Benedictine announces expansion of both its adult services and school programs. This growth provides greater access to necessary support across the Eastern Shore. Benedictine is a non-sectarian nonprofit service provider supporting children and adults living with intellectual and developmental disabilities so they can achieve their greatest potential. They serve more than 200 adults and children from throughout the state of Maryland and the mid-Atlantic region and employ more than 400 staff.
“Expanding the mission is the most important reason for us to grow, and we’re excited and grateful that we can help more children and adults living with intellectual and developmental disabilities right here on the Shore. It is our home. We’ve dedicated the last 67 years to becoming the Shore’s trusted organization for supporting intellectually and developmentally disabled children and adults,” said Executive Director Scott Evans. “The growth we’re experiencing is largely due to the expertise our dedicated staff displays as they support our kids and adults.”
Benedictine Adult Services is now supporting four group homes across Kent County. The four homes house nine adults and are staffed by 30 new employees. They are also welcoming new adults to their Meaningful Day program. “We are happy to welcome new adults and staff into the Benedictine family. And we’re excited to become part of the community in Kent County,” said Travis Goldman, VP of Adult Services at Benedictine. He continued “Our experience and expertise supporting adults living with intellectual and developmental disabilities come through during this transition. I’m proud of how our team handled this situation capably and efficiently.”
The Benedictine School is also exploring expanding into Wicomico County. Benedictine began exploring the possibility of expansion into the lower shore in 2024 after public and private entities familiar with the area identified gaps in services for the area. Benedictine has long been the only non-public school on the shore; but given the expansive area, even Benedictine’s main campus in Ridgely can be geographically prohibitive for the full shore. Opening a satellite day school program on the lower shore helps to address that issue.
Shyam Bhayani, Interim Chief Administrator at Maple Shade, is happy about the possibility of Benedictine expanding to the lower shore, “Maple Shade Youth & Family Services is proud to welcome Benedictine’s mission into Wicomico and the surrounding counties. Our ongoing collaboration demonstrates a community-centered approach to increasing service capacity for underserved populations while ensuring care remains accessible, coordinated, and responsive to local needs. We look forward to deepening this partnership and advancing sustainable, high-quality youth services.”
Benedictine VP of Child Services, Julie Hickey, adds “Benedictine provides highly qualified special education teachers, related service providers, behavioral supports, and paraprofessionals to meet the complex needs of our students. I am thrilled to be able to extend that expertise and compassion to even more of the Eastern Shore and help to meet the needs of the growing region.” The Children’s Services Program is also expanding with a new residential wing on the main Ridgely campus, which will allow for additional children to be served residentially.
For more information about Benedictine and its services please contact Chief Advancement Officer, Caroline Bauerle at caroline.bauerle@benschool.org or 410-634-2292 or see their website here.
About Benedictine:
Benedictine is a non-sectarian nonprofit service provider whose mission is to support children and adults living with intellectual and developmental disabilities so they can achieve their greatest potential. Benedictine currently supports over 200 children and adults.
The year-round educational program is one of only 22 nationwide to earn a four-year accreditation from the National Commission for Accreditation of Special Education Services (NCASES). This program includes home-like living and learning options on the Ridgely, Maryland campus, for children ages 5 to 21