Offers disability-related training, education, publications, and events for the benefit of children and adults with disabilities, their families and caregivers. Caring Communities is a small, yet growing, non-profit 501(c)3 organization based in Eldersburg, Maryland, which began in February of 1997 when a group of parents of children who had disabilities met to address the need for comprehensive r
espite care services and the lack of trained respite care providers in Maryland. Based on their personal experiences and frustrations, the group resolved to establish a statewide resource dedicated to promoting the ability of families who have children with disabilities to have a “break”, or respite, from the day-to-day responsibilities of raising such a child. The ad hoc group specified that this new organization must be family centered and serve all parents regardless of the nature of a child’s disability and with sensitivity to race, culture or ethnic background. They agreed that it must be parent-directed in that a majority of its board members and employees must themselves be parents of children who have disabilities. A Board of Directors was formed, articles of incorporation were developed and the process to receive non-profit status was completed. Since that time, grant funding has been received to train many respite care providers and to provide respite-related family support services in most counties in the state of Maryland. Caring Communities has now grown into a well-known and widely respected service organization offering disability-related activities and events for thousands within the entire disabilities community in MD, DC and Virginia. Our events and services include: the World of Possibilities Expos in Maryland and Virginia, two of the largest disabilities expos in the Region, the Caring Kit, the Caring Network and local respite care trainings. Our publications include the World of Possibilities Lifestyle Disabilities Magazines (published twice a year/Baltimore-Washington edition) and the About Our Family respite care workbook. We are an impassioned organization, with a staff whole-heartedly dedicated to seeing that all people, no matter what their ability may have access to all that life has to offer. Each employee and volunteer brings unique personal and professional perspective and insight. The executive director and founder of Caring Communities is a Registered Nurse and parent of a child with disabilities who has had over 20 years of professional and personal experience working to improve the lives of people with disabilities.
