1976 - Agency incorporated and day services initiated in the old Tanner School Budding of Newport. The Board was composed of representatives from Cocke, Jefferson and Sevier Counties, with Reverend Bob Preston being the original Board Chairperson.

1978 - Agency moved out of Tanner School Building into the old Boyds Creek Elementary School, in Sevier County. Clients from all three counties continued to be transported daily to one location.

1979 - Agency opened satellite day center in Newport with new slots from Department of Human Services. Newport Group Home for eight mentally retarded men was opened. Jefferson City Group Home for eight mentally retarded men was opened.

1980 - Sevierville Group Home for ten mentally retarded women was opened.

1981 - Level IV apartment for two clients was opened in Cocke County. Two clients graduated out of the Newport Group Home into this more normalized environment. Douglas Cooperative consolidated with the Blount County Center for the handicapped. Existing Day Center for mentally retarded adults and co-ed group home for eight citizens was incorporated into existing organizational structure. The Board of Directors was reorganized to include five representatives from each of the four counties.

1982 - T.H.D.A. funded group home was constructed and opened to replace existing Sevierville Group Home.

1984 - Douglas Residence, a H.U.D. funded apartment for thirteen elderly and handicapped citizens was opened in Jefferson City. Two additional Level IV Sheltered Apartments were opened, one each in Maryville and Newport.

1985 - A new eight unit H.U.D. funded group home was constructed in Cocke County. Eight mentally retarded men moved into the house and the "old" facility on Hiawassee Street was placed on the market for sale. Two pre-school programs for handicapped children were started. Ten children in Newport and Sevierville receive specialized services incorporated into an existing day care facility to prepare them for public education. Federal grant from Health and Human Services was implemented to provide work training and employment to handicapped adults. Transition assistance Project, a three year project, is dedicated to finding competitive employment for developmentally disabled adults, through cooperative funding sources. Window Blanket, Inc., a private for profit company manufacturing insulated draperies, was purchased and moved to the Maryville Workshop. The business will employ handicapped citizens and act as a training program to prepare clients for competitive employment. Construction was completed on a new Sevier County sheltered Workshop and Administrative Building. A Small Business Administration loan allowed the agency to independently finance (without state aid) the facility which was built with the guidance and cooperation of Sevier County Board Members. Two additional Level IV Sheltered Apartments (for 2 people each) were opened, one each in Maryville and Sevierville.

1986 - A new eight unit HUD funded group home was constructed in Jefferson County. This home was occupied by mentally retarded adult men. Plans were made to construct a new residential facility in Maryville. A federally funded grant from O.S.E.R.S. was received to initiate a model program for transition services of handicapped students 18 -22 years old. This three-year grant was one of only four nationwide and helped to develop a strong relationship the Sevier County School System.

1987 - Purchase of site and negotiation of HUD contract for new group home for nine clients in Maryville. Development of a VR grant for training of job coaches and VR contracts for job coaching services, work adjustment (workshop and community based), evaluation and preemployment classes. Placement of over 100 clients into community work sites during first two years of Transition Assistance Project. Replication initiated in Jefferson, Cocke and Blount counties of interagency organization developed in Sevier County by the Transition Assistance Project. Conversion of traditional workshops to vocational facilities offering an array of service options designed to foster integration, productivity and independence. Development of ongoing support services fro clients in supported employment. Reorganization of administration and service system including a county director for each of four counties served by Douglas Cooperative and a comprehensive revision of policies and procedures manual for full compliance with Quality Assurance and Licensure Standards. Achievement of highest client payroll in Douglas' history and addition of paid holidays to client benefits.

1988 - Initiation of computerized client data, programs and client payroll utilizing time-clocks and other industrial procedures. Development of new staffing patterns in group homes for full compliance with standards in 1988-89 with increased funding. (September) Development of day programs in Jefferson County. (December) New Maryville Group Home (Honey Alexander) for nine clients opened.

1989 - Placement of 34 clients into community through VR Grant I July 1, 89 - June 30, 90.

1990 - Two additional VI-C Slots procured through Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (current total 10). Eight Follow Along slots for provision of support services after job placement, through Department of Mental Health/Mental Retardation. Dr. Steve Smith transfers warranty deed for land located at Headrick Drive for use by DCI. DCI begins process of procuring loan funds for 5,00 square foot center in Newport. Jefferson County procures leased space on Old Andrew Johnson Highway for day program workshop. This is the first day program with centralized workshop location offered in Jefferson County by DCI.

1991 - (July) Grant 11 through Vocational Rehabilitation procured to provide transitional services for high school students ages 16 - 2 1. Goals of the grant are to provide job development and placement services for a 52 month period. (September) Vocational Rehabilitation Grant I for job coaching and job placement services for adults ends after 52 month period. Goals of Grant I (placement and services) were met and exceeded. (October) Sevier pre-school program ends due to attendance problems. Slots are transferred to Cocke County where 8 children now receive services through DCI contract with Jolly Tots Day Care. Jefferson County day program acquires additional square footage at Old Andrew Johnson Highway location to be used for office space.

1992 - (May) Maryville center is relocated from Old Everett Mgh School Building to Cusick Street location after major renovations are completed on 10,000 square foot rental space. (July) DMIRVIR contract now provides funding for 98 Adult Day, 19 Follow Along, 8 Child Day, 35 Level H group home and 8 Level IV slots. VR Contract for Supported Employment now provides funding for 10 individuals. (August) McSpadden Inc., general contractor begins construction of 5,000 square foot building in Newport, with projected completion date, January, 1993. (September) Contracts are negotiated with Maryville and Alcoa school systems to serve six students at the Cusick Street location. VR Transition Grant 11 exceeds goals by serving 48 student and providing job placement for 9 during first year of grant. Douglas Residence was legally transferred to Douglas Cherokee Economic Authority. (November) Due to contract procurement and numerous job training sites, client payroll totals are higher than ever.

1993 - (January) Newport Center is completed and occupied. (July) Douglas Cooperative receives VR Grant III and begins to provide vocational training and placement services to adults in Cocke, Jefferson and Blount counties. Three Job Coaches are trained to administer grant. (July) DCI subcontracts Emory Valley Center to provide Family Support Services in the Four county service area. VR Grant III Job Placement procured.

1993 - (March) DCI begins work with Blount Industrial Board to identify site for center in Maryville. (July) The TDM11MR contract provides funding for 102 Adult Day, 27 Follow Along, 8 Child Day, 37 level H Residential and 8 Level IV slots. The Vocational Rehabilitation VI-C Slot program is changed to performance based program. Began VR Grant IV and completed initial request for renovation of Sevier Center. Developed Supported Employment and Community based work.

1995 - (January) Rittenhouse Corporation donates land in the Jefferson County industrial Park to DCI. Completed renovation of Sevier County Center. Moved into new Maryville Center located on Home Avenue.