The Arc Of Frederick County history

1959 - Harmony Grove School (now known as Rock Creek School) opened its doors to twenty- four children as the first "special" school

1965 - Funded jointly by The Arc and county government, Jeanne Bussard Workshop opens its doors with six people.

1966 - The Arc obtains funding from the State Mental Health Department to augment its own funds for opening of Scott Key Developmental Center.

1972 - The Arc obtains funding from the State to plan for residential services.

1975 - The Arc opens first residential home for eight men and women at 127 East Patrick St

1976 - The Arc opens second group home at 301 South Market Street.

1979 - The Arc spins off its residential programs which are renamed Community Living.

1981 - The Arc is awarded the contract to provide service coordination for Central and Western Maryland.

1982 - The Arc is awarded a demonstration grant by Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council to provide services to children to prevent their going into institutions.

1984 - The Arc develops an evaluation tool to be used by people with developmental disabilities to assess their day program services.

1985 - The Arc helps Frederick County Public Schools purchase "Kids on the Block" to help with inclusion.

1986 - The Arc is awarded a contract to provide service coordination services to individuals on the state’s Developmental Disabilities Administration Waiting List in Central and Western Maryland.

1987 - The Arc starts a support group for adults with developmental disabilities.

1991 - The Arc starts a support group for couples with developmental disabilities.

1996 - The Arc and Community Living move into a joint building, partially funded from capital grant from the State of Maryland.

1997 - The Arc, in partnership with the state government, is awarded a national grant for self-determination, a project designed to provide people with more choices and greater control over the services they receive.

1999 - Frederick County Government awards The Arc funding to help students and their families plan for their transition from Special Education to adult services

2000 - The Developmental Disabilities Administration gives approval for The Arc to provide fiscal intermediary services through an innovative service plan.

2002 - The Arc of Frederick County is awarded a contract to provide Service Coordination through the Autism Waiver in Frederick County.

2003 - The Arc partners with The Arc of Maryland to form "Wallbusters," a peer mentoring group.

2004 - Transitioning Youth Forum members create transition portfolio for students ages 14-21.

2006 - The Arc of Frederick County spins off its Service Coordination division to form a separate nonprofit now known as Service Coordination, Inc.

2007 - The Arc of Frederick County, in partnership with the Frederick County Public Schools SUCCESS Program, initiates employment services for individuals with developmental disabilities who are transitioning from high school.

2008 - The Arc of Frederick County celebrates 50 years of service to the Frederick community.

2009 - The Arc of Frederick County expands services to Spanish speaking families in Frederick County; Hispanic Support Group is established.

2010 - The Arc of Frederick County is awarded a grant from the Walmart Foundation School-to-Community Transition project to expand LEAP at FCC and other educational opportunities on the college campus.

2011 - The Arc becomes a vendor of self-directed employment services through the Division of Rehabilitative Services (DORS). Through this model, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities hire their own skills educators to assist with enhancing their employment skills.

2013 - The Arc purchases 555 South Market Street with a vision to bring community together to serve people with severe disabilities, offer creative job training to prepare people for community employment, and to host social and cultural events that expand connections for people in Frederick County.