The Advocate

A Message From Our Executive Director

Happy 2022! I hope this year is filled with joy! Many people start their year with a resolution, so I thought I would share my Harford Center resolution with you. This year has been a challenging one filled with loss, anxiety, and uncertainty. To acknowledge all that “we” have been through, my resolution is to consciously state everyday something that brings me joy in my work, my life, and my experience. For the Harford Center, this translates to seeing the joy that is present every day. The analogy that comes to mind is to “stop and smell the roses,” and we have so many roses here at the Harford Center.

One rose that I see every day is the staff’s commitment to keeping our participants safe. We continue to have a mask mandate for staff, daily cleaning routines, and temperature checks. Additionally, we are also making sure that staff, when exposed, are monitoring for symptoms, and getting the care that they need. We know how rough this year has been with the pandemic, variants, spikes in numbers, etc.; however, we continue to persevere.

Again, I wish everyone a Happy 2022! Please join me in stopping to smell the roses, finding joy in everyday things, and being thankful for simple pleasures.

Finally, I want to express my deepest condolences to the Cerruto family, our Harford Center family, and community on the loss of Anne Cerruto. Anne passed away at the end of the year, and we feel this loss profoundly. My prayers are with all who knew Anne.

Stay warm and safe,

Sherry

The Harford Center will be closed on

Monday, January 17th for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!

Please take a moment to review our Inclement Weather Policy.

In Memory of Anne Marie Cerruto

1962-2021

We are sad to announce the passing of our Board Chair, Anne Cerruto. In addition to her service at The Harford Center, Anne worked for Harford County’s Office on Aging as a Client Advocacy Services Specialist, and sat on the Boards of both Harford and Baltimore County’s Chesapeake Down Syndrome Parent Groups.

Anne’s son has received support at The Harford Center for many years. We all knew her as a devoted mother and a dedicated advocate. Her commitment to our mission was an inspiration to us all, and she will be sorely missed. Our hearts go out to her family and friends. We hope they find comfort in the good work she did. Her absence will be felt in the entire community; we are truly grateful to have known her.

Welcome Our New Board Chair

Nancy Brugh

We are pleased to announce our new Board Chair, Nancy Brugh. Nancy has served on our Board for seven years, Chairing our Strategic Planning Committee and serving on our Membership Committee. Her professional experience includes working as a Consumer and Family Resource Teacher and Transition Special Educator. She worked for Harford County Public Schools until 2020 as a Transition Resource Teacher, where she was a liaison between HCPS, students with disabilities and their families, and agencies that provide transition services. She is active in the community, advocating for people with disabilities and for the parents and family members of people with disabilities. She has an adult son who has autism and intellectual disabilities as well as a grandchild with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Her professional and personal experiences will benefit The Harford Center greatly. Welcome, Nancy!

Join Us For An Event Or Be Part of Our Team!

We're Hiring!

We are looking for Direct Support Professionals! DSPs make a real difference in the lives of the people they support. You'll feel good about the work you do here. We offer competitive wages, a great benefits package, paid holidays, PTO, a Monday-Friday daytime schedule, and a generous sign on bonus! Click here to apply on our website or email Terry at tlawler@harfordcenter.org for more information.

We are seeking an innovative and compassionate leader for our Human Resource Director. The HR Director serves an integral role in fostering an environment where staff are valued.

The Harford Center values diversity and an organizational cultural that is staff-positive and enhances the lives of its clients and continually develops the strengths and talents of its staff. Competitive Salary, Great Benefit Package, Supportive and Caring Working Environment Minimal requirements include: Bachelor’s

degree in human resources, Business

Administration, or related field required. A

minimum of three years of human resource

management experience preferred. Combined

experience/education as substitute for minimum

education. HRCI, SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP

certifications highly desired. If you are

interested, email tlawler@harfordcenter.org to apply.

It's Golf Tournament Time!

Please scan the QR Code above or click here to visit our Golf Tournament page, register players, buy mulligans, pay for a sponsorship, or volunteer to help out at the event. If you have any questions, please email Dinah at dbertholdt@harfordcenter.org.

One Thing We Always Do Is Have A Good Time!

Drive Through COVID Testing is now available at Ripken Stadium Monday-Saturday from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Click here for more information or to register. PLEASE SCHEDULE APPOINTMENTS AT THIS LOCATION TO MINIMIZE WAIT TIMES.

Walk Up tests are available at Upper Chesapeake from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM every day. Appointments are not available at this location. Click here for more details.

Watch Barry Glassman's State of the County Address here.

Good News! Monthly SSI payments are increasing by 5.9%, and the total annual amount that can be contributed to an ABLE account is rising to $16,000 for 2022!

Bills we're following for the upcoming legislative session:

Maryland House Bill 226, which would require special education classrooms in public schools to be monitored by video.
Maryland House Bills 103 and 224, which would grant property tax credits and exemptions to certain disabled veterans.
House Bill 78, which would require employers to provide reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified employees with disabilities so long as doing so would not pose a financial hardship or give preferential treatment to the candidate with a disability.
House Bill 221, which would allow people in the Healing Hunting and Fishing Program (primarily disabled veterans) to receive no-cost hunting and fishing licenses.