Director.
Operating budget reaches $14 million, having more than doubled since 2004.
2005 The Arc’s major programs are accredited by CARF (formerly the Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) and also earns the Standards for Excellence Certification through the Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organizations.
2006 - Budget is $8 million and staff reaches 175 as 40th anniversary is celebrated.
2008 - The Arc closes the day center in Waverly, moving participants to a space at the York Road Community Resource Center that serves as both an activity area and launch site for crews doing indoor and outdoor janitorial work.
2009 - After years of lobbying, self-advocates and The Arc family celebrate the planned closure of the State’s Rosewood institution and welcome 10 former Rosewood residents into Arc services.
2010 - Seventh IRA opens on West Loines Ave. in Merrick.
2011 - ACDS celebrates its 45th Anniversary, with employees providing service to nearly one thousand individuals.
2011 - The organization adopts a new logo as part of a national branding initiative and adopts the name, The Arc Baltimore.
2012 - Agency changes legal name to ACDS and adopts a new tag line to reflect the continued evolution of services to children and adults with varying developmental disabilities.
2012 - The Arc launches a third site for their Project SEARCH program at Medstar Union Memorial Hospital.
2012 - Established formal Assistive Technology program to better utilize various technologies and applications to support individuals at work and home.
2013 - ACDS receives New York State approval to open an eighth group home in Albertson, NY to serve four adults with autism.
2013 - Our first home is equipped with Rest Assured technology to support independent living for an individual by using cameras, microphones, and other technology for support that ensures health and safety while maintaining privacy.
2013 - Our Clinical Supports Department launched The Healing Center, an intensive individual and group trauma-informed therapy program for individuals with I/DD.
2013 - Reorganization of departments results in the establishment of the Outreach and Family Services Division.
2015 - The Arc launches its fourth Project SEARCH site at Northwest Hospital with our partner, Sheppard Pratt Health System.
2016 - ACDS’ 50th anniversary is celebrated and a second 4410 site is opened in Westchester, serving 3-5 year olds from the community.
2019 - A second Day Habilitation site opens at Sacred Heart Parish in Merrick.
2019 - Continuing the transition to more community-based day programs with opportunities for people to increasingly be engaged in activities and trips around Greater Baltimore, The Arc closed its day center in Woodlawn.
2021 - ACDS successfully completed the purchase of our 4 Fern Place headquarters from the Plainview school district.
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| Company name | Founded date | Revenue | Employee size | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Down Syndrome Society | 1979 | $3.1M | 2 | - |
| Easter Seals Nevada | 1976 | $9.3M | 170 | 9 |
| QSAC | 1978 | $106.8M | 1,250 | 233 |
| New Hope Center | 1979 | $5.0M | 99 | 1 |
| Model Cities | 1967 | $5.0M | 2 | 4 |
| Elizabeth Richardson Center | 1963 | $10.0M | 100 | 9 |
| Abilities United | 1963 | - | - | 1 |
| First Step | 1981 | $1.2M | 15 | 16 |
| EASTER SEAL SOCIETY OF | 1992 | $13.1M | 436 | - |
| Primrose Center | 1962 | $4.1M | 86 | - |
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ACDS may also be known as or be related to ACDS, ACDS INC, Acds, Inc. and Association For Children.