Career Support Systems, LLC Joins Chimes Family of Services

Chimes Expands Employment Support Services for People
with Disabilities through Acquisition of Career Support Systems, LLC

BALTIMORE, MD – Chimes, one of the mid-Atlantic’s leading and largest providers of services and support for people with disabilities and mental health challenges, recently announced the acquisition of Career Support Systems, LLC.

Supported employment for people with disabilities and barriers to independent employment is one of Chimes core service areas.  By adding CSS to the Chimes Family of Services, the organization will expand its geographic reach into central and northern Virginia. The agreement will also allow Chimes to expand the total number of people it serves in the area of employment services.

“We are thrilled to welcome the CSS team into the Chimes Family of Services,” said Steve DaRe, President and CEO of Chimes. “We know how meaningful a job opportunity and earning wages can be for the vulnerable segment of the population we support. Expanding our capabilities related to employment services for people with disabilities is important to us. We can’t wait to keep building on CSS’s 30+ year track record of success in Virginia and beyond.”

CSS was founded in 1993 by Joanne Ellis and Lance Elwood. Lance will now lead the work of CSS as a part of Chimes and Joanne has decided that the time is right for her to step back and enjoy retirement.

“Helping people with disabilities and other challenges explore and succeed in the world of work has been a tremendously meaningful mission for CSS,” said Joanne. “Both Lance and I feel strongly that Chimes is the perfect organization for CSS to join as we transition into a new phase for our company while keeping the focus on the people we support.”

Based in Baltimore, Chimes 3,500 team members serve more than 26,000 people throughout the region with disabilities and mental health challenges. In addition to employment services, Chimes operates a special education school and provides day programs and community living options for people with disabilities. The organization currently operates a day program and several community living homes in Fairfax County, VA.

Chimes also provides a wide array of mental health services, including crisis services and counseling as well as substance use disorder services and prevention programs.