2025 Health Care Champions Health Care Organization – Large: The Arc of the Ozarks

The Arc of the Ozarks aims to coordinate care while supporting children, adults and families across all medical, behavioral and social service systems, according to Director of Development Karen Ruff.

“Disability services are health care,” Ruff says. “We address the full spectrum of needs that influence health – from mobility and nutrition to diagnostic and treatment-specific services across the lifespan.”

Ruff says partnerships are key to fulfilling the health care needs of people with disabilities – and that includes medical and support professionals, families and the individuals themselves. The model includes advocacy to help people find their way through systems like Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income and managed care.

“The Arc is not a traditional health care model,” Ruff says. “We strive to be a beacon for access to those that are unable to find their way in a system that is often complicated and difficult to navigate and understand what they even need.”

The Arc of the Ozarks was founded in 1964. It was born from conversations around a kitchen table among parents of children with disabilities. These parents were seeking resources for their children as well as a sense of belonging for them, Ruff says.

From its humble start, the Arc has grown to include two campuses in Springfield, plus regional offices in Monett, Joplin, Kansas City and St. Charles, Ruff says.

In 2024, the Arc established its Autism and Neurodevelopmental Center to include neurological, behavioral health, mental health and therapeutic services. Prior to its opening, some families were forced to remain on long waitlists and travel hundreds of miles to be evaluated, Ruff says.

“We continue operating because our mission remains as urgent and relevant as ever: to support individuals with disabilities in directing their own lives as valued members of the community,” Ruff says.

In August, the Arc began offering autism evaluations in Spanish and is the only center in the state to do so, Ruff says. Last year, the Arc introduced some new therapies, including transcranial magnetic stimulation, esketamine therapy and cranial electrotherapy, Ruff says. She adds that the new programs are expected to draw families from across the state, enhancing economic development while positioning Springfield as a hub for specialized care.

The Arc aims to be a leader in service delivery for people with disabilities by providing an array of support and services to integrate them into their communities while enhancing their quality of life, according to Ruff.

“This mission is not just words – it’s our daily motivation,” Ruff says. “We are continually listening, adapting and evolving to meet the needs of the disability community, because we believe every person deserves the opportunity to thrive.”