| 1950's |
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In May 1956, the organization was established
with the charter of the Broward Training Center Foundation, Inc. The
25 founding parents' goal was to establish a school for their children because
mandatory public education did not then exist. |
|
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In October, 1956, the Pre School was
established with one teacher, provided by the School Board, in a rent-free
storefront located on Las Olas Boulevard and four children enrolled. |
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By March, 1957, there were 15 students. |
| 1960's |
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In 1961, the pre-school moved into a donated
building on Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and served 35 children.
|
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In 1962, a pilot "adult day sheltered
workshop" was established with 3 adults. |
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In 1965, the school's name was changed to
Broward Association for Retarded Children. |
| 1970's |
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In the early 1970's, federal legislation
provided for the mandatory education of children with mental retardation.
ARC Broward grew rapidly to provide double sessions serving Ft. Lauderdale,
Hollywood and Pompano. |
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Gradually, elementary schools and exceptional
centers met the mandate for compulsory education for school aged children.
|
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This left the adult "sheltered workshop"
as the agency's sole program. |
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In 1976, the Excalibur Developmental
Center merged with the Broward Association for Retarded Children.
|
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In 1979, the organization formed a sister
corporation, BARC Housing Inc., and initiated the plans to develop its first
residential program. |
| 1980's |
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In 1981, BARC Housing Intermediate Care Facility
(ICF/DD) was constructed and opened. |
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In 1981, the sheltered workshop was reorganized
into a comprehensive Employment and Training Center. |
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In 1984, "Project Touch", parent
training program was established. |
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In 1986, ARC Broward initiated a major Capital
fundraising campaign to raise more than $6 million dollars for the development
of a state of the art centralized, regional center in west Broward County,
Florida. |
|
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In 1986, ARC Broward established a Corporate
Guardianship Program for 15 individuals with developmental disabilities.
|
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In 1987, ARC Broward opened its first
community-based group home, Lakes House, serving 8 young adults preparing
for independent living. |
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In 1988, the pre-school expanded to serve
infants birth to 3 years of age. |
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In 1989, the organization established a joint
"Genetic Research and Evaluation" project with the University of Miami.
|
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In 1989, the Supported Employment
Program was established. |
| 1990's |
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In 1991, the organization opened the ARC
Broward Regional Center in Sunrise, Florida. The administrative offices
and vocational program relocated from Ft. Lauderdale and the Children's program
relocated from Hallandale, Florida. |
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In November, 1991, the Supported Living
Program was established and assisted 2 women to reside in an apartment
in Hollywood, Florida. |
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Lakes House group home began transitioning
to become a group home for senior individuals with developmental
disabilities. |
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In 1992, the organization received its first
3-year national accreditation from CARF the Rehabilitation Accreditation
Commission in the Adult Services Program. |
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In December, 1992 Venice House, a
community based group home, opened serving six residents transitioning from
BARC Housing. |
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In 1994, the organization's name changed
to Achievement and Rehabilitation Centers Inc. to reflect more progressive
and diverse mission and goals. |
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In 1996, two additional community based group
homes opened, Riviera House and Capri House. |
|
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Supported Independent Living services were
expanded to serve 25 adults in 14 apartments scattered throughout Broward
County, Florida. |
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In 1997, the preschool developed a specialized
program for children with autism and diversified to provide integrated preschool
services for children without disabilities. |
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On June 16, 1997 the main campus in Sunrise,
Florida was struck by a tornado, sustaining severe damage. |
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In February, 1998 ARC Broward joined the
UT-TIE (University of Tennessee, Training ~ Inclusion ~ Employment)
Network, receiving one year of technical training and support to move
toward a team oriented management approach, enhanced community-based employment
and other community supports. |
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In April, 1998, another community based group
home, Aspen House opened serving four adults. |
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In October, 1998, the Alternative Behavioral
Learning Environment (ABLE) After-school program opened serving children
ages 6 through 18 also providing "wrap around" behavioral services in the
children's homes and schools. |
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In November, 1998, the Outpatient Mental
Health Program was established, providing individual, group and family
counseling services. |
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In March, 1999, the organization transitioned
its adult programs and services to a full "team" and "person-centered" structure.
|
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In September, 1999, community based group
home Santa Fe House opened serving 6 adult men. |
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In October, 1999, ARC Broward opened Club
House, its first group home for children, serving 6 boys ages 9 through
15. |
| 2000 |
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In March 2000 ARC Broward opened community
based group home, Carousel House as a transitional home for children
ages 6-10 with autism with a goal of reunifying children with their families
or moving into less restrictive environments. |
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In May, 2000, ARC Broward established its
Health Care Division providing speech, occupational and physical therapy
services to individuals receiving other ARC Broward services. |
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In June, 2000 the Therapeutic Intervention
Program (TIP) opened at ARC Broward as a unique "pilot" program providing
elementary school, after school, and trans-disciplinary therapeutic intervention
for children with autism. |
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Also in June, 2000, ARC Broward opened its
Behavioral Health Division encompassing Mental Health Services, Deaf and
Hard of Hearing Services, Community Based Behavioral Supports and Agency
Based Behavioral Supports. |
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In July, 2000, Pre-Vocational Adjustment
and Personal and Social Adjustment classes are offered separately to individuals
receiving behavioral supports in the adult day programs. |
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In October, 2000 ARC Broward established
a specialized day program for Older Adults to provide individuals
with retirement choices and options. |
|
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Also in October, 2000, ARC Broward established
a Community Participation Program to provide enhanced opportunities
for community inclusion and identification of occupational options. |
|
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In December, 2000, ARC Broward began to provide
its own courses in Applied Behavior Analysis, which are approved for Continuing
Education Units. |
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In December 2000, ARC Broward established
a Specialized Day Program, Individual Support Services, for individuals
who need 1:1 staff assistance to provide an intensive level of support for
individuals with significant behavioral and/or medical needs. |
| 2001 |
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In February, 2001 ARC Broward opened Malibu
House, a community based group home for young adults in Coral Springs.
|
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Also in February 2001, the ARC Broward Preschool
received national NAEYC accreditation. |
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In March, 2001 ARC Broward established its
Tuesday Bingo Nights at its main campus as an on-going fundraising and community
linkage effort. |
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Also in 2001, two local family advocacy
organizations relocate to the ARC Broward main campus; the Autism Society
of Broward and the Gold Coast Down Syndrome Organization. |
|
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In July, 2001, ARC Broward began to offer
specialized Respite Services for children with autism and related
behavioral challenges. |
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In October, 2001 ARC Broward established
the Parents as Teachers (PAT) program, the first time in the country
that this national best practices model is applied to children with special
needs. |
| 2002 |
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ARC Broward initiated its mission based
Electronics Recycling Services in collaboration with Broward County,
Florida and partner cities providing new employment and vocational training
opportunities as well as environmentally preferable options for end of life
computers and other electronics. |
|
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ARC Broward established Kamp Krayola for
children with behavioral challenges in response to changes in summer school/ESY
services. |
|
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ARC Broward establishes mission based Human
Services Training Solutions expanding its capacity to offer staff training
to individuals from other organizations throughout the State and Southeastern
United States. |
| 2003 |
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ARC Broward established its Youth Links
program, providing individualized advocacy services to targeted students
concerning self-determination and self- advocacy, among other things to help
them prepare to transition out of school. |
|
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ARC Broward's initiated Camp SMART,
a therapy based summer camp. |
|
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ARC Broward expanded its transportation services
to include an additional 100 adults attending its day programs. |
|
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ARC Broward reorganized its Adult services
into a Habilitation Services Division and the Workforce Division.
|
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The Adult Skills Development Center was
created as part of ARC Broward's vocational services. |
|
• |
Vehicle Washing Services were commenced
to provide job training and integrated work opportunities. |
| 2004 |
|
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School Board of Broward County Teaching staff
began to offer computer training and other skills development classes at
ARC Broward. |
|
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ARC Broward's Workforce Division initiated
the Calypso Grill, a short-term Food Service Training Program in a
state of the art full-scale commercial kitchen located in Sunrise, Florida.
|
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ARC Broward's Workforce Division initiated
Maintenance/Janitorial work opportunities to enhance employment options.
|
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ARC Broward received a three-year renewal
of its accreditation from CARF for its Community Services, Personal and Social
Services, Employment Services, and Outpatient Treatment (Mental Health) programs.
|
|
• |
ARC Broward expanded its Summer Camp services
to serve additional children in Kamp Krayola and Camp S.M.A.R.T.
|
| 2005 |
|
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ARC Broward established a specialized adult
day program, Life Skills, to provide an alternative day program for
individuals who were interested in skills training related to various activities
of daily living rather than paid employment opportunities. |
|
• |
Multiple hurricanes interrupted services
and caused significant damage to agency properties. |
| 2006 |
|
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The Assistive Technology Project
commenced providing children in our preschool, ABLE, and Outpatient
Rehabilitation programs with sophisticated technology that will allow them
to access information, knowledge and skills that they previously could not.
|
| 2007 |
|
• |
Youth Links program began providing
after school transition to work services for 16-21 year old students with
disabilities and was transferred to the Workforce Development Division.
|
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• |
Agency programs received 3-year renewal of
national CARF accreditation. |
| 2008 |
|
• |
The ARC Angels Annual Fund campaign
was initiated by the newly established ARC Angels Trustees. |
|
• |
Human Services Training Solutions (HSTS)
established key role in the State and National Direct Support Professional
Training movement. |
| 2009 |
|
• |
ARC Broward establishes "Building Generations"
program as Lead Agency for United Way Impact area focusing on Financial
Stability. |
