Our Heritage

Innovative Services NW, formerly called Clark Care and Development or CCDC, began operations in 1963 as a group of parents of children and adults with disabilities that were determined to provide opportunities for them. This pioneering effort resulted in the establishment of an agency (Encore Group NW) dedicated to support adults with disabilities find meaningful employment in the community. Encore remains dedicated to supporting adults with disabilities find employment, provide job skill training and continued support to them and their families. These services have expanded to include significant work with the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation and local high schools in transitioning students with disabilities to the work force. Promoting community acceptance of people with disabilities and valuing the contribution they make through employment and other actions remains a core value for Innovative Services NW.

Recognizing that providing physical, occupational and speech therapies during the formative years of birth to three years help to significantly reduce the delay, CCDC initiated a separate agency, (Vancouver Children’s Therapy Center) devoted to providing therapy to children with developmental delays, utilizing a center based medical model. Additional services such as parenting classes, respite care and a variety of other related therapies were added to meet community needs.

Recognizing that parents of children with developmental delays frequently had difficulty finding a day care facility that would accept their child, VCTC initiated a day care program (Kids Care) that accepts children with disabilities as well as typically developing children, promoting acceptance in an inclusive environment. This also readily accommodates delivery of therapy services in natural environments as appropriate.

Continuing to recognize community needs, the Clark County Caring Connection program was established to provide respite care to families in crisis, particularly where children or adults have disabilities. The Caring Connections Agency has grown to include Case Aide for Foster Children, Supervised Visitation Services, Parent Coalition, Nurturing Parenting Classes for parents in substance abuse recovery and our latest addition, the Adult Day Health Center serving adults who need daytime assistance.