Mission and Vision
The Center for Family Support is committed to providing support and assistance to individuals with developmental and related disabilities, and to the family members who care for them.
To achieve our mission, we strive to:
- Support individuals to live the lives they want
- Respect diversity, individual choice and overall family needs
- Provide families with the support they need at all stages of life
- Involve individuals in their communities
- Deliver excellent, individualized support to all
Our Vision
The Center for Family Support is recognized as effective in helping people with developmental and related disabilities achieve self-determination. We have a reputation for trust, caring and excellence among individuals and families, regulators, colleague agencies, and general public.
Our History
In 1954 a small group of parents founded The Center for Family Support to meet the special needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. The original intention of the organization was to provide respite services to individuals in order to maintain their loved ones at home. The organization was founded by a pioneer in the field, Irene Arnold, who headed CFS until 1972. During that time, she focused on breaking up large facilities and bringing support into small group homes and into the homes and communities of families.
Following Irene’s founding principles, in the later part of the 1990’s, The Center for Family Support began to develop residential alternatives for special populations. Over the years, The Center for Family Support has expanded its services, and now provides a wide array of residential and community support programs in New York and New Jersey. CFS operates dozens of small residential facilities; community day programs; in-home services; congregate day programs; and self-directed supports. CFS services are funded by the Medicaid Waiver and through contracts with OPWDD, the New York City Office of Health and Mental Hygiene, NY State Department of Health and New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities.
Today, CFS staff provide assistance and support to about 1,400 individuals with developmental disabilities of all ages in their home across New York and New Jersey.
