The Arc of the United States history

In 1952 the group became known as the St Louis Association for Retarded Children.

By 1953, they decided to take the necessary steps for becoming a local unit of the Iowa Association for Retarded Children.

1955 The Minnesota Association for Retarded Children incorporates in October to coordinate local, state, regional and national initiatives and provide leadership in government affairs.

1960 The Arc national convention celebrates the movement’s 10th anniversary in Minneapolis with the “Panorama of Progress.”

1963 President John F. Kennedy signs legislation providing $355 million for a federal and state mental health and mental retardation program.

1964 Parents succeed in establishing classes for students with disabilities in the Minneapolis Public Schools, eleven years before national legislation mandates special education services.

1977 Arc’s individual advocacy programs begin to provide information and support to people with disabilities and their families.

1979 Arc starts a nationwide public awareness campaign about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

1980 The TapeMark Charity Golf Tournament begins, benefiting Arc and other organizations that support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

1981 Arc sponsors its first consumer conference, called “I’d Like to Know More”.

1982 Arc’s Value Village Thrift Store opens in Richfield to provide funding for the Arc.

1984 Self-advocates organize a local chapter of People First, an international self-advocacy movement, with support from Arc.

In 1985, the St Louis Arc’s first community-based home opened, giving people another choice when it came to where and how they wanted to live.

1990 The Arc in Minnesota stops using the name “Association for Retarded Citizens” out of concern about the label “retarded.” The national Arc changes its name a year later.

1996 The Arc chapters metro-wide form a joint public policy committee to keep abreast of state legislative issues and establish a direct communications line to The Arc Minnesota.

1999 “What’s the Big IDEA?” educates parents on the complexities of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and on how to better advocate for their children with disabilities.

2000 The Arc emphasizes self-determination, hosting “Taking the Lead: Creating a Blueprint for the Future,” a day-long retreat made possible by a grant from the Minnesota Governor’s Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities.

2006 The Arc celebrates the organization’s 60th anniversary.

2008 Arc hosted the inaugural Arcademy Gala in February, 2008, generating more than $341,000 through sponsorships, ticket sales, live and silent auctions and a Fund-a-Need appeal focused on The Arc’s sibling programs.

Expanding Our Reach: The St Louis Arc’s Family Tree takes full shape, as the agency moves into its new Family Center in 2010.

2012 The Arc launched GetSet!™ for Work! to help young people with disabilities prepare to find meaningful work beyond high school.

2016 The Arc obtained a contract from the Minnesota Department of Human Services to form Regional Quality Councils to conduct quality reviews to improve the quality of services and supports for people with disabilities.

2018 On January 1, 2018, 7 chapters of The Arc across Minnesota merged as one organization to provide consistent and essential services to support more people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.