History of TARC

A small group of parents
Held a meeting one night
To try to solve a problem
That had not future in sight.
-Bob Anders,(TARC Parent)

1954 On February 8, 1954, a group of 32 parents met to discuss a mutual problem. They each needed support and services for their child who was mentally retarded. Shawnee County Association for Retarded Children was formed.

1955 Due to limited facilities only 24 children could be provided with services. Children from 5-18 years old were enrolled. The association joined the National Association for Retarded Citizens. A 6 room house at 4600 10th St. was leased to serve 24 children 5-18 years of age. The salary for the first instructor was paid by the Junior League of Topeka.

1957 The Association was accepted into the Community Chest (known today as the United Way of Greater Topeka) with a budget of $7698.

1961 The first executive director, Ethel May Miller, was hired and she held this position until she retired in December, 1976.

1962 The first young adult Work Activity Program was offered one day a week.

1969 The Association was recognized as the most outstanding ARC unit of the 173 units in the South Central Region of the NARC. The Adult Concerns Committee researched the need for group homes in Topeka and formed a separate corporation known as Sheltered Living, Inc.

1970 The new Community Center for the Mentally Retarded, a $211,375 structure, located at 2701 SW Randolph Avenue was dedicated. The Day Care Center and Adult Work Shop were moved to this building.

1974 Shawnee County Association for Retarded Children became known as the Topeka Association for Retarded Citizens, Inc.

1975 The Early Intervention program for infants from birth to two years of age was added to the Child Development Program.

1981 The Geers Work Center building at 2701 SW Randolph was completed and dedicated.

1986 TARC Preschoolers received their first computer from the Telephone Pioneers marking the beginning of Assistive Technology at TARC.

1987 Major initiative for Supported Employment was started.

1989 Due to the increased number of adults applying for services, an additional building in the Southgate Industrial Park, 1800 SW 42th Street was constructed. The building was named after Lila L. Paslay who became the Executive Director of TARC and held this position until her retirement in 1994. The Geers building was remodeled and a program was initiated to meet the needs of persons with severe multiple disabilities. The Early Intervention program was able to expand with the renovation of the Miller Building.

1990 The TARC After School Program was initiated for school age children in the public schools. TARC staff increased to 57 employees.

1991 The Home and Community Based Services (HCBS)/MR waiver brought about the beginning of Service Coordination Funding through Medicaid. The Supported Employment Program moved to White Lakes Plaza with the Community Activity Program (CAP) for senior citizens and adults with mental retardation who were unable to participate in a vocations program.

1995 Kansas enacted the Developmental Disabilities Reform Act which included the beginning of TARC's Community Developmental Disabilities Organization (CDDO) Department to implement the provisions of the Act. TARC staff had grown to 92 employees. The first year of the TARC Benefit Golf Tournament and Victorian Cookie Shoppe fundraisers began.

1996 Adult Day Services was re-designed into two divisions: Community Focus and TARC Industries. Supports were provided so that consumers could move from one division to another in order to have their needs better met.

1997 TARC receives on of the two Robert Woods Johnson Self- Determination grants.

1998 Seven hundred children and adults are served in Shawnee County through agencies affiliated through the CDDO department. Assistive Technology and Therapy becomes a new division serving both children and adults at TARC. Children's Services begins providing services in "Natural Environments" as federally mandated. Winter Wonderland, a major TARC fundraising initiative, opened at Lake Shawnee.

1999 The Assistive Technology and Resource Center participated in a grant through the City of Topeka to provide more increased accessibilitiy through technology and increased accessibilitiy at five community sites. TARC was awarded an Employment Support Services grant. All TARC programs reach an all-time high: 90 children (birth to two) were supported at TARC, 81 full and part time adults were supported at TARC Industries, 104 adults were served through Supported Employment, 55 adults and 15 seniors were supported through Community Focus, 267 individuals received Service Coordination services, TARC had 107 employees.

2000 The Topeka 20-30 Club continued ther ling time support of TARC's Children's Services with the purchase of computers, software, switches and toys. "Play Groups" were established for infants and toddlers within community integrated settings. New Administrative offices at 2701 SW Randolph were completed providing the link between service provision in the Miller and Geers buildings.

2001 The TARC Foundation, Inc. was formed with a 15 member Board of Trustees. SPARKK (Special Parents and Respite Kare for Kids) was developed by a group of parents to provide respite care twice a month for familes who have a child with a developmental delay or disability.

2002 TARC's Children's Residential Program was developed.

2003 TARC's Community Focus seperated into two divisions: Day Services and TARC Industries/Employment Services (TIES). Ethel May Miller and TARC's founding families kicked off Winter Wonderland VI.

2004 February 8th- TARC celebrates its 50th Anniversary of service to persons with developmental disabilities and their families.