Awards and Recognition

We at SEEC are proud of our history of supporting people with developmental disabilities as they pursue their interests in the community. We take pride in our commitment to meet the unique needs, desires, and aspirations of each individual we serve. At SEEC, we create person-centered supports based on the individual’s needs and desires, rather than fitting an individual into a prescribed program. Our goal is to support individuals with developmental disabilities as they pursue their version of The American Dream: a home of their choosing, gratifying employment, enjoyable leisure activities, and lasting, positive relationships.
 
In the fall of 2004, SEEC was recognized by CARF, a nationally renown accrediting organization, with a prestigious 3-year accreditation recognizing SEEC for providing consumer-driven programs and services of the highest quality. Below is a timeline of some of our other most notable accomplishments:

1995
Created Values in Action Program (VIA), the only licensed Medical Day Care program in Maryland dedicated to providing community-based recreation activities and therapeutic services to adults with developmental disabilities.

1997
SEEC received the “Innovative Agency of the Year” Award from the Maryland Association of Community Services for People with Developmental Disabilities (MACS).

1999
SEEC’s executive director, Karen Lee, received the “Leadership Award” from the Maryland Chapter of the American Association on Mental Retardation (AAMR).

2000
SEEC was awarded a $1.1 million grant from the State of Maryland to purchase its headquarters building in Silver Spring, Maryland.

2003
SEEC’s Board of Directors approved a comprehensive agency-wide three-year strategic plan to ensure programs and services are driven by the interests, desires, and needs of our consumers at an exceptional level of excellence.

2003 & 2004
Two SEEC employers (Silver Diner and Sniders Super Market) received the “Disability Hiring” award from the Montgomery County Workforce Investment Board at SEEC’s nomination.

2004         
SEEC received a prestigious 3-year accreditation from CARF recognizing excellence in program services. Two of SEEC’s departments, Community Living and Information and Technology received a rare “commendation” status for extraordinary quality.

2005
SEEC was named the lead agency for Project Income, an innovative program to help individuals with developmental disabilities realize their own ideal conditions of employment or business ownership.

SEEC received notification that it was awarded a three-year grant to undertake a statewide initiative: Transportation Training for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities and Transit Providers. The initiative seeks to increase this population’s ridership on public transportation systems, giving them more flexibility in pursuing their daily activities, and reducing reliance on more costly and less dependable paratransit systems.