Organizational Background

SEEC was founded as a nonprofit agency in 1987 by a small group of motivated families to provide employment support services to adults with severe developmental disabilities who wanted to work in our community. Initially named Supported Employment Enterprise Corporation, the agency changed its name to SEEC to better reflect the diversity of our programs that now include Community Living, Values in Action (our medical recreational day program), and Family Support Services. SEEC has grown from serving just four individuals to supporting more than 150 adults with developmental disabilities. An on-going grant from the Maryland Developmental Disability Administration, and donations from The United Way have made it possible for SEEC to provide financial aid and information referral to 300 children and their families since 1999.

Awards and Recognition

SEEC has a proud of history of supporting people with developmental disabilities in innovative ways. 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 the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (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.

2008

SEEC receives Independent Charities of America "Best in America" seal. The Independent Charities Seal of Excellence is awarded to the members of Independent Charities of America and Local Independent Charities of America that have, upon rigorous independent review, been able to certify, document, and demonstrate on an annual basis that they meet the highest standards of public accountability, program effectiveness, and cost effectiveness. These standards include those required by the US Government for inclusion in the Combined Federal Campaign, probably the most exclusive fund drive in the world. Of the 1,000,000 charities operating in the United States today, it is estimated that fewer than 50,000, or 5 percent, meet or exceed these standards, and, of those, fewer than 2,000 have been awarded this Seal.