In 1981 the ARC purchased their first group home in Stuart, Florida.  Both bank and private financing secured this property.  The ARC completed an addition to this property in 1987.  This property provided housing to ten adults with developmental disablilities who are all considered very low-income individuals.

As the community living movement grew steadily, the ARC remained Active in providing residential services through the development and management of six-person community based homes.  Designed to promote independence and community involvement, the ARC residential services program provided Direct Support by Professionals who work with each participant to assist with household tasks, finance management, health and medical care, transportation, personal care, and recreation.  The ARC has since opened an additional five community based homes under the six-person bed model for children and adults with developmental disabilities for a total of six homes in the Martin County area.  Individuals residing in all of the ARC homes require extensive supports and assistance to live successfully in the community.

The ARC has another home currently under construction and an eighth home on the horizon.  Each home specializes in delivering specific supports to adults and children who have developmental disabilities while emphasizing responsible personal choice in a home-like setting for.  

In 2005, the ARC began providing supported employment services for individuals with disabilities, who want to enter the workforce, develop their job skills and earn a competitive wage.  Participants work with an employment specialist that provides the support and assistance necessary to develop their independence.  This provides additional support and greater opportunities for the individuals receiving residential services to be able to successfully achieve independence within the community.

The ARC is also designated by the State of Florida as an authorized Train-the-Trainer site for Supported Employment services.  Staff of the ARC or other providers in the State wishing to provide supported employment services as a job coach need to be certified through one of the ARC’s certified instructors before doing so.

In 1986 the ARC began our Supported Living program.  This program assists individuals who have demonstrated competentcies in living more independently in securing appropriate housing and provides  developmentally disabled individuals with limited support and assistance.  The ARC currently provides management services for 15 individuals in the Supported Livng model and monitors all income and outflows for these locations.  These are all properties in which the individuals pay rent or a mortgage. 

One other housing project is currently under construction and is expected to be completed by June 2007.  This home will provide housing for another six individuals with developmental disabilities.  An eighth home is also on the project plan for the ARC which is to be purchased and rehabilitated by December 2007.

In 2004, the ARC of Martin County took a bold step and purchased the property that they had previously rented to accommodate their Corporate offices and Adult Day Training program.  This 12,000 square foot facility has adequate space for the ARC to grow its programs and accommodate administrative staff as the programs will grow.  The space also is suitable to accommodate the Adlult Day Training program which provides an array of experieces for the individuals attending the program ranging from community based volunteering activities to older adult programs. 

An attempt to modify and harden this facility to act as an emergency shelter for children and adults with special needs in the event of a hurricane or other similar emergency/disaster is currently under development plans and funds are being sought in different avenues to accoplish the much needed renovations to bring the facility up to current hurricane codes.