Nonprofit · Disability services · Career & workforce
The Arc of San Joaquin
Stockton, CA · Serving San Joaquin County
The Arc of San Joaquin provides person-centered day services, vocational training, and community integration for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across San Joaquin County. Founded in 1954 and headquartered in Stockton, the organization assists individuals living with conditions including autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and related developmental challenges. Programs are structured around individual service plans that encourage participants to establish personal milestones, make meaningful choices, and develop self-management skills.
The Starting Out adult day program provides comprehensive life skills training, behavioral support, and communication instruction for individuals with significant intellectual and physical disabilities. Certified staff provide assistance with daily personal care, mobility, and adaptive communication techniques. Creative and practical group projects include Cooking for the Crew, where participants learn recipes and culinary safety, alongside community service initiatives such as fabricating blankets for local animal rescue shelters and laundering clothing donations for unhoused neighbors.
Supported employment programs facilitate economic self-determination through individualized job placements and group work crews. Employment specialists collaborate with regional commercial employers to design customized job descriptions, assisting clients with application processes, onboarding, and continuous on-site job coaching. Group work crews perform groundskeeping, debris removal, and janitorial services throughout Stockton, receiving transportation and daily supervision. In addition, the Community and Personal Services division offers paid internships, health education through specialized curricula, and year-round gardening at the local Edible School Yard.
Get help
Individuals and families can initiate enrollment by contacting program supervisors directly or requesting a referral through their Valley Mountain Regional Center service coordinator.
Services and resourcesPrograms and services
Starting Out Adult Day Program
Provides life skills instruction, adaptive communication practice, personal care, and mobility assistance.
Supported Employment Individual Placement
Offers vocational assessment, customized job matching, interview preparation, and continuous on-site job coaching.
Group Employment Mobile Crews
Operates supervised mobile crews performing commercial groundskeeping, debris removal, and custodial maintenance.
Community and Personal Services
Facilitates paid internships, individualized goal setting, and volunteer placements with regional nonprofits.
Cooking for the Crew
Teaches fundamental recipes, meal planning, ingredient identification, and kitchen safety skills.
Edible School Yard Gardening
Provides therapeutic horticulture training in planting, drip irrigation management, and seasonal harvesting.
Community Volunteering Projects
Coordinates participant volunteer efforts supporting local animal shelters and community clothing closets.
Health Matters Education
Delivers specialized health and wellness instruction promoting personal hygiene, exercise, and safety.
Compiled from The Arc of San Joaquin’s own website and public filings. Last checked October 2, 2026. Something out of date? Send a correction.