About PARC
PARC offers a comprehensive selection of critical supports and services including early intervention services, rehabilitation services, transitional services, vocational training, respite services, clinical and family support services, specialized services and community-based residential setting. We foster community inclusion to over 650 children and adults with developmental disabilities in the greater Peoria area.
People Advocating for Respect and Consideration of individuals with developmental disabilities.
PARC (Peoria Association for Retarded Citizens, Inc.) was founded in 1950 by a group of parents who wanted more for their developmentally disabled children than to see them marginalized by society or institutionalized. At that time, institutional care was substandard, community alternatives were rarely available, and myths about developmental disabilities were widespread. People with developmental disabilities and their families were isolated from the rest of society. Originally organized to serve children with mental retardation, PARC now serves children and adults who are diagnosed with many kinds of developmental disabilities including, but not limited to, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Autism and Epilepsy. PARC was incorporated in 1957.
Thanks to dedicated staff, volunteers, family members, and community supporters, services for the developmentally disabled have improved dramatically since 1950. Community services including community-based residential programs, respite care services, day programs, recreational activities, ongoing education, family support services, and vocational training and placement opportunities are now available to persons in the community with developmental disabilities. Public schools are now accessible to all children with disabilities, and people with developmental disabilities are participating and contributing in their communities.
How do I access PARC programs and Services?
Contact an Independent Service Coordination (ISC) agency in the Peoria area. These agencies are the "front door" to Illinois state-funded service system. The ISC agency will perform a Pre-Admission Screening to document that the individual is eligible for the service and that the service setting is appropriate to his or her needs. Also know and PAS/ISCs, these agencies help develop a service plan tailored to the individual's needs and can make referrals to local service providers like Parc.
The ISC agency to contact in Peoria is:
Central Illinois Service Access, Inc. (CISA)
101 Madigan Drive
Lincoln, IL 62656
Phone: (217)732-4731
How do we support individuals with developmental disabilities to become active members of the community?
We enable people with developmental disabilities to become active member of their community by living in homes and apartments, working in jobs with local businesses, volunteering, being members of local groups and organizations, taking trips of their choice, and participation in local events.
Our CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) accredited Community-Based Living program creates personalized living arrangements for people with developmental disabilities by accommodating them in homes and apartments located in neighborhoods that provide and environment fostering personal growth and community inclusion.
Our Children's and Adult Programs offer a broad range of creative services designed to enable individuals to reach their full potential and achieve the quality of life they desire. These services include Rehabilitation Services, PATS (PARC Assistive Technology Services), Respite care, Employment Services, Support Services, Children's and Adult Programs. These services help our participants to utilize their strengths, abilities and preferences to develop skills applicable to daily living, socialization, communication and work.
