Residential and Support
Services for Persons
with Developmental Disabilities

Program History, Mission and Goals

Founded in September of 1988 to provide assisted living services for developmentally disabled adults, our community residences are first and foremost homes.

Residents have a wide range of ability levels from severely retarded to mild cognitive impairment and many residents have additional, sometimes severe, physical disabilities and handicaps. We help each resident develop the confidence and self-esteem to reach the greatest possible level of independence.

Customized Program Plans and a Team Approach

We create individual program plans that accommodate the special needs of each resident, while focusing on the acquisition and development of daily living skills. Each resident’s treatment team includes a coordinator, all staff working at the site, the resident, and any family members or persons close to that resident. A personal goal is identified by the resident, and a teaching strategy is developed and written out so staff on all shifts can coordinate their efforts to help the resident achieve his or her goal. Residents are encouraged to continue to set new personal goals and strive to develop greater self-sufficiency, self-confidence, and independence.

Residents are part of the greater community in which they live

Our program encourages residents to see themselves as valuable members of their community. During the day, they may be employed or they may participate in day treatment programs or workshops. Three of our homes are for individuals with severe medical or other issues and these homes offer self-contained customized personal enrichment activities.

Weekends and evenings are spent in similar ways to all of their neighbors – chores, grocery shopping, visiting with family, attending religious services, perhaps going to a movie or the park, or just relaxing. Residents use local banks, shops, libraries, post offices, doctors, and pharmacies.

Residents help others in need

Residents of one of our homes earned the money to provide a Christmas dinner at St. Elizabeth House shelter for the homeless in Hartford through craft items they made and then sold at our annual Pasta Dinner.

Some residents also make crafts and gifts for senior citizens. They are advised by local convalescent homes of the names of seniors with no local family who would welcome visits. Our residents visit these seniors on birthdays and holidays with a card and a gift.

Through these and other enrichment activities, our residents experience the good feelings we get from helping others, and they are able to give back to the community in which they live.