About Us
QUALITY • CHOICE • RESPECT • INCLUSION • CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION • EFFICIENCY • PARTNERSHIP • PROACTIVENESS • LEADERSHIP • COMMUNICATION
Our Mission is to provide the highest quality services to help people with developmental disabilities, and their families, achieve their goals.
We work hard to provide the kind of individualized services that can really help make a difference to an adult… to a child… to a family. Services provided are designed to maximize choice and to support people as they build quality lives within the St. Louis community.
Our History
Founded in 1950 by a group of activist parents who wanted more for their children with mental retardation, the St. Louis Arc has a long tradition of advocacy and respect for the rights of people with developmental disabilities—from its earliest work in opening education and recreation opportunities to today’s commitment to high-quality, person-centered programs and services. For the past 55 years, the St. Louis Arc has offered a wide array of services, including residential, employment, leisure, respite, family support, early intervention, prevention and advocacy.
Accreditation
The St. Louis Arc is recognized as a quality leader among professional agencies.
Since 1983, St. Louis Arc has been accredited by The Council on Quality and Leadership 
(CQL), an international not-for-profit organization dedicated to being a leader for excellence in the definition, measurement and evaluation of personal and community quality of life for people with disabilities. In 2004, St. Louis Arc became only the fifth organization in the world to be awarded a Value-Added accreditation from CQL.