Contact Information

310 Old Freeland Road
Maryland Line, Maryland 21105
Telephone: (410)343-1069
Toll Free: 1-888-273-4507
TTY: 1-800-735-2258
FAX: (410)343-1770
E-mail:
Web Address: http://www.penn-mar.org

Other Office Locations:
10671 Susquehanna Trail
Glen Rock, PA 17327
Telephone: (717)235-8068

Services Offered

Residential Services, Family Support Services, Individual Support Services, Vocational Day Program/Sheltered Workshop, Day Rehabilitation Program, Supported Employment, Community Supported Living Arrangements, Transportation.

Individuals Have the Following Types of Disabilities:
Mental Retardation, Autism, Orthepedic Impairment, Specific Learning Disability, Speech/Language Impairment, Cerebral Palsy, Behavioral Problems, Deafness/Severe Hearing Impairment, Epilepsy/Seizure Disorder, Head Injury, other neurological Impairments, and other undetermined disabilities.

Number of Individuals Currently Being Served: 300

Ages Served: Typically 21 and older

Home Region of DDA: Central

Counties Served: Baltimore County, Carroll County

Year Established: 1988

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Mission Statement

The mission of Penn-Mar Organization, Inc. is to provide support services in its communities, which promote value, independence and self-determination, to families and individuals with disabilities or human service needs.

Unique or Distinctive Qualities:

Penn Mar has grown dramatically in numbers of individuals served, families supported, and creative service options. Residential supports are available seven days a week, 24 hours a day; vocational and support services are based upon community need and participant availability. Additional guidance for families in estate planning and financial trusts is available upon request and respite services are available on an individually arranged basis. Penn Mar encourages consumers to become active members of their communities, to participate in recreational and social events, and to utilize local resources. Penn Mar has developed an array of residential models including even one- and two-person living situations based on consumer needs and preferences. Penn Mar will assist in developing supports in traditional models if desired, or creative new solutions self-determined by the consumer and his or her family. In recognizing the needs associated with an individual's increasing age, Penn-Mar is working on the development of special programs to target this population.

Discuss How Your Agency Has Utilized The "Ask Me!" Survey Results.

Upon receiving the "Ask Me!" results, the Maryland Program Director and the Quality Assurance Coordinator evaluated what the results, the results meant for Penn-Mar. This information was diseminated amongst all levels of management, from front line supervisors to the Board of Directors. Penn-Mar was very pleased to present this information given how well it continues to do. Penn-Mar has had two surveys to date, fiscal year 2002 and fiscal year 2005. After the first survey, Penn-Mar made stratgic changes and implemented new goals through the Quality Assurance plan to do even better in the latest survey that was completed. In the area of physical well-being, Penn-Mar continues to achieve very high marks. One reason for this, is the addition of the nursing staff at Penn-Mar. Penn-Mar believes that this has contributed to its success in personal development. AS always, Penn-Mar strives to implement new programmatic changes to continue to provide the level of quality that the individuals it serves have become accustomed too. Penn-Mar will continue to implement the data from the "Ask Me!" survey to improve its services, espercially given the information gathered comes directly from the individuals that receive services from Penn-Mar.

The "Ask Me!" Survey Results is available for the general public.

Describe your quality assurance practices, including any agency accreditations.

There are several methods that Penn-Mar utilizes to ensure that quality is maintained throughout all of its programs. In its residential program, it does this through site visits to each house every month. This is done by both the Program Manager of the home as well as the Quality Assurance Coordinator. In addition to the site visits, each residential site completes and submits safety checklists to the program manager on a monthly basis. Any safety issues are followed up with by the Program managers. Penn-Mar has been utilizing the "Quality Enhancement Review System" as the Utilization Review process to assure consumer satisfaction by direct interviews with consumers and team members as well as observations and record reviews. This process includes all individuals served at Penn-Mar. The training for its direct care staff has also been further developed to include additional information in each core trainings. Penn-Mar offers trainings quarterly on fundamental rights and each direct care staff goes through 80 hours of core trainingf in their first 90 days at Penn-Mar. The development of the Quality Assurance Plan, along with continued assessment and improvements, is completed with the input of the individuals it serves, community and family members, direct care and management staff. The Chief Operating Officer and Program Directors were responsible for the initial development of the plan. The Program director along with the Quality Assurance Coordinator is responsible for the annual report and revision.Penn-Mar currently has an eight member Quality Assurance team that meets on a monthly basis. The team reviews all new behavior programs, incident reports, restrictions and Quality Assurance Plan during these months.

How Does Your Agency Support People In Becoming Active Members Of Their Community?

Individuals at Penn-Mar are encouraged and assisted in becoming active members of their communities. From volunteering at local Fire Departments, working at independent placements in the community and participating in local religious affiliations, individuals at Penn-Mar are integrated in their neighborhoods. Penn-Mar supports individuals' decisions to vote, obtain memberships through local organizations such as YMCA and to participate in a variety ofactivities and events. Its residential homes are primarily located in Northern Baltimore County and are convenient to local shopping, rstaurants, and entertainment. Some individuals also choose to volunteer at local animal shelters, fundraising events and nusing homes. Individuals are afforded these opportunities through pre-arranged transportation and staffing supports.

Steps Individuals Must Take To Aplly for Services:

Individuals need to first go through the application process with the Developmental Disabilities Administration prior to contacting Penn-Mar. Once they are determined eligible for services through DDA, they should contact Penn-Mar's Admission Coordinator to schedule a tour and obtain additional information

Special Considerations/Comments: Individuals must be at least 18 years old upon admission to Penn-Mar

Funding sources: State of Maryland, Industrial Contracts, community support, consumer fees, and private pay

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