The Arc Maryland Board of Directors Announces New Executive Director

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Sept. 5, 2014 - PRLog -- The Arc Maryland is delighted to announce the appointment of their new Executive Director, Cristine Boswell Marchand. Cristy has over 30 years’ experience in disability rights and public policy at the state and local levels on behalf of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with over 20 years managing The Arc Maryland until her move to New Mexico in 2011.

Ms. Marchand’s many accomplishments include successfully developing numerous pieces of legislation passed by the Maryland General Assembly including: Comprehensive Interagency State Plan for Transitioning Youth with Disabilities and amendments to improve and strengthen planning for students with disabilities; Privacy Protections for Persons with Disabilities; Waiting List Equity Fund; Community Services Trust Fund; Community Supported Living Arrangements Services; Written Plan of Habilitation that helped lead to closure; and a series of legislation to strengthen quality oversight by the Office of Health Care Quality. She was a Next friend in institutionalized persons’ rights litigation that led to the closure of the Great Oaks State Residential Center.

She was awarded the National President’s Award from the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) in 2010.

“The Arc Maryland is a catalyst to drive creative and positive change to impact the lives of children and adults with disabilities and their families. I deeply appreciate the honor and opportunity to be part of that change and look forward to partnering with stakeholders and partners,” said Marchand.

Cristy’s passion and commitment for inclusive lives for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, family engagement in systems change, and self-advocacy leadership will be a wonderful benefit as she leads The Arc Maryland once again.

Most recently the Executive Director of Family Voices, a national organization dedicated to quality and family-centered heath care for children and youth with special health care needs and disabilities with 44 state affiliates and Family to Family Health Information Centers in every state, Cristy will begin her duties on October 1, 2014.

The Arc Maryland is a grassroots advocacy organization dedicated to creating a world where children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities have and enjoy equal rights and opportunities. For more information, please visit The Arc Maryland website at www.thearcmd.org.