In May 1956, the organization was established with the charter of the Broward Training Center Foundation, Inc.

The 25 founding parents' goal was to establish a school for their children because mandatory public education did not exist at the time.

With one teacher, provided by the School Board, in a rent-free storefront located on Las Olas Blvd. 4 children enrolled in October 1956.

In 1961, the school moved into a donated building on Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and served 35 children.

In the early 1970's, federal legislation provided for the mandatory education of children with mental retardation.

ARC Broward grew rapidly to provide double sessions serving Ft. Lauderdale, Hollywood and Pompano.

Gradually, elementary schools and exceptional centers met the mandate for compulsory education for school aged children.

In the 1976, the Excalibur Developmental Center merged with the Broward Association for Retarded Children.

In the 1979, the organization formed a subsidiary corporation, BARC Housing Inc., and initiated the plans to develop its first residential program.

The sheltered workshop was reorganized into a comprehensive Employment and Training Center.

In 1984, the Parent Training Program established "Project Touch", a countywide parent support group.

In 1986, ARC Broward initiated its Capital Fundraising Campaign and pledged to raise more than $6 million dollars for the development of a state of the art centralized, regional center in west Broward County, Florida.

ARC Broward established a Corporate Guardianship Program for 15 individuals with developmental disabilities, which exists to date.

In 1987, ARC Broward opened its first community-based group home, Lakes House, serving 8 young adults preparing for independent living.

The organization established a joint "Genetic Research and Evaluation" project with the University of Miami.

In 1991, the organization opened the ARC Broward Regional Center in Sunrise, Florida. The administrative offices and vocational program relocated from Ft. Lauderdale and the Children's program relocated from Hallandale, Florida.

In November 1991, the Supported Living Program was established and assisted 2 women to reside in an apartment in Hollywood, Florida.

Lakes House began transitioning to become a group home for senior individuals with developmental disabilities.

In 1992, the organization received it's first coveted 3-year national accreditation from, CARF the rehabilitation accreditation commission in the Adult Services Program.

In December, 1992 Venice House, a community based group home, opened serving six residents transitioning from BARC Housing.

In 1994, the organization's name changed to Achievement and Rehabilitation Centers Inc. to reflect more progressive and diverse mission and goals.

In 1996, two additional community based group homes opened, Riviera House and Capri House.

Supported Independent Living services were expanded to serve 25 adults in 14 apartments scattered throughout Broward County, Florida.

In 1997, the preschool developed a specialized program for children with autism and diversified to provide integrated preschool services for children without disabilities.

On June 16, 1997 the main campus in Sunrise, Florida was struck by a tornado, The campus sustained severe damages and center-based programs were suspended for 8 days until temporary repairs and alternative arrangements were made.

In February 1998 ARC Broward joined the UT-TIE (University of Tennessee, Training ~ Inclusion ~ Employment) Network, receiving one year of technical training and support to move toward a team oriented management approach, enhanced community-based employment and other community supports.

In April 1998, another community based group home, Aspen House opened serving four adults.

In October 1998, the Alternative Behavioral Learning Environment (ABLE) After-school program opened serving children ages 6 through 18 also providing "wrap around" behavioral services in the children's homes and schools.

In November 1998, the Outpatient Mental Health Program was established, providing individual, group and family counseling services.

In March 1999, the organization transitioned its adult programs and services to a full "team" and "person-centered" structure.

In September 1999, community based group home Santa Fe House opened serving 6 adult men.

In October 1999, ARC Broward opened its first group home for children, serving 6 boys ages 9 through 15.

In March of 2000 ARC Broward opened community based group home, Carousel House as a transitional home for children ages 6-10 with autism with a goal of reunifying children with their families or moving into less restrictive environments.

In May of 2000, ARC Broward established its Health Care Division providing speech, occupational and physical therapy services to individuals receiving other ARC Broward services.

In June of 2000 the Therapeutic Intervention Program (TIP) opened at ARC Broward as a unique "pilot" program providing elementary school, after school, and transdisciplinary therapeutic inervention for children with autism.

Also in June of 2000, ARC Broward opened its Behavioral Health Division encompassing Mental Health Services, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, Community Based Behavioral Supports and Agency Based Behavioral Supports.

In July of 2000, Pre-Vocational Adjustment and Personal and Social Adjustment classes are offered separately to individuals receiving behavioral supports in the adult day programs.

In October, 2000 ARC Broward established a specialized day program for Older Adults to provide individuals with retirement choices and options.

Also in October, 2000, ARC Broward established a Community Participation Program to provide enhanced opportunities for commuinty inclusion and identification of occupational options.

In December, 2000: ARC Broward began to provide its own courses in Applied Behavior Analysis, which are approved for Continuing Education Units.

In February, 2001 ARC Broward opened Malibu House, a community based group home for young adults in Coral Springs.

Also in February 2001, the ARC Broward Preschool received national NAEYC accreditation.

In March, 2001 ARC Broward established its Tuesday Bingo Nights at its main campus as an on-going fundraising and community linkage effort.

Also in 2001, two local family advocacy organizations relocate to the ARC Broward main campus; the Autism Society of Broward and the Gold Coast Down Syndrome Organization.

In July, 2001, ARC Broward began to offer specialized Respite Services for children with autism and related behavioral challenges.

In October, 2001 ARC Broward established the Parents as Teachers (PAT) program, the first time in the country that this national best practices model is applied to children with special needs.

In January, 2002 ARC Broward initiated its Electronics Recycling/Asset Recovery Services in collaboration with Broward County, Florida and partner cities providing new employment and vocational training opportunities as well as environmentally preferable options for end of life computers and other electronics.

In July 2002, ARC Broward established Kamp Krayola for children with behavioral challenges in response to changes in summer school and ESY services.

In 2002, ARC Broward expanded its capacity to offer staff training to individuals from other organizations throughout the State and Southeastern United States.

In November, 2003, ARC Broward established its Youth Links program to provide individualized advocacy services to targeted students concerning self-determination and self- advocacy, IDEA education and mediation, among other things.

In July 2003 ARC Broward's Health Division initiated Camp SMART, a therapy based Summer camp.

In 2003, ARC Broward expanded its transportation services to include an additional 100 adults attending its day programs.

ARC Broward's Human Services Staff Training Solutions expands its ability to provide other organizations with customized training programs.

Also in 2003, ARC Broward reorganized its Adult services into a Habilitation Services Division and the Workforce Division.

The Adult Skills Development Center was created as part of ARC Broward's vocational services.

Vehicle Washing Services were commenced to provide job training and integrated work opportunities.

In January, 2004, School Board of Broward County Teaching staff begin to offer computer training and other skills development classes at ARC Broward.

In March 2004, ARC Broward's Workforce Division initiated the "Calypso Grill", a short-term Food Service Training Program in a state of the art full-scale commercial kitchen located in Sunrise, Florida.

In March 2004, ARC Broward's Workforce Division initiated Maintenance/Janitorial work opportunities to enhance employment options.

In March 2004, ARC Broward received a three-year renewal of its accreditation from CARF for its Community Services, Personal and Social Services, Employment Services, and Outpatient Treatment (Mental Health) programs.

In April 2004, ARC Broward's Workforce Division initiated Landscaping work opportunities to enhance employment options.

In June 2004, ARC Broward expanded its Summer Camp services to serve additional children in Kamp Krayola and Camp S.M.A.R.T.