In June of 1969, a group of interested persons began meeting to discuss the community living needs of young adults with developmental disabilities. This group, comprised of parents, special education teachers, vocational counselors, and concerned citizens, quickly concluded that transitional housing and training in independent living skills would be necessary for the personal success of young people graduating from the special education programs of local schools.
With organizational assistance and sponsorship from the Lane Association for Retarded Children, (now known as ARC or Lane County) and the financial assistance of local benefactor John Alvord, the first group home was opened in October of 1970. The organization was incorporated in May 1974 with the mission of providing residential training programs for adults with developmental disabilities in the Eugene-Springfield Area.
In the early 1970's, social changes and federal legislations were the impetus for a national movement to de-institutionalize persons with mental retardation and other disabilities. These individuals, previously deemed incapable of thriving in their home communities, would present a new challenge to the organization as they required an intensive level of support and training. In October, 1974, the corporation opened its second group home and began providing services to ten people selected for release from state institutions under this pilot project. The success of de-institutionalization and community integration along with public education and understanding, have resulted in community-based services for most children and adults with developmental disabilities, and the continued release of persons previously considered to be in need of institutional services.
The services provided by Alvord-Taylor Inc. expanded once again in May 1980 when another pilot project evolved into the Independent Living Program. This program is designed to meet the needs of persons who had already learned basic independent living skills but who also required continued support and training to be successful in their own homes and apartments. The Independent Living Program provides services to persons leaving the group homes, parental homes, or other programs.
Founded to serve a small segment of the population of citizens with developmental disabilities, the organization has repeatedly responded to changing social values and the evolving needs of the community. Alvord Taylor, Inc. continues to provide state-of-the-art, individualized residential training programs for persons with developmental disabilities in our community.