Penn Mar Human Services News

Penn-Mar News

Please check back often to view all of Penn-Mar’s latest news and event information.

Featured Penn-Mar News

DSP Week Formally Recognizes Our Direct Support Workforce 

Posted on August 28, 2025

DSPs are team members we value and appreciate year-round. From September 7–13, the nation will be observing Direct Support Professional Recognition Week.  When launching this special designation, the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) emphasized that “Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are at the…

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More Penn-Mar News

Retiree Doris Lowe Sends SMILES to All Her Friends at Penn-Mar

Posted on June 13, 2025

“The organization’s values were as important to me as their mission.” Doris Lowe admits there’s a lot to miss since retiring this past April after 27 years as an administrative assistant at Penn-Mar. She loved her time at Penn-Mar, not only because of the organization’s…

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Residents Cheer on Jessica Patchel as She Receives Her College Diploma

Posted on June 12, 2025

A self-described “surreal” journey since applying to Penn-Mar “on a whim.” To say 2024 was a “trifecta year” for Jessica Patchel is an understatement. The Penn-Mar North Day Program Manager graduated from college, turned 30, and got married. “It was a very chaotic, hectic year,…

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DSP Megan McLaren Enjoys the Busy, Diverse Pace of Penn-Mar’s Day Program

Posted on June 5, 2025

She wishes everyone could “know what we know” about people with disabilities. With her helpful nature and love of animals, people were always telling Megan McLaren that she should pursue a career in education or veterinary medicine. Three years ago, while working in retail management,…

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Jen Skelly Graduates from ANCOR Foundation Leadership Academy

Posted on May 22, 2025

When Jen Skelly was debating whether to enhance her credentials with a general studies master’s degree or focus on a curriculum that would benefit her work at Penn-Mar as Director of PA Operations, she chose the latter. That decision led to a two-year journey with…

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Penn-Mar Resident Rocks Out at Judas Priestess Concert

Posted on May 22, 2025

DSPs show creativity and commitment to providing person-centered experiences. Penn-Mar is known for its innovative, person-centered approach that helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities live courageous, independent lives. To that end, Michal Edmondson, a Residential Supervisor at a Penn-Mar home in White Hall, Maryland,…

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Customized Employment Program Helps HMS Streamline Plant Operations

Posted on May 16, 2025

Gabby has discovered her true calling and is thriving and excelling in her career. In June, Gabby will be celebrating her 4th anniversary working for the Hardware Meets Software™ (HMS) Plant in Manchester, PA. The industrial automation company helps customers run their businesses with components…

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Ray Almsteadt: Team Member Spotlight

Posted on May 14, 2025

Each month, we highlight a “behind-the-scenes” team member whose work supports our mission, but whose face you might not often see on our social media pages.  We’re excited to help you get to know our innovative team and the complex work we do.  So, tune…

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Penn-Mar Human Services Receives $25,000 Grant From Aegon Transamerica Foundation

Posted on May 2, 2025

– Funds Will Be Used to Equip 30 Residential Homes with Smart Home Technology – May 2, 2025 Baltimore – Penn-Mar Human Services, the region’s leading provider of services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), is delighted to share that the organization has…

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Fashion Forward: Jemicy School Designers Showcase Inclusive Styles for Penn-Mar Models

Posted on April 29, 2025

Trending at the 3rd Annual Inclusive Fashion Show held April 11th at The Jemicy School in Owings Mills, MD were soft fabrics with a “loungewear-esq” vibe, according to Tina Chan Sweenie, Associate Director of Development at Penn-Mar Human Services and one of the program’s organizers….

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“Nothing About Us Without Us”: Why the Wagoner Family Advocated to Save LISS Funding

Posted on April 28, 2025

11th hour negotiations and intense advocacy saved program from total cuts Janet Wagoner was relieved to hear the Low Intensity Support Services (LISS) Program, which was at risk of being eliminated entirely, was spared in the eleventh hour in the FY 2026 budget for the…

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