Founded in 1984, our nonprofit helps people with developmental disabilities thrive & live.

It is the mission of Community Residences Inc. to develop and operate quality community-based support services for children and adults, that values the individual, promotes independence, and maximizes personal choice and potential.

What We Provide

Foster Care & Adoption Services.

We serve children who have been abused, neglected, and have experienced trauma; children who have behavioral and emotional needs above and beyond those of the “average” child.

Residential Services.

We provide a variety of services in multiple arrangements to support the living needs of adults living with developmental disabilities.

Employment & Skill Development.

We provides tailored day and vocational programs for individuals with support needs, enhancing skills and independence.

Our History

In 1984 Community Residences Inc. (CRI) was incorporated in the State of Connecticut as a not-for-profit human services agency whose mission is to develop and manage day and residential services for people with developmental disabilities (DD). At that time, there was a significant increase in the need for day and residential services for adults with Intellectual Disabilities.

In 1987, CRI opened the Newington Day Program. This program was designed to serve people who had significant development and medical challenges. This community based program provided a high level of care, and had clinical supports such as nursing, occupational, physical and speech therapy. CRI has expanded day services and operates a number of day programs that serve, in total 150 people.

CRI contracted with DDS to open Community Companion Homes (CCH) for people living at Southbury Training School in 1993. A CCH is essentially a shared living home for an adult with a developmental disability. CRI provides on-going support and supervision to the individual and the host family. CRI currently operates 75 Community Training Homes around the State.

In 1994 CRI took over the operation of its first Supported Living Arrangement now known as In Home Supports (I H S) and Continuous Residential Supports (CRS). An IHS or CRS is a situation where an individual lives in his or her own apartment with staff support hours based on Level of Need. CRI currently supports approximately 25 people in In Home Supports around the State.

CRI opened the first of ultimately ten (10) Intermediate Care Facility-Intellectual Disability (ICF-ID) Group Homes in 1991. These homes support people that have complex needs including: developmental, physical and medical challenges. ICF-ID group homes are licensed by the Connecticut Department of Developmental Disabilities (DDS) and the Connecticut State Health Department.

In 1992 CRI opened the first of many Community Living Arrangements (CLAs). These homes provide 24-hour staffing and support individuals that range in age from young adults to seniors who have significant behavioral, medical or developmental needs. In total CRI has opened and operates twenty eight (28) CLA homes across CT.

CRI was licensed by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF) to approve and place children ages 0-18 in foster homes in 1994. This program is designed to support children that have developmental, behavioral, or medical challenges. Currently CRI is the largest provider of Therapeutic Foster Care in the State.

In addition, in 2001 CRI entered into an agreement with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to facilitate adoptions for children in the Department’s care. Currently CRI has a department of Social Workers that recruit, train, match, and provide on-going post adoption support. In addition to this CRI also provides mentoring and reunification services.

CRI has continued to grow over the years. By 2018 CRI supports, in its various programs around the State, 750 children and adults with special needs and employs over 1000 staff. The Agency has a reputation for providing high quality services for people with challenging medical, behavioral and developmental issues and has been recognized as a Top Work Place in Hartford County Connecticut in 2011and 2013.

Meet Our Leadership Team