1953

Incorporation of Story County Association for Retarded Children by Dorothy Mather, Nina Pritchard, Irene and Ray McBurney, Carroll and Edith Jacobson, Betty Scheuermann.  Carroll Jacobson is elected first president.  Governing board includes president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, chaplain, past president and five additional directors.  Dues are $2.00

1955

Irene McBurney conducts Special Education Demonstration Project at North Grant School.

1955

ARC starts and finances the Story County Training Center located in a country school house south of Nevada.  Five “trainable” students are taught by Donna Ose twice each week.

1959

County assumes partial financial responsibility for the Training Center. The class is relocated in a Nevada home adjacent to central school.

1961

ARC begins participation in Coffee Day fund raising activities with Iowa Restaurant Association. By now the Training Center has nine children enrolled and is called the Story County Retarded Children’s School. ARC membership dues are $3.00 per couple or $2.50 for single membership.

1962

ARC publishes first newsletter.

1967

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ARC starts and finances Hope Pre-School located in Collegiate Presbyterian Church. Five physically and mentally disabled children are taught two hours daily by Jan Stromen and volunteers.  

1968

ARC finances start up of craft classes.  Classes are located in the Octagon Building and organized by Jan Rhinehart.

1969

ARC members, Paul and Ann Bellinghausen organize Bowling Program.  Irene McBurney chairs Scholarship and Career Day Committee to promote student interest in professions related to mental retardation.

1970

ARC cooperates with Extension Services to start up a summer camp program held at 4-H Camp Center for retarded citizens of Story, Boone and Dallas Counties.

1970

Harlan Elementary School in Ames begins offering a class for “young trainables,” graduates of Hope Pre-School for Handicapped Children. Membership meeting now held every other month rather than monthly.

1971

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ARC starts and finances an Activity Center located in Collegiate Presbyterian Church.  Planning committee comprised of Bob Samuelson, Wayner Rhinehart, and Eleanor Elbert. Jennifer Pagoulates is hired as director. Center relocated to 202 ½ Main Street.

1972

ARC members incorporate a new agency, the Association for the Development of Physically and Mentally Handicapped Children and Adults to operate the Activity Center. Later to become Story County Developmental Center (SCDC).