Mission and Values
Open Arms Care supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to reach their maximum potential and lead dignified and meaningful lives.
1. Clients come first. They are why we exist.
2. Employees are Key. Our Employees are “Key” to our Clients’ success. Our Employees are “Key” to OAC’s success. Our Employees are “Key” to each other’s success. Effective communication is essential. Team commitment and support is vital.
3. Do the right thing. Our aim is to have a reputation for holding the highest standards in our field. Our standards and ethics are high and we hold each other to them. Honesty, Integrity, Mutual Respect and Self Respect are for the clients’ sake and for our own. We will be professional in all of our relationships.
4. Innovation is valued. Our clients are where they are today because someone sought a better way to provide services.
History
The late eighties marked a time of great change in the model of care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. State run institutionalization was being replaced by community based, client centric care models. In 1988, founding board members of Open Arms Care Corporation; a 501 C (3) nonprofit sought to build community homes, referred to as Intermediate Care Facilities, to meet the lifelong needs of transitioning residents.
OAC was approved for thirty-two licenses representing 256 beds in Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis and Nashville areas. Ground breaking on the 32 group homes began in 1989 and took two years to complete. Each home houses eight individuals and is supported by a qualified and dedicated staff who provide twenty-four hour supervision and programming support in order for residents to live successfully within their community. Currently OAC occupies one third of all the ICF beds approved in the state of Tennessee.
Residents of Open Arms come from all across the state, from their family homes, skilled nursing facilities and the last of the remaining institutions. In fact, Greene Valley Developmental Center, the last of its kind in Tennessee, closed in 2016.
Open Arms Care was awarded the opportunity to serve thirty-six more clients. This represents a significant commitment by the state to the Intellectual and Developmentally Disabled community and we are honored to have been selected for this important responsibility.
Financial Support
Open Arms Care has continuously served its residents 24/7 for more than twenty-five years. Many residents have lived with us for that entire time. Most of the financial support for the care of our residents comes from the State of Tennessee in the form of TennCare Program Services fees.
Fundraising through support of our OAC Foundation events, and the generosity of corporations, parent and family donations, the employees of Open Arms Care and individual donors makes up the difference.
Our most recent accomplishments include:
- Opening 9 new homes
- Establishing a line of credit
- Raising 20 million dollars to support the OAC cause
