History

The Arc of Clark County

Helping People Achieve a Lifetime of Success

March, 1936: Organized as Parent Group for the State School at Medical Lake, Washington. Three months later affiliated with the Children's Benevolent League of Washington.

1941: Chapter was inactive during World War II.

1942: Chapter began functioning again.

1951: Organized Ladies Auxiliary.

1952: Adopted name change to "Association for Retarded Children".

Late 1950's: Approved for funding by the Clark County United Good Neighbors and the Camas-Washougal Community Chest. Merged Clark County ARC. and the Clark County Coordinating Council for the Handicapped.

1963: Started publishing Chapter newsletter, "Frontier's". Started "Clark Care & Development Center," a day-care center which was later spun off as an independent organization. In later years, it became the "Children's Therapy Center".

1964: Opened an office staffed with a part-time secretary. Started "Camas-Washougal Progress Center," a day-care center for eastern Clark County.

1965: Started "ShoCraft", a sheltered workshop, as an independent organization, partially funded by the ARC for a number of years.

1966: Adopted name change to "Association for Retarded Citizens".

Late 1960's: Helped Clark Care & Development Center to start an Adult Developmental Program. This eventually became "Encore Industries".

1970: Hired part-time Executive Director.

Early 1970's: In cooperation with local Kiwanis Clubs, helped start Camp WA-RI-KI, a camp for Mentally Retarded & Handicapped persons, on the upper Washougal River.

1972: Hosted State Convention

1974: Received National CIVITAN Award for "Excellence in Programming Activities Benefiting the Mentally Retarded".

Mid 1970's: Started Down Syndrome Pilot Project which later evolved into "Pride School". ARC. Chapter became affiliated with Value Village for solicitation and pick-up of usable articles for repair and sale. ARC. receives a share of the proceeds.

1976: Hosted State Convention.

Late 1970's: Executive Director became full-time.

1977: Started Guardianship Program. ARC. Chapter was appointed by the Court to administer the affairs of the Ahner Hall Congregate Care facilities while the State was in the process of closing them down.

1980: Began Representative Payee Program for clients with developmental disabilities who could not handle their own Social Security and/or S.S.I. checks. Began handling finances for clients, a service which later became known as the Counseling & Finance Training Assistance program.

1981: Hosted State Convention.

1982: Began Tenant Support program. Began Alternative Living program.

1983: Moved into a building constructed with Referendum 37 Funds, sharing the building with Valley Work Activity Center. People First Chapter organized.

1987: Took over operation of S.W.I.R.L. Club (Southwest Washington Independent Recreation and Living). Began Independent Contracts with parents for individual skills training of adults with developmental disabilities who were living at home.

1988: Received contract for Community Integration program.

1989: Received $13,500 Grant form the Murdoch Foundation for purchase of new office furnishings. Hosted State Convention.

1990: Received gift of a $35,000 condominium in the Chautauqua Lodge complex at Long Beach, Washington. Received $243,500 Community Development Block Grant for the purchase and renovation of a building to house ARC offices and programs.

2000: The Parents Receiving Intensive Developmental Education for Kids begins serving parents of infants and toddlers with Early Intervention assessments and therapy.

For the history of The Arc of the United States, go to: http://thearc.org/misc/mileston.html