For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

A History of The Arc Baton Rouge

1950's

In the years before The Arc, there were no programs or services available to people with disabilities in our community Children with severe disabilities were most often placed in institutions.

In 1952 the mother of a child with disabilities wrote to the editor of her local paper. She expressed her concern over the lack of adequate services for her child and appealed to other parents. Other parents responded and joined together to form the Society for the Education of Exceptional Children. Through their efforts, the first class for children with developmental disabilities began through the East Baton Rouge School Board.

As the needs expanded, the society began a formal organization and began The Baton Rouge Association for Retarded Children. The name was later changed to The Baton Rouge Association for Retarded Citizens.

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1960's

As the first group of children grew, services grew with them. Monte Sano School provided classes for children. In 1962 the Baton Rouge Sheltered Workshop for the Mentally Retarded open in the cafeteria at Monte Sano School. The workshop provided work and rehabilitation services for people with developmental disabilities.

In 1963, the Activity Training Center for adults provided interaction and companionship for adults with disabilities. Volunteers provided supervision and taught classes in art, self-care, sewing and character building. Two years later the offices and ATC moved into a facility on Wayne Drive. At this same time The Early Intervention Program began.

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1970's

In 1971, the association joined the United Giver's Fund (now the United Way). The Baton Rouge Sheltered Workshop moved in it's new facility on Prescott Road. A year later the Special Education and Retarded Children's Hope (SEARCH) Center opened it's new building next door.

In 1974, the national organization changed its name to the National Association for Retarded Citizens. The local organization followed and became the Baton Rouge Association for Retarded Citizens. This recognized the need to serve people with disabilities of all ages.

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1980's

In 1984, Baton Rouge Respite opened on Tunica Street. The program is place of care for people with developmental disabilities when the caregiver is away or needs a break.

In 1984, the Early Intervention Program relocated in the former SEARCH building on Prescott Road. The program provided center-based intervention services for infants and young children. The program later expanded to include home-based services, following the trend to provide assistance in the least restrictive environment.

Programs and community activities of The Arc Baton Rouge continued to grow and expand. Metro Enterprises opened it's second location on Dallas Drive and Baton Rouge Vocational Services began providing services in it's new building on Wooddale Blvd. Service expanded to include job coaching and placement. The Administrative offices were relocated to Kelwood Avenue.

1990's

In 1990 the Baton Rouge Sheltered Workshop merged with The Arc Baton Rouge to become Metro Enterprises.

In 1994, the Louisiana Career Development Center (LCDC) began. In 1999 LCDC moved to it's new location on Convention Street. The new location provided office and classroom space, as well as a mock apartment for independent living training.

In 1997 The Arc Day School opened as an inclusive childcare facility.