AREA RESIDENTIAL CARE, INC.

AREA RESIDENTIAL CARE, INC. ARC was a private, nonprofit corporation established on August 18, 1968, to provide services to mentally handicapped people living in Dubuque, Jackson, Delaware, Clayton, and Jones counties. (1) Much of the credit for the beginning of the organization has been given to Ann Ginder who approached Reverend Thomas RHOMBERG with the idea of a residential place able to care for the children for life. Rev. Rhomberg, director of CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF DUBUQUE began the process of convincing the Catholic Charities board. (2)

Based on the belief that the handicapped have the right to live a life as close to normal as possible, ARC services provide work training, alternative interest day programs, sheltered workshops, dormitory treatment center, group homes in Dubuque, and supervised apartment living. Among the support programs offered are behavior modification, speech, music and recreational therapy, occupational, social work, and nursing. (3)

Wayne Nielsen, the first director, left after two years, and Edward Skarnulis became the executive director. Several interim directors followed him until the appointment of Gary L. WARNER on July 1, 1972. (4)

Warner envisioned community living homes and apartments and stressed the importance of vocational training that began at the facility on Kaufmann Avenue. A workshop was also opened on Central Avenue. The recognition of the fine work done by ARC led to the need for expanded facilities. The Vocational Services Center was moved to the building formerly used by the Brown Publishing plant on South Locust and later to 2455 Kerper Boulevard. (5)

In 1973 the first community living home was opened at 1335 University Avenue. The first organized opposition to the selection of a home came with protests against a home on Broadway. This site, however, was approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission. The Adeline Home site also met with opposition. The denial of this location by the Commission led Thomas J. JOCHUM to sponsor legislation exempting homes for the mentally handicapped from needing Planning and Zoning approval. (6)

Accreditation, another of Warner's goals was achieved in February 1982 when Area Residential Care, Inc., of Dubuque became Iowa's first facility having full accredited residential and vocational programs for the developmentally disabled. The Accreditation Council for Services for Mentally Retarded and Other Developmentally Disabled Persons rated the ARC center at 2909 Kaufmann Avenue. Council accreditation, a voluntary process, called for the agency to complete a self-assessment of its compliance with council standards. Four days followed in which operations of the center were evaluated by two examiners from the council. (7)

The budget of ARC grew from $25,000 in 1968 to $4,300,000 in July 1988, with an economic impact of $12,928,884 to the community. In 1985 ARC ranked as the eleventh largest business in Dubuque in terms of number of employees. (8)

In 1997 Gary Warner retired from his position with ARC. His successor as chief executive officer was Jon E. Romaine, director of vocational services, following a nationwide search. Romaine had been the coordinator of handicapped services for Iowa Central Community College and the coordinator of client services at work adjustment specialist at Iowa Central Industrial, Fort Dodge. He held a bachelor of science degree in education from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and a master of science degree in vocational rehabilitation from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. (9)

On September 25, 2011, Area Residential Care had an insert placed in the Telegraph Herald outlining its history. The following is the information provided:

1968--On August 18, the agency opens its doors for the first time and 20 children move into Kaufmann from Woodward State Hospital

1973--The Agency purchases 2909 Kaufmann from the ARCHDIOCESE OF DUBUQUE and the Vocational Services Center opened its doors for the first time on Central Avenue.

1974--The University Group Home opens as the first licensed home.

1975--In May, the Vocational Services Center moved from Central Avenue to South Locust Street.

1980--The Delaware County Vocational Services Center opens its doors in Manchester.

1983--The Agency started offering apartment services in the fall.

1984-The Vocational Services Center moved from South Locust to Kerper Blvd.

1987--In November the Becker Community Living Home opened as the first "waiver" Home where some of the licensing regulations are waived.

1991--In June the Howard Community Living Home opened in Manchester.

1992--The Agency opened its first three Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Mental Retardation licensed homes.

1993--The Agency purchased its first apartment building at Pasadena.

1994--In August the Kennedy Community Living Home opened and the residential program at Kaufmann ended.

1995--In July the agency began offering a retirement program.

1998--In August the Pennsylvania Community Living Home became the first Home and Community Based Services home In December the agency's main administration offices moved from 2909 Kaufmann to Roosevelt Street Extension off of Kerper.

1999--In March the Consumer Advisory Council stated meeting.

2001--In November the apartment program expanded its services in include Dyersville and an apartment complex was opened there. The first annual Corporate & Community Games were held during the Dragonboat Festival.

2004--The apartment complex at Kennedy Circle was build and opened.

2005--In August the agency adopted a new official logo. In December the community living home opened in Dyersville.

2011--The Roosevelt Business Office and Dubuque Vocational Service Center combined under one roof at Kennedy Circle. The Adult Day Center program opened to the public early in the fall.

During the 2000s the affiliation with United Way and ARC of US and Iowa were dropped. A new organization, "ARK Advocates" was started and by-laws were adopted. (10)

See: DUBUQUE COUNTY ASSOCIATION FOR RETARDED CITIZENS, INC.

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Source:

1. Schmeichel, W L. (Roy) In Retrospect: A Thirty Year History of Dubuque County Association for Retarded Citizens," Unpublished history provided by Carole and Paul Porter, 2016

2. Gross, Kate. "Trio Helps Fill Service Void," Telegraph Herald, June 30, 2005, p. 1

3. Schmeichel

4. Ibid.

5. Ibid.

6. Ibid.

7. Ibid.

8. Ibid.

9. "ARC Has New Director," Telegraph Herald, October 4, 1997, p. 5A, Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=aEyKTaVlRPYC&dat=19971004&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

10. ARK Advocat3es|About Us: History Website