The Arc of the Bay

The Arc of the Bay, formerly St. Andrew Bay Center, has provided support and opportunities for adults with disabilities in Bay County since 1957. From its Lynn Haven campus, it helps people discover their abilities and build lives that are as self-sufficient and independent as possible, with services designed around each person's goals.

Adult Day Training is the largest program, blending contract work that earns a paycheck, vocational and independent living skills, cooking and nutrition, arts, movement and recreational therapy, advocacy training, volunteer service and community outings, plus supervised crews that complete janitorial contracts. Employment Services offers Discovery, on-the-job training sponsored by Vocational Rehabilitation, and Supported Employment with ongoing coaching so people can find and keep jobs with local businesses.

The Arc of the Bay Culinary Institute, founded in 2019, trains adults with disabilities to become restaurant ready through classroom and hands-on instruction in a commercial kitchen, with semester classes led by a professional chef and advised by Gulf Coast State College culinary faculty. The residential program includes The Bay House, a six-bedroom group home in Lynn Haven with round-the-clock support, and a fleet of wheelchair-accessible buses and vans provides transportation to programs, jobs, medical visits and outings. The agency also runs the CARES autism support program in partnership with FSU Panama City's Early Childhood Autism Program.

Adults diagnosed with a developmental disability before 18 may qualify for day training, and private pay is available. Supporters can become monthly members, volunteer at events or in day programs, or join the annual Kohl's Fashion Show and Sporting Clay Shoot.