The Allegheny County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children (PARC) was a voluntary, non-profit organization formed in 1950. The chapter was founded by a group of families with children affected by mental retardation. The group was originally named Friends of the Mentally Retarded. It wasn't until 1956 that Friends of the Mentally Retarded became a local chapter of PARC, renaming itself the Allegheny County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children. The goal of the chapter was to promote the general welfare of mentally retarded children of all ages in western Pennsylvania, regardless of race, color or creed. This was done in communities, institutions both public and private, and religious schools. PARC also sought to further the advancement of research and therapy in the field of mental retardation. The chapter was responsible for creating a better understanding of the problems associated with mentally retarded children by reaching out to the public. The chapter elected its first officers in May, 1951 although it actually began with temporary officers in the fall of 1950. By the mid 1950s, the chapter had developed services such as sheltered workshops, camping opportunities and day classes established in the Pittsburgh Board of Education, the Allegheny County School System, and the Catholic Diocesan Schools. These classes gave children the opportunity for further education in a safe environment. Swimming classes and summer camp activities were created for families and their children at the Brashear Association Camp and the David B. Oliver Pool. PARC also initiated the first teacher-training program in Pennsylvania for the education of mentally retarded children. PARC changed its name to Association of Retarded Children (ARC) of Allegheny County in the 1980s. This organization is still in operation to date.
From the description of Records of Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children, Allegheny County Chapter , 1952-1965. (University of Pittsburgh). WorldCat record id: 30680723
