About Us

Area Residential Care is a non-profit agency headquartered in Dubuque, IA that serves people with mental and/or other developmental disabilities.  The agency was founded by a group of parents, professionals, and friends who wished to provide living and educational facilities for 20 children with disabilities from Dubuque, Jackson, Delaware, and Clayton counties. With Catholic Charities generously allowing the agency use of the St. Mary’s facility, Area Residential Care opened its doors on August 18, 1968 and was one of the first area centers of its kind developed in Iowa.

Today Area Residential Care has grown to serve an average of 300 adults with disabilities in Dubuque, Delaware, and Jackson counties annually. The agency also employs almost 300 staff through its residential, vocational, and day programs in Dubuque, Dyersville and Manchester. Area Residential Care is deeply committed to the following vision, mission, and values that define our philosophy.

Vision

Mission

Values

• Every person has rights and the responsibilities associated with them.
• Every person is to be treated with dignity and respect.
• Every person has unique needs and preferences that influence the choices he or she makes about his or her life and services.
• Every person is to be provided the opportunity to live, work, and participate in recreational activities in the community as the natural environment.
• Every person is to be provided with encouragement, opportunity, and supports to live life to the fullest.
• Every person is to be given the opportunity to provide direct feedback on his or her satisfaction with services, and given a prompt response to concerns.

CARF accredited for residential, vocational, and day programs.