Horizons of Okaloosa County
Horizons is our local ARC agency. Founded originally in the 1950’s by parents of mentally and physically handicapped children, these parents developed programs providing education, training and support for their children and soon became the Association of Retarded Citizens (Arc) of Okaloosa County.
Horizons of Okaloosa County grewout of this strong foundation and was established in 1992. Our goal is to provide valued services including advocacy, education and support for people with disabilities, their families, and others in the community. We enable people to live, work, play as we do through opportunities for choice and realization of goals. We offer our clients the opportunity to be as independent as possible. By serving children and adults with various disabilities including severe to mild Mental Retardation, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Autism, Williams Syndrome and Sensory Impairments. Our programs include supported employment, vocational training, 3 adult day training facilities in Ft Walton Beach, Crestview and Milton, companion services, 5 group homes, a Children’s Center and supported living facilities.
On June 1st, 2015, Horizons will be re-branding to The Arc of the Emerald Coast, and it will encompass all of our services in Okaloosa, Walton and Santa Rosa Counties. We will still be offering only the best of services to our intellectually and developmentally disabled clients.
Horizons vision has served as the standard bearer for other ARC agencies with the highest ethics and professionalism to guide us. Thanks to our community business partners, wonderful organizations such as Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation, United Way, Impact 100 and the Emerald Coast Foundation, the future here at The Arc of the Emerald Coast is bright!
Our Mission: “To develop a path from disability to capability so that people of all ages can work, play, learn, achieve personal goals and lead meaningful lives”.