About

Friendship Ark, Inc. is a private, nonprofit organization established to provide residential and community support for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Central Iowa. Our mission is to celebrate the uniqueness of adults with intellectual disabilities by providing homes and community services. We help these core members reach their fullest potential through faith, family and friendship.

Despite the gains made toward community-based services and away from institutional settings, there is still a demand for high quality community-based services. We continue to evaluate the needs within our community and work to develop the appropriate services to meet those diverse needs.

Friendship Ark's homes are residential options where persons with intellectual disabilities are able to live in small, family-like environments with each other. Designed for four to five adults with intellectual disabilities and two to four assistants, the homes are cost-effective alternatives with distinctive elements: a holistic model of nurture that addresses spiritual and moral as well as physical, emotional, social and intellectual development.

Service fees are funded by the Medicaid Home and Community-Based Waiver Program for persons with intellectual disabilities. Internal and external evaluation processes are used to assure accountability in management and delivery of services. Friendship Ark is certified through the Department of Human Services and accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehab Facilities (CARF).