Empowering Individuals with I/DD Through Targeted Mental Health Grants

Today we share the great work of The Arc Prince George’s County and the grant awarded by the FCIDD this past spring! Since 1952, The Arc has been dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families by providing lifelong support and opportunities.

Because of the wide span diversity of their services, The Arc has become the “one-stop shop” for those with I/DD in Prince George’s County.  Their services include community day programming, employment resources, residential services, family services, transitioning youth, and a benefits enrollment center.  This grant sought to address mental health virtually through Project LIVE with a specific program through October 2025.  

Project LIVE – Healthy Transitions

Living with Intention, Vision, & Empowerment

Recognizing the increasing mental health needs of individuals with I/DD, The Arc PGC secured an opportunity with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration to launch Project LIVE (Living with Intention, Vision & Empowerment) in 2024. Project LIVE is committed to significantly enhancing and expanding outreach and engagement; mental health screening, assessment, early intervention, comprehensive treatment, care coordination; and recovery support services. This ensures access for transition age youth, young adults, and their families and caregivers in Prince George’s County. A pivotal discovery from this project revealed that mental health providers were not adequately prepared to offer therapy and trauma-informed care for people with I/DD. This training program is set to effectively address that challenge.

This work, funded by FCIDD and the Greater Silver Spring Civitan Club, will build on The Arc PGC's Project LIVE mental health initiative, enabling us to deliver the following specialized mental health and internet safety trainings to mental health professionals, educators, caregivers, first responders and self-advocates throughout the state of Maryland.   Training will be a mix of in-person and virtual training that together will consist of almost 80 hours of education.  This project was funded at $35,000 and the Foundation is proud to be a part of this important project.