Early Years
1968— In January 1968, a group of citizens from Dubois, Perry, Spencer, and Warrick Counties met to discuss alternatives for their mentally retarded teenagers and adults. Through a series of meetings, the concept of an organization, its philosophy and course of action began. SIRS, then standing for Southern Indiana Retarded Services, was created to offer activities, training, and opportunity for those with mental retardation.
1969—In January 1969, SIRS, Inc. became incorporated and piloted its first activity center in a vacant two-story house in Tell City , Indiana .
1970—In order to expand services and increase the number of individuals served, SIRS moved its Perry County services to an old furniture store in downtown Tell City .
The Warrick County Association for Retarded Citizens (WARC) converted the old Warrick County jail in Boonville into an appropriate gathering space for SIRS services.
A third center opened at the Marian Heights Academy in Ferdinand to accommodate adults in Dubois County . SIRS expanded its scope of services to include preschool age children. The first preschool started in Trinity United Church of Christ in Jasper, Indiana .
1971—In order to serve children in Dubois, Perry and Spencer counties, the existing preschool was moved to Dale , Indiana , a centralized location for the three counties.
1972/73—Due to increased enrollments, the Warrick County Adult Center moved to St. Clement’s School in Boonville.
Efforts in Dubois County determined the need to construct a building that offered the space to needed to serve the growing numbers of individuals participating in SIRS services there. Land was donated in the Ferdinand Industrial Park . Funds were raised. Plans were developed for a new Dubois County Training Center .
1974—The Dubois County Training Center was completed and occupied. Similar plans were developed to construct a new Adult Training Center with an administrative wing in Warrick County .
1975/76—Land was donated by Peabody Coal Co. on South Folsomville Road in Boonville. After much fundraising, groundbreaking ceremonies were held, and services in Warrick County were expanded to include people with physical and emotional disabilities.
Plans for the construction of an industrial facility to serve adults from Perry and Spencer counties were discussed.
In 1976 the decision was made to change SIRS name of Southern Indiana Retardation Services, Inc. to Southern Indiana Rehabilitation Services, Inc. to better reflect the clientele served.
1977/78—Architectural designs were developed, grant applications were made, and fundraising activities began to facilitate the new industrial building. It was determined the building would be located in Troy , Indiana in Perry County .
SIRS expanded its children’s services to include infants. Services to infants were provided in the family’s home.
1979—The new Perry/Spencer industrial facility was completed.
