New Haven Regional Center
| New Haven Regional Center | |
|---|---|
| Opened | 1965 |
| Closed | 1992 |
| Current Status | Closed |
| Building Style | Single Building |
| Alternate Names | New Haven Center for Retarded Children |
History[edit]
The New Haven Regional Center for the Mentally Retarded was opened in Fall of 1965 in New Haven Connecticut. It was opened alongside the Bridgeport Regional Center and a center in Putman Connecticut. Dr. Walter C. Alvarez wrote, in regard to the opening of the three new facilities, “experts are advocating the the building of small centers that will permit the retarded children to remain near his home, or even in it.”[1]
The facility housed children with moderate developmental disabilities and the average IQ of residents was 60. The center stressed the involvement of family and enrichment, preparing children for life outside of the facility.
In the summer of 1971, the first halfway house of the regional centers in Connecticut was established on Crown Street in New Haven. Eight women from New Haven Regional were transferred to the Marrakech group home, under the supervision of Dr. Seymour Sarason of the Yale Psycho-Educational Clinic and New Haven Regional Center staff. The success of this pilot program sparked interest in similar facilities across the state.[2]
New Haven Regional Center closed in the summer of 1992. Patients from the center were moved into 36 group homes, along with the patients from Mansfield Training School.[3] The property now contains the New Haven Job Corps. Several buildings have been added since the closure of the center.
Images of New Haven Regional Center[edit]
Main Image Gallery: New Haven Regional Center
References[edit]
- ↑ Alvarez, Walter C., M.D. "Schools for Mentally Retarded Develops Ability to do Something." Spokane Daily Chronicle, sec. Medical Column: 4. June 27th, 1966 1966. Print.
- ↑ Marrakech, Inc. "Marrakech- The History." Marrakech, Inc. 2013.Web. <http://www.marrakechinc.org/our-history.html>.
- ↑ Williams, Larry. "Budget Options Offer Taxpayers Gain, but Pain." The Hartford Courant, sec. Local News: 3. February 2, 1992. Print.
