Difference between revisions of "Bridgeport Regional Center"
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In 1966, Clifford P. Lockyer, director of the Regional Center proposed a revolutionary idea for housing at the facility. A series of ranches or split level houses were to be constructed in October of that year, allowing patients to live away from their families in a supportive, group home environment. The units, diametrically opposed, would provide accommodations for a maximum of 16 people and would contain a kitchen, dining room, living room, and family area. In this housing arrangement, patients "should be encouraged to assume responsibilities similar to thse discharged by large families." <ref>Alvarez, Walter C., M.D. "Schools for Mentally Retarded Develops Ability to do Something." The Hartford Courant, sec. Local News: 46B. April 14th, 1966. Digital. Accessed 09/25/2013</ref> | In 1966, Clifford P. Lockyer, director of the Regional Center proposed a revolutionary idea for housing at the facility. A series of ranches or split level houses were to be constructed in October of that year, allowing patients to live away from their families in a supportive, group home environment. The units, diametrically opposed, would provide accommodations for a maximum of 16 people and would contain a kitchen, dining room, living room, and family area. In this housing arrangement, patients "should be encouraged to assume responsibilities similar to thse discharged by large families." <ref>Alvarez, Walter C., M.D. "Schools for Mentally Retarded Develops Ability to do Something." The Hartford Courant, sec. Local News: 46B. April 14th, 1966. Digital. Accessed 09/25/2013</ref> | ||
| − | In 1974, the maximum daily cost per patient was raised by 25% to $130.36, by far the most expensive facility for mental health an mental retardation in the state. <ref>Rhinelander, David H. "State Centers Hike Rates About 25%." The Hartford Courant, sec. Local News: 10. November 28th 1974. Digital. Accessed 09/25/2013. The high costs restricted care to wealthier families, and the facility had many music and art therapy programs that other Connecticut centers did not. Eventually, the regional center split off into a second facility, run by the private organization The Kennedy Center. | + | In 1974, the maximum daily cost per patient was raised by 25% to $130.36, by far the most expensive facility for mental health an mental retardation in the state. <ref>Rhinelander, David H. "State Centers Hike Rates About 25%." The Hartford Courant, sec. Local News: 10. November 28th 1974. Digital. Accessed 09/25/2013.</ref> The high costs restricted care to wealthier families, and the facility had many music and art therapy programs that other Connecticut centers did not. Eventually, the regional center split off into a second facility, run by the private organization The Kennedy Center. |
The Connecticut Department of Mental Retardation took control of the facility some time in the 1980's. | The Connecticut Department of Mental Retardation took control of the facility some time in the 1980's. | ||
Latest revision as of 03:40, 26 September 2013
| Bridgeport Regional Center | |
|---|---|
| Established | 1951 |
| Opened | 1965 |
| Demolished | 200X |
| Current Status | Demolished |
| Building Style | Single Building |
| Alternate Names | The Kennedy Center |
History[edit]
Though the Kennedy Center was founded in 1951 by the Parents and Friend of the Mentally Retarded Stamford Connecticut, the facility on Virginia Avenue in Bridgeport was opened as the Bridgeport Regional Center in 1965.
In 1966, Clifford P. Lockyer, director of the Regional Center proposed a revolutionary idea for housing at the facility. A series of ranches or split level houses were to be constructed in October of that year, allowing patients to live away from their families in a supportive, group home environment. The units, diametrically opposed, would provide accommodations for a maximum of 16 people and would contain a kitchen, dining room, living room, and family area. In this housing arrangement, patients "should be encouraged to assume responsibilities similar to thse discharged by large families." [1]
In 1974, the maximum daily cost per patient was raised by 25% to $130.36, by far the most expensive facility for mental health an mental retardation in the state. [2] The high costs restricted care to wealthier families, and the facility had many music and art therapy programs that other Connecticut centers did not. Eventually, the regional center split off into a second facility, run by the private organization The Kennedy Center.
The Connecticut Department of Mental Retardation took control of the facility some time in the 1980's.
The facility on Virginia Ave was demolished some time in the early 2000's. The Kennedy Center is still open, as well as the
The Kennedy Center[edit]
"In 1943 Mrs. Evelyn Kennedy's first experience in hearing the term 'Mental Retardation' was when her doctor told her "You have a mentally retarded son". Their lives were centered on their son and they soon found out there was no place to turn for help, not even books in the library. When her son Brian was 5 she went to the Superintendent of Schools in Bridgeport only to be told there were no programs for children like hers. Special Classes were for children with IQ's over 50. There was no obligations for children like her son Brian.
On a snowy February night in 1951 12 families came together at Mrs. Kennedy's house to see what they could do for their children. They pleaded with the Board of Appropriations in Bridgeport to help them to keep their children home, and out of that came funds for two classes to start at Columbus School in Bridgeport. These trainable classes were the first of its kind in the New England States. They named their association 'The Parents and Friends of the Mentally Retarded' and held meetings twice a month.
Other communities wanted help in starting their parent groups so they traveled around the state in helping other groups get started. Their next need was a center for a nursery program. The Bridgeport Brass Good Neighbor Fund purchased a lot and with the money they had in their treasury designed and built a building with help from local contractors. It then took 18 months to complete it. Their programs soon expanded to their full capacity and it was time once again to move. The Mayor of Bridgeport gave them 3 acres of land on Virginia Ave. and Washington D.C. gave them a federal grant for $100,000. They also raised $375,000 to cover the cost of the new building. They realized all to soon, after the building opened, that they could not continue the expense, the demand was so intense for services, and it was overwhelming.
Their only alternative was to have the Department of Mental Retardation take the building over and provide the services desperately needed. Evelyn Kennedy made a trip to Hartford to insist that Bridgeport was past due in having a Regional Center. They then turned the building over to the DMR for $50,000 the amount owed on it. That was the beginning of the Bridgeport Regional Center. In 1951 they decided to take the older children and open another facility. They opened in one building, moved later to another one and finally to a factory building on Garden Street in Bridgeport that was donated to them. They also received a donation of about 1 million dollars to renovate the building and The Kennedy Center opened in the early 1970's."[3]
Images of Bridgeport Regional Center[edit]
Main Image Gallery: Bridgeport Regional Center
References[edit]
- ↑ Alvarez, Walter C., M.D. "Schools for Mentally Retarded Develops Ability to do Something." The Hartford Courant, sec. Local News: 46B. April 14th, 1966. Digital. Accessed 09/25/2013
- ↑ Rhinelander, David H. "State Centers Hike Rates About 25%." The Hartford Courant, sec. Local News: 10. November 28th 1974. Digital. Accessed 09/25/2013.
- ↑ http://www.forconn.org/meet_us.html
Links[edit]
- The Center's website: http://www.thekennedycenterinc.org/
