The Dartmouth Association for the Help of Retarded Children was established in October 1956 in Dartmouth, N.S. by a group of parents interested in establishing educational services for children with mental disabilities. It opened its first classroom at Grace United Church. In 1960 the Department of Education assumed responsibility for the education of mentally challenged children. However, the branch remained actice, lobbying for an increased number of classes in the school system, and establishing a pre-school program in 1966. Other activities included operating vocational training centres and workshops such as the Activity Centre and later Dartmouth Adult Services Centre. The branch opened its first group home on Hawthorne Street in May 1977, which later became part of the Regional Residential Services Society. The organization has had several changes in name and jurisdiction. In 1958 it became a local branch of the Nova Scotia Association for Retarded Children. From 1962 it operated under the name Canadian Association for Retarded Children, Dartmouth Branch. It was re-named the Canadian Association for the Mentally Retarded, Dartmouth Branch in 1968 to reflect its commitment to serving mentally challenged persons of all ages. In 1987, the national association adopted its current name of the Canadian Association for Community Living and the Dartmouth branch became the Halifax Association for Community Living.