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During the 1950's, a group of parents of developmentally
disabled children began the first programs that would
evolve, as their children grew, into what is now a
network of programs and services for disabled
individuals in the Bartlesville community.
Special education services for disabled children began
in June, 1957 at Garfield School and later at Jefferson
School. In 1965, children over six years of age were accepted into
the Bartlesville School System.
The
Mental Health Association agreed to sponsor preschool
children with multiple needs and in 1967 moved to a
small house on Howard, then owned by a small group of
physicians. This became Bellringer School.
Washington County ARC was organized in 1966,
having begun as "Mothers of Retarded Children" in the
early 1960's.
The ARC
Workshop opened in April of 1970 on West Hensley
(where the police station is now located).
ARC
Thrift Shop opened in 1969, as a source of revenue to be
used to fund programs. It was first located on
West Frank Phillips Blvd., next to Carroll’s Car Lot.
In
1972, WCARC leased the
Douglass School Building. The Thrift Store
moved into the front (auditorium/gym), and the workshop
occupied the rooms at the back.
ARC
Industries was formed in 1972, which took over the WCARC
workshop, and shortly thereafter, the ARC Thrift Store.
In
May of 1973, ARC Industries was incorporated as a 501
(c) (3) non-profit agency. Members of the Board of
Directors were recruited from business and educational
backgrounds, as well as some parents or family members. ARC Industries primarily provided
sheltered employment for people with disabilities,
although some people were placed on jobs in the
community. Those employed in the sheltered
workshop were working on contract work ARC Industries
provided for area businesses.
ARC
Group Homes was organized to operate group homes owned
by WCARC. The first home was opened in 1974 and
more were added over the years. These homes provided
house managers who supervised and taught living skills.
Disabled adults who were unable to live with family
moved into these homes.
In the late 1980’s, a
new program began to emerge in Oklahoma called
“Supported Employment”. Supported Employment’s focus is
on community job placements for people with the most
significant disabilities. The focus nationally and in
Oklahoma for employment services for people with
disabilities was shifting from segregated employment to
community integrated employment. Commitment to
community integrated employment for people with
disabilities has continued since that time.
In 1990, ARC Industries started a
recycling program as a way to provide employment
opportunities for people with disabilities and to
provide a valuable community service. ARC Industries
took over operation of the
Thrift Shop
in November of 1992.
In
2003, ARC Industries was named Employment Services Agency
of the Year by the Oklahoma Chapter of the Association
for Persons in Supported Employment (OK-APSE).
That same year, it was one of five agencies selected
nationwide to participate in the Training and Assistance
to Providers (T-Tap) program funded by the U.S.
Department of Labor.
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In December of 2004, ARC Industries, Inc. amended its
Certificate of Incorporation to reflect a
name change to EmployAbility, Inc. A
name-change ceremony, including a ribbon
cutting, was held on April 29, 2005.
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Effective January 1, 2008, EmployAbility,
Inc. and ARC Group Homes announced a shared
resource working agreement. This
agreement combined administrative functions
and personnel of both agencies, operating
under the direction of ARC Group Homes'
Executive Director, Joyce Aldredge.
The position of EmployAbility's Executive
Director, Terri Dearman, who resigned in
October of 2007, was replaced by Vocational
Director, Cindy Collins. Under the
terms of the agreement, both agencies
retained their identities with no visible
functional changes anticipated.
Together, the two agencies had a combined
payroll of 3.1 million dollars and served
110 clients with developmental disabilities.
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Through supported employment,
EmployAbility, Inc. continues to be responsive to the
employment needs of people with disabilities, and has
opened the door to community-integrated job
opportunities in the Bartlesville area.
EmployAbility, Inc. currently serves seventy
individuals with cognitive and/or physical disabilities,
and maintains a dedicated staff of thirty-five.
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501 SW Virginia Ave
Bartlesville OK 74003
918-336-6361 |
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