Frederick Community College (FCC) and The Arc of Frederick County are partnering to offer a free event for local businesses to help promote inclusion of individuals with developmental disabilities in the workplace.  

The Frederick County Employment Summit will be held on Friday, October 7 from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at FCC. It is designed specifically for Frederick County business owners and managers. 

“Frederick Community College is proud to partner with The Arc of Frederick County to provide education on creating more inclusive workplaces,” said Dr. Annesa Payne Cheek, FCC President. “Individuals with developmental disabilities add so much to our workplaces, and we hope many local businesses will join us next month to hear about the benefits of a more inclusive Frederick County workforce.”  

The summit will provide attendees with the opportunity to network with area service providers and local businesses, learn about models of successful inclusion in the workplace, understand how to employ and support individuals with developmental disabilities, connect with local resources that support individuals with developmental disabilities, and more. 

The event will include: 

• Remarks from Dr. Annesa Payne Cheek, FCC President; and Rick Weldon, President and CEO of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce 
• Breakout sessions to explore models of employment by businesses who are successfully employing community members with developmental disabilities 
• Panel discussion with successful employees who are individuals with developmental disabilities  

A light breakfast and desserts will also be provided. 

The event is free but registration is required. To register, visit the Frederick County Employment Summit Eventbrite Page. If you have questions, contact Heather Hinkle at [email protected] or 301-846-2427.

The Frederick County Employment Summit is a partnership of Frederick Community College, supporting education for individuals with developmental disabilities through the Thrive program, and The Arc of Frederick County, a local organization helping people with developmental disabilities to live enviable lives.