ABOUT US FROM AN HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Bridges BTC was founded in 1956 as the ‘Brevard Training Center’(BTC)  by concerned parents who were unable to find any formal educational services for their children with disabilities other than in large publically funded institutions for the retarded and feeble minded. In taking this momentous step, they joined hundreds of other families around the country who wanted an alternative to the prevailing medical advice which tended to recommend institutionalization.

During the next few decades many of these local programs became chapters of a newly formed organization called The Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC). Brevard Training Center joined and was renamed ‘Arc-Brevard’ and eventually ‘The Arc of Brevard.’

During the 1960’s, the nascent civil rights movement galvanized the disability community and the large institutions became a focal point. The nation’s epiphany perhaps came in 1971 when the Willowbrook Institution in New York State received national media attention for systematically tolerating inhumane conditions, staff and resident intimidation and a general disregard for basic human rights.
 

Advocates, families and industry leaders were galvanized into action and the Federal government responded with new legislative funding known as the ‘Home and Community Based Waiver.’ which offered leveraged federal dollars to states who wrote their own waivers to deliver community based services to children and adults with developmental disabilities.

Most states, including Florida, responded and, as a result, many organizations including The Arc of Brevard were able to expand their services to include group homes, day programs, transportation and supported living. Many other private and public organizations were funded through these state waivers and institutions significantly lost population. Some states even chose to mandate the closing of their institutions.

As part of our 50th year celebrations, the Board, staff, individuals and their families were asked to consider a new name for the Arc of Brevard and the winning entry was ‘Bridges.’ ‘BTC’ was added to our legal
name as an affectionate tribute to those pioneers in the 1950’s.

Today Bridges continues to offer a range of services through the Florida Home and Community Based Waiver. However it has diversified its funding over the years to include the Brevard County School Board, AbilityOne, (NISH), Division of Rehabilitation Services, Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Florida’s RESPECT. It is also one the oldest organizations in Brevard County to receive funding from the United Way of Brevard County.

Our federal, state and local funding, together with our fundraising events and the generosity of our community, has enabled us to serve hundreds of children and adults with disabilities.

We are now poised to introduce our new project, a home for Veterans with disabilities in partnership with the Veteran’s Administration.  We are excited about adding this service to our long tradition of offering a diverse portfolio of programs and services.