Though not so named at the time, The Arc of Placer County was established in 1958 by a group of parents joining together in a resolute voice to advocate for the educational rights of their children with special needs. As a result of their advocacy, the county office of education opened its first classroom for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in 1959.
The agency was incorporated in 1963 as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, and with an eye to the future when their children would be leaving public school, the parents opened a thrift store to raise funds for future programs and services. In 1964, enough funds were raised to open the doors of our first program, a sheltered workshop, in the basement of a church in Auburn. Even today, some of the children of those resolute parents are still served by the agency's programs.
Our agency has gone by many names over the years, but with our alignment as a chapter of the largest advocacy group in the country for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities, The Arc of the United States, our name also changed to The Arc of Placer County. Throughout our history we have proudly served clients with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and strived to significantly contribute to the quality of their lives.