The Arc of the Quad Cities Area

The Arc of the Quad Cities Area empowers individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live rich, self-directed lives across northwestern Illinois and eastern Iowa. Founded in 1952 by parents seeking educational and social opportunities for their children, the organization has grown into a cornerstone regional provider delivering residential, vocational, and community day services to hundreds of individuals and families throughout Rock Island, Henry, Mercer, and Scott counties.

Residential programs provide compassionate, individualized support in community integrated living arrangements, shared campus homes, and private supported apartments. Direct support professionals assist residents with daily living routines, culinary skills, household budgeting, wellness planning, and community navigation. Every residential setting emphasizes personal choice, privacy, and community integration, ensuring that participants have the autonomy to make decisions about their daily lives, cultivate lasting friendships, and participate actively in neighborhood activities and local events. Specialized staff are available around the clock to provide medical administration, behavioral support, and personal care tailored to complex health needs.

Employment services open doors to competitive integrated work across the Quad Cities. Vocational specialists evaluate participants' unique strengths and career aspirations, providing targeted job readiness instruction, resume development, and interview practice. Once employment is secured, job coaches work alongside participants at employer partner locations in retail, food service, warehousing, and professional offices. This ongoing support ensures workplace success, promotes long-term retention, and helps workers master new job tasks while earning competitive wages and gaining economic self-sufficiency. Employers benefit from dependable team members and continuous supervisory support.

Community day services provide enriching daytime activities centered on personal growth, creativity, and civic participation. Participants take part in adaptive art classes, music exploration, wellness exercises, and technology workshops in well-equipped learning spaces. Group excursions connect participants with meaningful volunteer projects at area animal shelters, cultural institutions, and community gardens, reinforcing neighborhood ties and public visibility. The agency's Limitless Living program further expands these opportunities by offering structured evening and weekend social events, dances, and sporting outings that foster lifelong friendships.

Advocacy and family support form an essential part of the agency's mission. Knowledgeable staff assist families with navigating complex state funding systems, transition planning from high school special education into adult service networks, and guardianship decision-making. Through public educational forums, civic partnerships, and celebratory gatherings like the Catalyst Awards and seasonal fall festivals, the organization champions equity and complete inclusion for people of all abilities throughout the greater Quad Cities region.

Looking toward the future, the organization continues to innovate its service delivery models, adapting to changing community needs and expanding individualized community supports. By partnering with regional businesses, civic leaders, and volunteer groups, the agency helps build inclusive neighborhoods where individuals with developmental disabilities are recognized for their distinct talents and contributions.