History of the Agency
In the past, individuals with MR/DD were largely ignored by society, left without well-defined goals, appropriate programs, or realistic hopes for the future. Too often they were shut away in institutions, excluded from schools, not considered capable of jobs, and had no say in any life choices.
Today, persons receiving agency services live their lives with more control, freedom, and independence than many ever imagined possible.
Children's Services
The first program to come under direct operation of the agency was Children's Services, located at Dyer School at that time. Children's Services included preschool and school-age classes. It has expanded over the past 36 years to include early intervention classes, two schools, satellite classrooms in public schools, and educational centers in community locations like the University of Cincinnati and various community centers.
The origins of the present Children's Services Department date back to the Hamilton County Council for Retarded Children (HCCRC), the organization now known as ARC-Hamilton County. The Council was organized in 1947 by parents concerned about the lack of programs, facilities, and services for their children with mental retardation.
In time, the State Department of Mental Hygiene & Corrections was required by law to subsidize the county's educational program through funds to the Hamilton County Welfare Department.
In the 1960s, Ohio’s Attorney General ruled that all school programs operated by private agencies must be transferred to the county welfare departments. The County Welfare Department created a Division of Services for Retarded Children, which assumed operation of 12 school-age classes.
In 1962, the school-age program was moved to Stowe School, and in 1965, school-age classes were relocated to Dyer School.
At Dyer, physical education classes, speech and hearing screening and therapy, and nursing services were offered for the first time. Pupils also, for the first time, participated in a wide range of school activities, including band, chorus, and sports teams, with cheerleaders and pep squad.
When the Dyer building was filled to capacity, classes were also conducted at Sands School, bringing the total number of youngsters at Dyer and Sands to 500.
After the passage of Amended Substitute Senate Bill 169 in 1967, the newly appointed Hamilton County Board of Mental Retardation contracted with the Hamilton County Welfare Department to continue operation of the school-age program until 1971, when the agency assumed direct administration of the program.
The children's program continued to grow in the 1970's. The agency assumed operation of preschool classes in 1971, and introduced early intervention classes in 1976.
Growth of Children's Services led to the construction of new buildings designed to accommodate children with special needs.
In 1976, Frederick A. Breyer School opened in New Burlington. Bobbie B. Fairfax School in Madisonville opened in 1980, Margaret B. Rost School in Bridgetown opened in 1981.
Adult Services
In 1973, the agency created the Adult Services Department when it assumed operation of the adult program from the Hamilton County Council for Retarded Children. At the time, the program included three sheltered workshops, now called Adult Centers.
In 1955, the Council began operation of a sheltered workshop for adults located in a colony building at East Oakley School. A second workshop was opened in 1960 to serve persons in the western sector of the county. The HCCRC continued to operate these shops until 1973, when the agency assumed operation.
In 1973, Work Activity Centers, Inc. of Hamilton County was formed. This non-profit corporation served as the employer for individuals in Adult Centers.. In 1985, the name of Work Activity Centers, Inc. was changed to The General Assembly, Inc.
In 1979, Elmer P. Beckman Adult Center and E. Roger Jackson Adult Center opened. Following were Robert W. Franks Adult Center in 1981, Northside Adult Center in 1985, and Evendale Adult Center in 1988. Northside Center closed in 1998 due to the development of community-based vocational opportunities. Evendale Adult Center was renamed Thomas H. Kidd Adult Center in 2000, upon Mr. Kidd’s retirement as superintendent.
Additional habilitation opportunities are provided through contracts with dozens of service providers, including Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries, Jewish Vocational Service, and Work Resource Center. Contract agencies provide job evaluation, training, and development.
Community Resources.
In 1986, when given the mandate to provide case management, the agency contracted with Cincinnati Center for Developmental Disorders (CCDD).
In 1992, the agency assumed operation of Case Management Services.
In 1998, the Community Resources Department was established to assure that services are responsive to individual needs and choices. Services provided by Community Resources include: Information or Referral; Service Placement; Service Coordination and Monitoring; Supported Living/Residential Services; and Crisis Intervention.
In 1975, the agency began providing residential services when it assumed operation of Virginia Perin House from HCCRC. Subsequently, the agency's building program provided three new group homes - Eugene Geier House and Agnes Manney House in 1980, and Dan Tehan House in 1981.
In 1992, the agency closed Perin House, and in 1998, it began contracting with Toward Independence for services.
The agency now contracts with several outside agencies for residential services and supports, including Living Arrangements for the Developmentally Disabled; Resident Home Corporation; ENCORE through CORE, Inc.; and Ohio Valley Residential Services.
In 1990, the agency began the Supported Living Program for individuals who wish to live in the community. Supported Living allows individuals to live in their own apartments or homes, with agency financial and staff support.
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