• HARC was founded in 1951 by parents and friends of children with intellectual disability when the only help available to families was large institutional placement. Children in these state-run institutions legally became wards of the state and often lived long distances from their families.

• Public education was not mandated for children with disabilities. Local schools routinely excluded children if they were not toilet trained, exhibited behavioral issues, or simply could not "benefit" from an education. In 1978, after a landmark Supreme Court case (PARC v. Pennsylvania, 1971) found such discrimination illegal, Congress enacted a law, currently titled Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, mandating free and appropriate education for children with disabilities from ages 3 to 21.

• Following in the footsteps of this landmark "right to education" decision, the Supreme Court has since found that people with intellectual disability who reside in training schools and other congregate facilities have a right to habilitative treatment (Pennhurst v. Halderman, 1981) and the right to live in the community if they so choose (Olmstead v. L.C. and E.W., 1999).

• As a result of similar litigation, Connecticut closed Mansfield State Training School. However, the State of Connecticut still operates large regional centers as well as Southbury Training School.

HARC provides a full array of programs and services for people with intellectual disabilities and their families. Services begin at birth and continue throughout the life span:

• Infant Intervention - birth-to-three services, including evaluation and therapies

• Family Support - social services, respite care, advocacy, and case management.

• Recreation - year round evening and weekend programs for children and adults

• Supported Employment - collaborations with area businesses

• Bulova Center - employment development, wellness programs, physical and occupational therapy, sensory integration, computer center

• Residential Services - group homes and supported living in condos and apartments

• Behavioral Health Services - specialized licensed out-patient mental health center

• Elderly Enrichment - volunteer and recreational activities for retired workers.

 Funding

HARC’s primary source of funding is through fee-for-service contracts with the State of Connecticut. This funding supports primarily residential, vocational, and birth-to-three services. There are significant gaps between the cost of providing services and the rates that are awarded by the State.

• Annual Fund/Membership financial support

• HARC Foundation support - through donations and participation on the Foundation Advisory Board

• Sponsorship/contribution to our major fundraising auction and walkathon – and/or committee involvement

• Volunteerism - direct services or committee work

• Advocacy

Additional Information

Official Name:  Harc, Inc.