The Arc Nature Coast

The Arc Nature Coast provides individually tailored supports and advocacy for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families in Hernando, Pasco and Sumter counties, with the goal of self-determination and inclusion in community life. Founded in 1972 by local citizens who saw a lack of services for adults with developmental disabilities, it has been affiliated with The Arc of the United States from the start and still serves people from its original 30-acre wooded campus in Brooksville.

Life Skills Development programs at sites including Brooksville, New Port Richey and Dade City build personal, social and daily living skills through individualized programming and community engagement. For people who want to work, small crews of five to 10 go out daily to enclave job sites in janitorial, production, packaging, assembly and restaurant work, and those ready for competitive employment are placed with employers in partnership with vocational rehabilitation.

Residential services range from small group homes of five or six residents to support for people living in their own homes with household management, budgeting and community skills. Transportation connects participants to programs and community activities, and families can find estate planning guides and links to disability resources.

The Arc Nature Coast is raising funds to build a new Life Skills Enrichment Center on the Neff Lake campus for people with more significant disabilities and aging challenges. Supporters can volunteer, become members, buy a commemorative paver, sponsor events, or attend fundraisers like Fireflies & Fine Wine and the Spring Lake Memorial Classic run.