Proposal Summary

Project Name:  Project Income

Organization:  The Arc of Howard County & The Arc of Anne Arundel County

Purpose

The purpose of the project is to increase employment of people with disabilities, implement an individualized funding model, and help individuals interested in self-employment to develop microenterprises. Project Income is a collaboration of eleven Howard and Anne Arundel County agencies.  Over three years, the project will provide employment opportunities for 75 individuals with developmental disabilities: 10 micro-enterprises and 65 unique and individualized employment opportunities.

The project will contract with two nationally recognized organizations – Griffin-Hammis Associates and The Center for Self-Determination – for training and consultation.

The project will establish a Leadership Team composed of individuals, families, executive directors, support staff and community leaders that will provide platform style training and support to foster this grass roots movement in Maryland.  Additionally, the project will establish a Business Advisory Committee comprised of community and business leaders.

Year One Strategies

• Establish a Leadership Team and Business Advisory Committee
• Provide training, consultation, and mentoring on microenterprises, how to create a business plan, individualized budgets, employment support networks, person-centered planning, natural supports and fiscal intermediaries.
• Conduct an individualized employment assessment for each participant.
• Create a business plan for participants interested in developing micro-enterprises.
• Provide employment assistance and self-employment job development

Year One Outcomes

• 20 individuals will be self-employed or have job opportunities of their choosing utilizing their skills, knowledge and abilities, which can provide for living wages, benefits, and/or career and business advancement.
• 11 agencies will know how to build employment support networks, implement person-centered planning, create individualized budgets and provide fiscal intermediary services
• 20 people will have individual budgets and be knowledgeable about available funds.

Long Term Outcomes of this Initiative

• Increased employment options for persons with developmental disabilities
• Utilization of individualized budgets
• Creation of a successful employment strategies that are replicable
• Creation of a Leadership Team that will promote person-centered supported employment or self-employment opportunities
• Long-term systemic changes in the participating agencies: The Arc of Howard County, The Arc of Anne Arundel County, Bello Machre, Langton Green, Gallagher Services, Richcroft, Opportunity Builders, Inc., Providence Center, Humanim, UCP of Southern Maryland, and Athelas Institute.