Children & Youth Services

Stepping Stones Program: Autism Waiver Supported Program

Autism Waiver Services allow children and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder to receive supports in their home and community. Th program is designed to integrate youth into their community by facilitating the development of critical skills relative to independent living, socialization, self-care, communication, and work. 

Stepping Stones provides a variety of services including:

• In-home respite care

• Intensive Individualized Support Services (IISS)

• Therapeutic Integration Services (TIS)

• Environmental Accessibility Adaption Assistance

• Case Management Services

• Family Consultation

• Supported Employment

Stepping Stones also offers a TI Site with a highly therapeutic sensory room for the youth to utilize. Stepping Stones offers services after school, evenings, weekends and in the summer. 

To be eligible for Arc’s Autism Waiver Services, the youth must have an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis (DSM-IV 299.00 or 299.80) and be approved for waiver services through the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).

Once you have been approved for the Autism Waiver, please contact us for services.

Julie Fee, Program Manager
Phone: 301-733-3550 ext. 2258
Email: jlfee@arcwc-md.org

For more information about our program, download our Stepping Stones Brochure (PDF).
Descargue nuestro folleto en español, El programa Stepping Stones (PDF).

Personal Supports: up to age 21

The Personal Supports Program at the Arc of Washington County provides a broad spectrum of 1 to 1 supports to youth under 21 with special needs ranging from community outreach, respite care services, and case management. The program utilizes a person-centered approach while paying special attention and care to ensure that each youth’s needs and preferences are considered appropriate as the team formulates their individualized goals for their plan of care. These services are through Waiver Programs offered by the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) and include:

• Community Pathways Waiver

• Community Supports Waiver

• Family Supports Waiver

The Personal Supports Program assists the youth with acquiring and building the skills necessary to maximize their personal independence including in-home skills such as:

• Completing homework

• Budgeting and money management

• Cooking

• Personal care

• House cleaning

• Routine chores

• Laundry

The program also works on community integration and access with a focus on recreation and leisure interests as well as the development of social engagement skills. Community outings and skill building have focused on grocery shopping, getting a haircut, and using public transportation. Respite services provide short term care services so that a family can take a break from their daily caregiving responsibilities.

For more information about our program, download our Personal Supports Program Brochure (PDF).

Descargue nuestro folleto en español, Apoyos Personales (PDF).

Youth Residential Services

The Youth Residential program serves young adults with the age range of 10 -21 in five residential settings with a licensed capacity of 17. The program serves boys and girls in both high-intensity small group homes and a service model which prepares older adolescents for independent living. These settings specialize in programming for youth with developmental disabilities and autism while providing 24-hour structure and care for all levels of need including youth with behavioral issues, substance abuse concerns, and mental illness. Our program integrates a person-centered approach while developing opportunities for those youth supported to participate in age-appropriate recreation, leisure, and community-based social activities. By using the Ready By 21 benchmarks, the youth receive further developmental training and enhancement in life skills, job readiness, and social skills.

This program is only available to youth sheltered by DDS through the courts and deemed a Child in Need of Assistance (CINA).