History

For more than 70 years, Flinthills Services has been dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout Butler County. Its roots trace back to 1954, when the Arc of Butler County was established by community members committed to creating opportunities and support for people with developmental disabilities. Flinthills Services was incorporated in 1994, beginning with services for just three individuals. Since then, the organization has grown into a trusted nonprofit based in El Dorado, Kansas, offering residential, day, employment, and community-based programs that empower individuals to live with dignity, independence, and purpose. Today, Flinthills Services continues to build on its legacy of compassion, innovation, and community inclusion while serving people and families across Butler County.

  • 1954

     

    Formation of the ARC of Butler County

    Butler County has a rich history of providing supports and services for individuals with developmental disabilities. In 1954, a group of concerned community members met to form the ARC of Butler County offering the first supports for people with developmental disabilities. Some of those original founding members were instrumental in the organization of what is known today as Flinthills Services, Inc.

  • Flinthills Services, Inc. is Formed

    After being incorporated in January of 1994, Flinthills Services, Inc. began providing supports to 3 people in a community and day setting.

     

    1994

  • 1995

     

    ARC of Butler County Merged Day Programs with Flinthills Services, Inc.

    In 1995, the ARC of Butler County merged its existing day programs with the programs offered by Flinthills Services, Inc. in an effort to maximize personal supports and services.

  • Board of Directors Voted

    In 2006, the Flinthills Services, Inc. Board of Directors voted to separate the service side from the CDDO side of Flinthills Services in order to create an unbiased single-point of entry connecting individuals of all ages with developmental disabilities to the network of service providers in Butler County.

     

    2006

  • 2008

     

    Flinthills Services, Inc. Breaks Ground on Three New Homes

    In February 2008, Flinthills Services, Inc. broke ground on three new multi-individual homes in the City of El Dorado. Completion occurred in October 2008.

  • Flinthills Services, Inc. Groundbreaking

    Groundbreaking took place on our new 20,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility in February 2009. Staff and clients took occupancy of the new building in December 2009.

     

    2009

  • 2012

     

    CARF International Accreditation and New Home Groundbreaking

    In October, 2012, Flinthills Services, Inc. received its first 3-year accreditation from CARF International. CARF accreditation signals a service provider’s commitment to continually improving services, encouraging feedback, and serving the community. Flinthills is the only fully CARF accredited provider in Butler County.

    On December 3, 2012, we broke ground on our newest multi-individual home in the City of El Dorado. Completion occurred April 2013.

  • Opening of Andover Location

    In August 2014, we expanded our area of service to the western side of Butler County by opening a new Day Service site at 1224 N. Andover Road in Andover. Clients at this site enjoy a multitude of activities ranging from community outings to volunteering at the local churches and businesses.

     

    2014

  • 2018

     

    Additional Programs Added Under Umbrella of Flinthills Services, Inc.

    In July 2018, we brought the programs of the Arc of Butler County under the umbrella of Flinthills Services, Inc, including Special Olympics, Circle of Friends activities, teen and adult fun nights.

  • Adoption of New Vision and Branding

    In 2019 we adopted a new Vision Statement of “Living Life with Dignity and Purpose” along with the updating of our logo showcasing our clients waving their banner of successes with the support of our staff lifting them to new heights.

     

    2019