About Us
Retirement of Long Time President/CEO C. Michael Hardesty
Flying Colors of Success, Inc. announces the Retirement of Long Time President /
CEO C. Michael Hardesty, effective October 30, 2026.
Mike started working as a camp counselor at ARC Carroll’s summer camp during his years as an undergrad at Western Maryland College. After graduation he began his 43-year career as a ceramics and woodworking instructor for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He continued his studies in pottery and ceramics at Columbia Visual Arts College and eventually went back to Western Maryland College (now McDaniel) to earn a Master of Science Degree in Special Education and Human Service Management.
During his 33+ years as CEO of Flying Colors, he was proud to participate in the downsizing and closure of State Institutions, as well as the development of accessible housing in Carroll County. As a fiscal conservative, Mike was extremely proud when Flying Colors became completely debt free in 2025. Mike has always been a strong advocate for Direct Support Professionals and has worked tirelessly to increase DSP wages.
Mike will be going back to teaching ceramics (part-time) in the WBEC Program at Carroll Community College and will continue to share his passion and advocacy for citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities in retirement!
The Board of Directors will be announcing Mike’s successor in the near future.
What is Flying Colors of Success, Inc.?
Flying Colors of Success, Inc. (FCS, Inc.) is a Westminster based organization that provides traditional residential (“group home”) and individualized day supports (“Community Development Services & Personal Supports”) in Carroll County Maryland. Founded through a special project with the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration and the Kennedy-Krieger Institute, our agency has been successfully supporting people with developmental & intellectual disabilities, in their own communities, since we were spun-off from Kennedy-Krieger on March 26, 1991. We operate 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.
We are a private non-profit, tax-exempt organization under IRS code 501(c)(3). FCS, Inc. serves adults with developmental & intellectual disabilities, including but not limited to: Autism Spectrum Disorders, Cerebral Palsy, and Down Syndrome. A volunteer board of directors consisting of local community leaders and consumers governs our organization.
FCS, Inc. is proud to be a leader in working with individuals with behavioral challenges. FCS works with consulting psychologists, nurses, therapists, and social workers. We employ an administrative and direct care staff who are educated, trained, and experienced in working with individuals with behavioral challenges and special needs.
Our consulting nurses make home visits to our residents / individuals served on a regular basis. Our nurses review and advise FCS, Inc. on all medical issues and help to assure quality medical care.
All staff employed by FCS, Inc. receive training including, but not limited to: CPR, First Aid, Seizures, Universal Precautions, Characteristics of Individuals with Developmental Disabilities, Fundamental Rights of Individuals with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities, MANDT, Aging and Needs of the Elderly, Communication, Community Integration, and the Individual Plan and Supporting Families.
Service Overview:
FCS, Inc. owns and operates a number of single-family homes in the greater Carroll County area. Each home is licensed to support 3 or 4 individuals. These homes operate 365 days a year, with staff support geared to individual needs.
Additionally, FCS, Inc. offers 1 to 1 day supports in our community-based day program (Community Learning Services). These day supports are geared to meet the special needs of individuals who want or need supports outside of traditional facility-based programs. We also provide “Personal Supports” to individuals and families who may need extra support in their own homes.
All of our programs are individualized and are geared to assist our consumers in achieving and maintaining their maximum level of independence at home and in their community.
For more information about FCS, Inc., please feel free to call or email us!
There are 3 residential openings available.
Holiday Schedule and Office closed:
New Years Day
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
President’s Day
Easter Day
Memorial Day
July 4th Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
Black Friday
Christmas Day
(The office will be closed Friday if holiday falls on Saturday or closed on Monday if holiday falls on Sunday)