1950: Prior to this date, there were no training or educational facilities for children with mental retardation
1955 – 1963: Upper Shore Association for Retarded Children was formed by parents form Caroline, Dorchester, Talbot, Kent and Queen Anne Counties
1964: Special Education classes were taken over by the Board of Education
1966: Mr. Alton Jones donated $10,000 to start the Vocational School for the Retarded, Inc. (for adults)
1967: The Vocational School for the Retarded for 10 adults on Dover Road property was purchased by Mrs. Alton Jones
1974: Mrs. Alton Jones donated funds to build the Developmental Unit property and other property to be used as a future Endowment Fund for the Center
1974: Chesapeake Developmental Unit was incorporated and dedicated. Some funds received from the State of Maryland
1977: The Vocational School for the Retarded was renamed The Chesapeake Center, Inc.
1979: Chesapeake Bay Industries, Inc created as a self funded regional sheltered workshop
1980: Chesapeake Group Homes, Inc created with funds from State of Maryland, Developmental Disabilities Administration
1985 – 2003: Chesapeake Head Injury, Inc. operated to serve adults who sustained a traumatic head injury
1994: Individual Support Services grant to support adults in their own dwellings was received from DDA
1994: Chesapeake Adult Services formed to serve medical needs, billed to Medical Assistance
2002: 35th Anniversary Celebration
2004: Talbot County Chamber of Commerce – Non-Profit of the year Award
2005: National Industry for the Severely Handicapped Performance Excellence Award
2006: National Industry for Severely Handicapped Rehabilitation Specialist Award
2007: National Council of Work Centers Management Excellence Award
2007: Talbot County Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting to celebrate 40 years of assisting adults with disabilities to reach their full potential
2008: Talbot County NAACP Organizational Award
2009: Capital Improvements to 713 Dover Road facility; paved parking area, added brick entrances and landscaping
2010: United Fund recipient from 1975 to 2010
2011: Presenter at the Upper Shore Business and Manufacturing Council
2011-2012: Manufacturing milestone – our highest numbers to date:
• 38,525 unbranded crab mallets
• 15,864 mallets with a customized brand
• 523,804 cloths of various sizes sold to the Federal Government
2012: Talbot disAbility Coalition Award nominee, 45th anniversary Open House to launch new logo with in person Citations from Senator Colburn, Delegates Eckard, Haddaway-Riccio and Sossi & Easton Mayor Willey
2013: Presentation from Easton Lions Club, MEA Grant Award Winner, Increased licensed capacity to serve additional consumers in Day and Residential. Chesapeake Adult Services program closed.
2014: Presentation from Easton Lions Club, MEA Grant Award Winner
2015: National Award Winner - Performance Excellence
2016: Surpassed 2012 Manufacturing Milestones:
• 61,942 unbranded crab mallets
• 23,736 mallets with a customized brand
• 528,113 cloths of various sizes sold to the Federal Government
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