The Children's Center of Hamden history

1854- With New Haven’s population swelling to 20,000, mostly because of an increase in the number of immigrants, the need for more space led to the move to a larger building.

Even though the children were separated from the community smallpox infected many in 1856.

In 1866 the Gentleman Advisers of the Asylum sponsored “An Act for the Relief of Soldiers’ Children”, and is believed to be the 1st time in Connecticut history that a private social agency brought about constructive social legislation on its own initiative.

In 1875 William Reynolds arrived to the Asylum as a 4 year old.

By 1877 the concept of foster care was introduced.

In 1891 the Asylum opened the first kindergarten in New Haven.

In 1905 the custom of Donation Day ended after the City of New Haven deemed that the endowment fund of $30,000.

In 1916 the first large fundraising campaign in New Haven was organized to raise funds to expand the Asylum once again.

In 1923 a convalescent unit was opened to care for crippled children and soon after cardiac cases as well.

In 1943, during the polio epidemic, the convalescent unit was filled with post-hospital patients receiving the Sister Kenney Treatment.

In 1949 an on-grounds school was opened to respond to the needs of more and more children who were determined to be emotionally disturbed and have learning disabilities.

The unit remained opened for 34 years, closing in 1957.

In 1968 The Whitney Hall School was approved by The State Department of Education

In 1969 The Connecticut General Assembly voted to change the name of the New Haven Orphan Asylum to The Children’s Center

In 1981 the Center began providing day treatment for 12 children who lived at home but commuted to the Hamden campus 5 days per week for education and treatment

In 1985 a unique 45-day intensive outpatient program for 13 adolescents struggling with substance use opened as Wakeman Hall.

A satellite school opened (with 5 students) in 1990 in the basement of the First Congregational Church in Branford.

In 1992 the inpatient unit was forced to close as insurance companies began to manage treatment and refused to recognize inpatient treatment as a necessary level of care.

In 1997 a $2.1 million Student Center is dedicated, representing the first new construction in 70 years at the Hamden campus.

2003-A Crisis Stabilization Bed Unit for children and teens, one of two in CT, opened and was named CARE

In 2006 a therapeutic group home, The Gatehouse, opened for boys

2007– A partnership developed with the UCONN Department of Psychiatry, The Children’s Center offering 6 months of residency for doctors training to become child psychiatrists.

2008-The Extended Day Treatment Program expanded to serve more children living in the community.

2010 Vocational programming was enhanced at The Whitney Hall School

2011– The Parent Project- a 10 week class for parents of youth engaged in risky behaviors was offered to families in the Greater New Haven area

2013 – Substance Use treatment programs at The Center began to offer evidenced based treatment.

2016-The Extended Day Treatment Program license expanded to 62 children.

2017- The Gatehouse Group home closed and re-opened as Casa Rios, a group home for 4 women with intellectual disabilities.