DUBUQUE COUNTY ASSOCIATION FOR RETARDED CITIZENS, INC.

DUBUQUE COUNTY ASSOCIATION FOR RETARDED CITIZENS, INC. Founded on August 18, 1953, DCARC first met in the DUBUQUE COUNTY COURTHOUSE with forty-two parents in attendance. (1) Temporary officers elected included Ken Cullen, president; Mrs. Sitzman, corresponding secretary; Mrs. Frank Urell, recording secretary; and an advisory committee including Mrs. Dorothy Puls, Frank Hickey, and Robert Walton. The slogan of the association was "You can't do it alone, I can't do it alone, we can do it together." (2)

One of the earliest act of the organization was to send gifts for Dubuque County children living in the state schools at Woodward and Glenwood. (3) Local units were asked to approve the constitution of the state organization. This was done locally on December 10, 1953 with record made of thirty-nine paid parent-members and seven honorary.

The organization actively pursued developing a playground for physically handicapped and mentally retarded children. This would be held during the summer at CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL which also provided a meeting place for the Dubuque County Association. In May, 1954 President Cullen announced that with the cooperation of the DUBUQUE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT the Central School location would be available from 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. for eight weeks beginning on June 21st. The district had also been cooperative in providing the first classes for trainable and educable children beginning in September, 1954 at AUDUBON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. Financial assistance came from the Dubuque County Association for Crippled Children and Adults. (4)

Transportation of children to special education classes proved a problem for some parents. In the fall of 1955 off-duty policemen were hired and paid a small salary plus mileage to transport children to their classes and then back home. This practice continued for a number of years as there were no school buses. (5)

The first "Milk Man's Fund Drive" receipts were reported in December 1955. This marked the first solicitation of funds for operating expenses and new programs. The drive generated $2,423.49. The second drive's success of raising $2,368.19 was reported in November 1956. In 1957 the Association joined the United Fund (later renamed United Way). (6)

The plan for organizing day care nurseries was reported in 1957. The idea of obtaining the use of some building for the Association or joining with the Crippled Children and Polio group was discussed. Difficulties arose and care was finally provided by volunteer mothers from the Association going into the individual homes. (7)

Alerting the public to the problem faced by handicapped children was a concern of President Frank Hickey. Around 1958 copies of "Children Limited" were purchased in quantity from the national association and placed in hospitals, schools, and doctor's offices. Books about mental handicapps were purchased and given to the public library. Thoughts were shared of finding a house with facilities to care for bed-ridden children and the summer playground was expanded. (8)

The 1960s saw the development f the first Boy Scout Troop for mentally handicapped boys. An appropriation from the United Fund was large enough for the Association to obtain its own office, meeting rooms, and a part-time secretary. The old HUMKE BAKING COMPANY building at 1533 Central was chosen because it provided space for all this and establishing a sheltered workshop. An open house was held on March 12, 1961

The association began summer camp programs including Albrecht Acres in 1975. With the help of other county associations and CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF DUBUQUE, it opened AREA RESIDENTIAL CARE, INC. and helped plan and implement HILLS AND DALES CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER in 1973. TASK, a short version of "Talk About Special Kids," was founded as a support group for families with children with learning disabilities. (3)

DCARC began in 1953 with 44 members and by 1991 had 357 members including parents, professionals, and people with learning disabilities. In 1991 the association estimated that it helped 1,500 people annually. An agency of the United Way Services, Inc. of Dubuque, DCARC provided counseling for people with learning disabilities and their families, awarded scholarships to students training for a career in special education and provided specific financial assistance for its clients. (4)

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Source:

1. Schmeichel, W. L. (Roy). A Thirty Year History of the Dubuque County Association for Retarded Citizens, Inc. Non-published document.

2. Ibid.

3. Ibid.

4. Ibid.

5. Ibid.

6. Ibid.

2. Lamphier-Hoffert, Denise. "Agency Aids Mentally Retarded, Families," Telegraph Herald, September 4, 1991, p. 3A.

3. Ibid.

4. Ibid.