We began in Bridgeport in 1955 as a therapy treatment program for children with cerebral palsy, and have evolved to become a major provider in Southern Connecticut of specialized lifelong education and therapeutic programs for children and adults with multiple developmental disabilities and special health care needs.
As a subsidiary of the St. Vincent’s Medical Center since 1987, we extend the system’s circle of care and support to individuals and their families challenged by special needs through all ages and stages of life.
Whenever possible, our programs are inclusive, offering individuals with special needs and those without special needs opportunities to participate in activities side by side, learning from each other. In all our programs, we are committed to assisting those with special needs to live as fully and independently as each is able in the richness of community life.
Our staff are creative, caring and highly competent professionals and paraprofessionals dedicated to supporting those we assist to become all they can be. They include special education teachers and assistants, physical and occupational therapists, speech/language pathologists, adult day program specialists and assistants, job coaches, residential direct care counselors, registered and licensed practical nurses, family support facilitators, and other specialists in the education, health and human services fields.
Our programs for children and their families originate from the FEROLETO Children’s Development Center in Trumbull, Connecticut. We also offer an Adult Day Program in Stratford with several sites for supported employment located within businesses and corporations in the community. Our eight group homes for adults are located in Bridgeport, Trumbull, Stratford, Shelton, Monroe, and Newtown. Two residential homes for children with multiple disabilities and complex medical needs who require 24 hour nursing care are located in Trumbull and Stratford.
More than 400 children, adults and their families come through our doors to attend programs and receive services each year.
We are a 501(c)(3) organization and accept charitable gifts for the development and support of new and existing programs that address the needs and enrich the lives of those individuals we assist.