History
1947: The Association for Retarded Children forms at the national level. It was organized by a group of parents to advocate for school services for children with mental retardation and other severe disabilities.
1961: The Anne Arundel County Associations for Retarded Children, Inc. incorporates.
1972: The Arc opens Bello Machre to provide residential services.
1973: The National Association for Retarded Children becomes the National Association for Retarded Citizens.
1974: The Arc begins the Infant Stimulation Program, which later became The Infant and Toddler Program.
1975: Opens the county's first group home in Linthicum.
1977: Begins the Anne Arundel County Respite Care Program.
1978: Begins the Anne Arundel County Retarded Citizens Residential Homes, Inc., which later became Alternative Living, Inc. Opened a second group home on Spa Drive in Annapolis. Began an apartment based community living program.
1980: Begins a summer vacation program.
1981: The Association for Retarded Citizens opens Langton Green.
1982: Cosponsors the "College for the Living" with Anne Arundel Community College.
1987: With support from DDA, expands family and individual support services.
1990: Converts the Linthicum Group home to a drop-off respite care home for families.
1991: The Association for Retarded Citizens becomes “The Arc”
1994: Begins Community Supported Living (CSLA).
1998: Alternative Living, Inc. merges into The Arc of Anne Arundel County to reduce administrative costs and to create a stronger, more unified agency. All administrative services are consolidated into the newly renovated Spa Road office in Annapolis.
2001: The Arc of Anne Arundel County begins coordinated outreach to the Hispanic community.
2002: The Arc of Anne Arundel County opens a second office in Glen Burnie to better serve citizens in the northern part of the county.
2004: The Arc provides Customized Employment.
2006: The Arc of Anne Arundel County opens a third office in Easton to better serve citizens on the Eastern Shore.
2007: The Arc of Anne Arundel County formally changes its name to The Arc of the Central Chesapeake Region, and now proudly serves Anne Arundel, Caroline, Dorchester, Queen Anne and Talbot counties.
