In the 1970s, America experienced a huge shift in the population of the developmentally disabled. Those who lived in institutions were transitioned back into the community where they needed support, and provider agencies slowly began to develop across the country. 

Nova Center of the Ozarks, Inc was founded in the early 1990s by a group of parents in Southwest Missouri who were experiencing the lack of services available for their children with autism. While there is still focus on autism and challenging behaviors, Nova Center of the Ozarks borders have expanded to serve individuals with many diagnoses. Residential services were the first to be provided, but over the years a Day Habilitation program and Behavior Team (led by Board Certified Analysts) have developed and become an integral part of the Nova Center of the Ozarks family.