The Story of
Stone Belt
Learn about Stone Belt’s founding and development, our principles of service, and our impact on people with developmental disabilities and the communities of South-Central Indiana.
Meeting The Moment
When Carolyn Abbitt was sent home from school in 1956 because teachers didn’t feel they could help her, her parents tried to make the best of it. That’s what parents expected in that era. No requirements existed that allowed children with disabilities to receive special education.
A spark of hope ignited when they learned Dr. Roscoe Smith and his wife, along with others, were working to create a school for their son, Bob, and other children with disabilities. The Abbitts joined and became leaders in the cause. Soon, they formed Stone Belt, and nine children had a place to learn and grow. On March 10, 1959, Stone Belt was established.
A spark of hope ignited when they learned Dr. Roscoe Smith and his wife, along with others, were working to create a school for their son, Bob, and other children with disabilities. The Abbitts joined and became leaders in the cause. Soon, they formed Stone Belt, and nine children had a place to learn and grow. On March 10, 1959, Stone Belt was established.
Through The Years
In November 1958, the Stone Belt Council was organized in the basement of a church by nine families who wanted to provide education for their children. Four months later, in March 1959, the group was incorporated.
The program grew quickly, and in the early 60s, Indiana University authorized the use of the Headley School’s classrooms to the council, and as a school for children with disabilities. In 1960, The Stone Belt Council became a member of the United Fund (now the United Way), and an affiliate of the Indiana Association for Retarded Children (now The Arc of Indiana). In 1968, Joan Burton joined the Headley School as a teacher and member of the board of directors and was later named the organization’s first Executive Director.
The program grew quickly, and in the early 60s, Indiana University authorized the use of the Headley School’s classrooms to the council, and as a school for children with disabilities. In 1960, The Stone Belt Council became a member of the United Fund (now the United Way), and an affiliate of the Indiana Association for Retarded Children (now The Arc of Indiana). In 1968, Joan Burton joined the Headley School as a teacher and member of the board of directors and was later named the organization’s first Executive Director.
In 1970, Stone Belt’s 10th Street building in Bloomington was completed on the IU Campus with county, state, and federal tax dollars. The building housed an educational facility for children, a recycling warehouse, and a sheltered workshop. During this time, federal legislation established the right to education for children with disabilities.
As a result of this monumental policy shift across the country, Stone Belt began transitioning from providing children’s services to adult day program services. In the early 70s, the first residential group homes were opened in small apartments within the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community (IIDC). In the late 70s, Stone Belt partnered with the Lawrence County Arc (LARC) and began offering services for individuals in Bedford.
As a result of this monumental policy shift across the country, Stone Belt began transitioning from providing children’s services to adult day program services. In the early 70s, the first residential group homes were opened in small apartments within the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community (IIDC). In the late 70s, Stone Belt partnered with the Lawrence County Arc (LARC) and began offering services for individuals in Bedford.
In the 1980’s, Stone Belt phased the last school-age class into the public school system, built its first free-standing group homes, and made its first community job placement for a client.
By 1985, Stone Belt entered the next phase of its service to the community as a residential, employment, and day services provider for adults with developmental disabilities. Stone Belt continued to serve children with disabilities in its newly created Infant & Child Developmental Services program and worked to refocus its support efforts towards early intervention. In the late 80s, the Sweet Owen Industries facility was opened to serve individuals in Owen County. Pioneer Joan Burton retired in 1985, and Stone Belt’s second executive director, Elbert Johns, began his tenure.
By 1985, Stone Belt entered the next phase of its service to the community as a residential, employment, and day services provider for adults with developmental disabilities. Stone Belt continued to serve children with disabilities in its newly created Infant & Child Developmental Services program and worked to refocus its support efforts towards early intervention. In the late 80s, the Sweet Owen Industries facility was opened to serve individuals in Owen County. Pioneer Joan Burton retired in 1985, and Stone Belt’s second executive director, Elbert Johns, began his tenure.
In the 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed, expanding rights for community members with disabilities, and cementing community inclusion as a priority for disability advocates and service providers.
Stone Belt opened six more group homes and began its Supported Living program, through which clients choose to live in their own apartments. The community also banded together to fight steep cuts to Medicaid, which would affect group homes.
During this time, Stone Belt also expanded Manufacturing Services to Bedford, allowing individuals with disabilities to participate in piece-work through light manufacturing services. At the same time, community employers began hiring more individuals with developmental disabilities.
Stone Belt opened six more group homes and began its Supported Living program, through which clients choose to live in their own apartments. The community also banded together to fight steep cuts to Medicaid, which would affect group homes.
During this time, Stone Belt also expanded Manufacturing Services to Bedford, allowing individuals with disabilities to participate in piece-work through light manufacturing services. At the same time, community employers began hiring more individuals with developmental disabilities.
In 2004, Stone Belt opened Milestones Clinical Health Resources, which filled the crucial role of offering mental health and behavioral services to those with dual-diagnoses.
Leslie Green began her role as CEO during this time as well, and as Stone Belt’s 3rd CEO, spearheaded new initiatives including Hand in Hand, I Am You, and Project SEARCH.
Stone Belt began offering Community Employment, Supported Living, and Employment Fundamental services in Bartholomew County, expanding services to people throughout South-Central Indiana. At the state level, Indiana formally recognized March as Disability Awareness Month.
Leslie Green began her role as CEO during this time as well, and as Stone Belt’s 3rd CEO, spearheaded new initiatives including Hand in Hand, I Am You, and Project SEARCH.
Stone Belt began offering Community Employment, Supported Living, and Employment Fundamental services in Bartholomew County, expanding services to people throughout South-Central Indiana. At the state level, Indiana formally recognized March as Disability Awareness Month.
In the 2010’s, Milestones services expanded to Bartholomew County, and launched a new mental health service, known as Skills Development, for people with co-occurring developmental disabilities and mental illness.
Stone Belt’s Arts Program grew significantly, with public, large-scale art installations by Stone Belt clients being installed throughout Bloomington.
In 2016, Stone Belt began providing Pre-Employment Transition Services for high school students with disabilities, partnering with over 25 schools and multiple community agencies.
Stone Belt’s Arts Program grew significantly, with public, large-scale art installations by Stone Belt clients being installed throughout Bloomington.
In 2016, Stone Belt began providing Pre-Employment Transition Services for high school students with disabilities, partnering with over 25 schools and multiple community agencies.
In 2020, the term “essential” became a powerful one amid a worldwide pandemic that determined who worked, who stayed home, who kept their job, who lost their benefits, and on and on. Stone Belt met the moment by hosting vaccine clinics, pivoting to offering online programs, and ensuring the health and well-being of clients and staff alike.
In the early 2020’s, Stone Belt also welcomed its 4th CEO, Bitta DeWees, whose focus has remained on community inclusion for clients. As we look to the future, we are confident that the hard-fought rights and acceptance of people with disabilities will persevere through community partnership, and a dedication to inclusion, accessibility, and empowerment for all.
Our Principles of Service
Self-Determination is Essential
Learning Creates Empowerment
All People Have Contributions to Make
Positive Supports Create Long-Term Results
Home-Life Must Be Self-Directed
Employment is a Fundamental Part of Life
Relationship & Social Life Create Quality Life
Learning Creates Empowerment
All People Have Contributions to Make
Positive Supports Create Long-Term Results
Home-Life Must Be Self-Directed
Employment is a Fundamental Part of Life
Relationship & Social Life Create Quality Life