Ours is one of nine local and one state Arc in Rhode Island, and one of 850 across the United States.

Our business is helping people learn...

...we teach skills to persons with mental retardation and related disabilities and provide opportunities for the use of those skills in the community.

We assist each individual to make decisions and take responsibility for their own life, and we help the community learn about the abilities and potential of citizens with mental retardation.

The development of community-based programs for persons with mental retardation and related disabilities began and continues under The Arc leadership.

The Arc is a national, state and local organization which is committed to securing for all people with mental retardation and related disabilities the opportunity to chose and realize their goals of where and how they live, learn, work and play.

The Arc is further committed to reducing the incidence and limiting the consequence of mental retardation through education, advocacy, and the support of families, friends and community.

The program services that The Arc of Blackstone Valley offers are individually designed to support people across a broad spectrum of areas.

These programs focus on each individual's strengths, needs, and desires, and are tailored to effectively assist each person achieve personal goals.

These services and supports are delivered as part of a person centered planning process that focuses on each individual as the center of the planning process. The plan evolves and changes as the person achieves continued independence.

The Arc of Blackstone Valley is committed to providing a person centered planning process to that empowers people to control their futures with efficient and effective support.