PERSONAL SUPPORTS & Respite Care SERVICES IN ANNE ARUNDEL & CARROLL COUNTIES, MD

Our One-On-One Services Develop Independent Living Skills

Contact Our Personal Supports Team

What Are Personal Supports Services?

At Bello Machre, we provide support services for children, adults, and seniors with intellectual and developmental disabilities including cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, neurological disorders, traumatic brain injuries, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Rett Syndrome, epilepsy and/or seizure disorder, Muscular Dystrophy, and William’s Syndrome.

Our Personal Supports services help give you or your loved one with special needs access to the community to attend meaningful activities of their choosing in a one-on-one environment. These services can also be used in-home with the intent of focusing on life skills coaching. Individuals can work on developing independent living skills, higher educational goals, or personal projects.

For Personal Supports, we pair your loved one with a one-on-one staff member to help them achieve their goals. Schedules are determined on a case-by-case basis.

Community Activities

Personal Supports is a community-based service. Our one-on-one support staff will work with the individuals we support to find events and activities that support their Person-Centered Plan and match their interests!

Activities may include:

  • Going to the movies
  • Visiting museums
  • Working on fitness goals
  • Taking classes in the community
  • Bowling
  • Building social networks
  • Volunteering
  • And more!

In-Home Assistance & Life Skills Coaching

Our Personal Supports Services focus on the needs and wants of the individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities that we support. While many individuals have community-based goals, we also welcome opportunities to support individuals with the development of independent living skills in the home. In-home skill-building activities include:

  • Doing laundry
  • Cleaning around the house
  • Cooking & meal prep
  • Doing the dishes
  • And more!
Play

“We’ve watched her grow in so many different ways.

We see it so clearly through her independence, trust, and her speech, because of the way that she’s treated – she’s spoken to like an adult because she IS an adult.”
Karen
A Bello Machre Mom

Respite Care Program

Respite Care is an add-on service to Personal Supports that provides planned or emergency relief for primary caregivers. We can arrange for community-based or in-home care for an extended period of time, up to 21 days.

Contact our Personal Supports Team

80,000 – The number of Personal Supports Services hours we provided last year.

1,154 – The number of Respite Care Services hours we provided last year.

Personal Supports Services FAQs

Personal Supports is Bello Machre’s Community Services program designed to connect you or your loved one with a dedicated staff member who will assist in reaching their goals! This means that your loved one will get the personalized care and support they need to thrive and flourish in their daily life.

Activities include attending movies, touring museums, taking classes out in the community, bowling, nature walks in the park, and much more!

Personal Supports is available whenever the individual in the program is awake. Typically, this will take place during the day for two reasons:

  • Afternoon and evening hours often interfere with sleep schedules of the individual in the program
  • At Bello Machre, there are more staff members on hand during the day

For transportation, staff utilize either their own vehicle or a company vehicle to pick up the individual from their location and drop them off afterward, as long as it falls within the service boundaries.

When your loved one joins their one-on-one staff member for a community-based activity, like going to the movies, visiting a museum, or going bowling, they pay admission fees for both themselves AND their staff member. They each cover additional purchases themselves.

If your loved one or a family member requests that Bello Machre provide medication during scheduled hours of service, it must be approved for nursing support services through Developmental Disability Administration (DDA). Bello Machre partners with Dimensional Healthcare Agency to provide delegated nursing services.

Your Personal Supports Team

Danielle Ierardi

Community Services Director
(Anne Arundel County)

Danielle Ierardi has been involved in the field of supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities for over 10 years and has been with Bello Machre for two years. Danielle oversees the Support Services and Meaningful Day Program for
Anne Arundel County.

Kara Welsh

Personal Supports Program Director
(Anne Arundel County)

Kara Welsh has been professionally engaged in the success of individuals with disabilities for over 15 years.  She has been a part of the Community Services team at Bello Machre since 2021. Kara dedicates her work to the individuals she serves and their families. She supervises a talented and caring staff who help our individuals live their best lives.

Tabitha Rankins

Personal Supports Program Director
(Anne Arundel County)

Tabitha Rankins started supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in her senior year of high school and developed a passion for the profession. She has been in the profession for over 20 years. In, 2023, Tabitha joined the Bello Machre Community Services team. Tabitha supervises a group of phenomenal, caring, passionate staff who help individuals live their best lives and support their families. 

Christopher Engler

Personal Supports Program Director
(Anne Arundel County)

Chris Engler has been with Bello Machre’s Community Services team since May of 2023, and a part of the Human Services field for over 10 years.  With a rich background in Day, Residential and Employment programs, he has been able to develop a deep understanding of the diverse needs of the community.  His experiences have allowed him to excel at providing tailored support, encouraging growth, and increasing independence in those he serves.

Todd Bonney

Community Services Director
(Carroll County)

Todd Bonney has been working with people with disabilities since 2006 and has been with Bello Machre for over five years. Todd oversees the development and operations of the Support Services and Meaningful Day programs in Carroll County.

Patty Honeycutt

Personal Supports Program Director
(Carroll County)

Patty Honeycutt comes to the table with 12 years of experience in childhood education. Since joining Bello Machre almost five years ago, Patty has found her passion in supporting individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. The smiles on the faces of those she’s helped continues to fuel her passion for enriching lives at Bello Machre.

We’re Here To Help

Contact us to learn more about our Personal Supports Services.

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Interested in Community-based group day programs?

Our Meaningful Day Services offer access to group day programs, community involvement and employment services to promote your loved one’s personal and professional growth.

Learn About Our Community Day Program

Learn About the Impact We Make in The Lives of Individuals with Developmental Disabilities