THE ARC OF DUNN COUNTY INC

Description

In 1967, The Arc was organized as a member of The Arc-Wisconsin and The Arc-National and created by a group of parents due to the need for programs for pre-school children with developmental disabilities. Due to a lack of funding for a teacher, the first classes were taught by the mothers of these children with funds from the Dunn County Board of Supervisors. Later they became part of the Tri-County Mental Health Clinic. Classes were held for several years at Christ Lutheran Church in Menomonie, until these programs were taken over as a mandated program of the public-school system. The Arc then explored how to start programs for adults with developmental disabilities residing in the county, whether in a home or in State Centers. With the help of Dr. Don Brolin from UW-Stout, a grant to the Federal Developmental Disabilities Board was made and received, thus beginning the first Adult Activity Center in the area. This program also came under the administration of Tri-County Mental Health. When the 51.42-437 legislation came into effect, consumers were appointed to this board that became the Unified Services of Western Wisconsin, located in Elmwood, WI. After this agency was dissolved by the three county boards, Dunn County Human Services Board asked The Arc to form a private non-profit to operate a sheltered workshop. The Arc established this non-profit workshop, which today is called Indianhead Enterprises, Inc. and is now its own entity.