On this episode of the Charity Charge Show, we sit down with Katie Collins-Ihrke, Executive Director of The Arc of Howard County, to discuss the organization’s history, mission, and the current policy landscape impacting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Maryland.
The conversation covered three core themes: dignity, sustainability, and community collaboration.
Let’s break it down.
Overview
A Legacy Built by Families
The Arc chapters were founded in the 1950s and 60s by parents who wanted something better for their children. At the time, children with intellectual and developmental disabilities did not even have a guaranteed right to education. Families had to organize, advocate, and create services where none existed.
Today, there are more than 300 chapters across the United States.
In Maryland, chapters operate as both:
- Advocacy organizations
- Direct service providers
The Arc of Howard County supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities by helping them:
- Live in homes and apartments throughout the community
- Learn new skills
- Find and keep employment
- Participate fully in neighborhood life
They currently support individuals across roughly 30 properties integrated throughout the community. These are not isolated facilities. They are homes in neighborhoods, alongside everyone else.
As Katie put it simply, people with disabilities want the same things anyone else does: a home, a job, relationships, purpose.
Changing Perception: “People Are People”
One of the biggest misunderstandings Katie encounters is that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are often not viewed first as individuals with dreams, preferences, and goals.
Some community members feel uncertain because they have limited exposure to disability. But as integration increases, visibility increases.
Katie’s message is straightforward:
People are people. They are neighbors. They contribute. They belong.
That mindset is not sentimental. It shapes policy, services, hiring, and housing decisions every day.
Advocacy in a Tight Budget Environment
The conversation then turned to Maryland’s legislative session and the financial pressures facing disability services.
Maryland recently entered a 90-day session where lawmakers are reviewing the governor’s proposed budget. At the same time, there are potential federal Medicaid reductions being discussed nationally.
Why does this matter?
Medicaid funds critical community services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Cuts do not just affect organizational spreadsheets. They directly affect hours of care, staffing levels, and essential support services.
Katie described it as a balancing act:
- Protect mission-critical services
- Maintain organizational sustainability
- Avoid reducing support for individuals who depend on life-sustaining services
The reality is blunt. When funding drops, services shrink. That is the pressure point.
How a 65-Year-Old Organization Plans for Down Cycles
The Arc of Howard County has been around for 65 years. That longevity matters.
Strong board leadership over decades helped the organization build financial reserves during strong years. That foresight created a buffer for more difficult periods.
When cuts happened last year, they did not panic. They shifted.
- They relied on retained earnings
- They increased focus on philanthropy
- They pursued grants aligned with their mission
Katie emphasized something many nonprofit leaders forget: do not chase money that does not fit the mission.
Some programs generate revenue. Others operate at a deficit but are mission critical. Leadership must constantly evaluate:
- Is this financially sustainable?
- Is this essential to our mission?
- Do we have the capacity to execute well?
Mission drift weakens organizations. Staying focused strengthens them.
The Power of Collaboration in Howard County
One encouraging theme was collaboration.
If a funding opportunity aligns better with another local nonprofit, Katie has referred it out. That decision reflects confidence and clarity about The Arc’s purpose.
Howard County’s nonprofit culture emphasizes partnership rather than competition. When resources are limited, collaboration multiplies impact.
Katie made it clear: no single organization can do this work alone.
Q&A Podcast Transcript
Q: For those unfamiliar, what does The Arc of Howard County stand for and provide?
Katie Collins-Ihrke:
Chapters of The Arc were founded in the 1950s and 60s by parents who were seeking education and services for their children at a time when there was no guaranteed right to education for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Today, there are more than 300 chapters nationwide. In Maryland, chapters function as both advocacy organizations and direct service providers.
At The Arc of Howard County, we support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in living the lives they want. That includes helping individuals:
- Secure and maintain employment
- Live in homes and apartments throughout the community
- Build skills for independence
- Engage fully as members of their neighborhoods
We operate roughly 30 properties integrated throughout the community. These are not isolated facilities. They are homes in regular neighborhoods. Our role is to provide the support that makes independence possible.
Q: What is one of the biggest misconceptions about the people you support?
Katie:
One of the biggest misunderstandings is that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are not always viewed as individuals with hopes, dreams, and personal goals.
Sometimes people feel uncomfortable or uncertain because they have not had exposure to disability. But the reality is simple: people are people. They want the same things most of us want. A job. A home. Relationships. Purpose.
As community integration increases, visibility increases. That is a positive development. It reminds us that our neighbors with disabilities are contributors and active members of the community.
Q: You are currently navigating a challenging legislative season in Maryland. What is happening?
Katie:
Maryland recently entered a 90-day legislative session. Lawmakers are reviewing the governor’s budget, and we are seeing proposed cuts to services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
At the federal level, there are also discussions around potential Medicaid reductions. Medicaid funds many of the critical community-based services we provide.
When funding is reduced, organizations have fewer resources. That often translates into fewer services for individuals. These are not optional programs. Many are essential and, in some cases, life-sustaining.
Our focus right now is protecting the services that individuals rely on every day.
Q: How do budget cuts affect your organization and the people you serve?
Katie:
It impacts both sides of the equation.
From a human perspective, reduced funding can mean fewer support hours or limitations in services that help people live independently.
From a business perspective, we must maintain sustainability. We have to ensure we can continue operating responsibly while delivering essential services.
When cuts happen, we cannot simply absorb them without consequence. It becomes a balancing act between maintaining mission-critical programs and keeping the organization financially stable.
Q: How has The Arc of Howard County prepared for difficult financial periods?
Katie:
We are fortunate to be a 65-year-old organization with strong board leadership over time. During strong financial years, leadership set aside reserves. That foresight matters when downturns happen.
Last year, when we experienced cuts, we shifted our approach:
- We relied on retained earnings
- We increased fundraising efforts
- We pursued philanthropic support and grants
Long-term planning allows us to weather storms without immediately compromising services.
Q: How do you communicate funding challenges to donors without creating fear or instability?
Katie:
Transparency is critical.
We communicate clearly about where the impacts are and what the real needs look like. At the same time, we reassure donors that we are stable and not closing our doors.
We explain that we are able to navigate difficult periods because of community support. Donations allow us to fill gaps and maintain services.
The message is honest: times can be hard, and when they are, communities step up. Most nonprofits will tell you there is never enough funding to do everything we would like to do. But donor partnership makes sustainability possible.
Q: How do you decide which programs to prioritize when resources are tight?
Katie:
We evaluate two main factors:
- Financial sustainability
- Mission alignment
Some programs generate revenue and are financially strong. Others may operate at a deficit but are critical to the mission.
We do not chase funding simply because it is available. If an opportunity does not align closely with our mission or exceeds our capacity, we may decline it.
Mission drift weakens organizations. Staying aligned ensures clarity and long-term effectiveness.
Q: Have you ever referred funding opportunities to other organizations?
Katie:
Yes, regularly.
When I first started in this role, we were offered funding for a new service that only partially aligned with our mission. After careful evaluation, I recommended another agency that was better suited to lead that work.
Collaboration is strong in Howard County. We understand that none of us can do this alone. When resources are limited, partnership multiplies impact.
Q: What excites you most as you look ahead?
Katie:
Every day is exciting because I get to see people living the lives they want.
This year is especially meaningful because we are celebrating our 65th anniversary. We are hosting a new event called Chocolate and Cheers on May 9 at the Laurel Jockey Club.
It will feature chocolate tastings, cocktails, dancing, live music, and the Celebration of Excellence Awards honoring individuals who have made a difference in the disability community.
After 65 years, we are still moving forward, still advocating, and still building stronger community inclusion.
