History of The Arc of Central Virginia

1962 Organized by Lynchburg Area Association for Retarded Children (LAARC)

1964 Camp Meadowlark (summer day camp) program began

1972 LAARC School for pre-school and school-aged children who where severely retarded and/or multi-handicapped was founded. Became a United Way Agency. Name changed to Lynchburg Area Association for Retarded Citizens to more accurately reflect the expanded scope of services.

1976 LAARC Adult Training Center was established

1977 Project Daniel (Infant Program) began. Project Daniel became a services of Central Virginia Community Services in 1980. The adaptive Aquatics program began.

1980 LAARC School absorbed by area public schools, becoming LAUREL Regional Special Education Program.

1981 Name Changed to Association for Retarded Citizens – Central Virginia to reflect more accurately the area served.

1982 Adult Training Center changed name to ARC – Central Virginia Developmental Center.

1986 Parent-to-Parent Program began.

1990 The Developmental Center’s focus changed from prevocational/vocational to day health and rehabilitation program funded by Medicaid monies.

1991 ARC – Central Virginia began providing Case Management services to Developmental Center clients.

1993 Name changed to The Arc of Central Virginia to reflect its services to people with mental retardation and developmental disabilities. Family Training and Support program began in December.

1994 Non-Facilities Based Day Support Services to individuals who reside in nursing homes offered through OBRA monies. Parent to Parent combined under Family Training and Support.

1995 Families’ Conference on Mental Retardation Services held at Lynchburg College in conjunction with Central Virginia Community Services and Lynchburg College.

1996 First non-center based program offered to ten women and men who reside at the Forest Hills Group Home after leaving institutional care at Central Virginia Training Center.

1997 Began the Campbell County community based program for ten women and men living in community settings throughout Central Virginia.

2000 Began the Saturday Program to provide additional support to participants and respite to parents. New services added: In-Home Support and Respite. The Educator/Advocate Program was added to increase individual’s access to community resources.

2001 Bedford Community-Based Day Support was added to serve individuals for Bedford County and City.

2002 The Davis Center expansion was completed.

2006 Activity Coordinator position was added. The Activity coordinator was hired to develop and coordinate new and innovative group activities for individuals attending The Arc.

2007 Sponsored Residential Program started. Sponsored Residential Services allow individuals to live in a family family while receiving programmatic supports.

2012 The Arc celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a year long program of events.