The Arc was founded in 1949 by parents concerned about the exclusion of their children with mental retardation from public services that are readily available to children without disabilities.  Since 1949, the programs and services of the Arc have evolved to address the ever changing and expanding array of issues affecting all persons with mental retardation and developmental disabilities, as well as their families.  The programs of The Arc of the Capital Area provide a continuum of care from birth to adulthood, from parents helping parents, to their program case managers helping individuals with disabilities cope with the world around them; the programs of the Arc address the most critical and basic needs of the children and adults they serve.