Opened in 1976 and located in the Silvermine section of Norwalk, the Lower Fairfield Center was the culmination of a dream to be able to move family members with severe and profound mental retardation closer to their parents' homes in Fairfield County. The Center is a 24 hour direct care residential program operated by the State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Retardation. The Center is comprised of 12 apartments with six people residing in each apartment, an Adult Day Program, and an Administration Building.

Offering a comprehensive professional program for its 72 apartment residents, the Center employs approximately 240 people on three shifts. The Center provides a variety of services which include: occupational, physical, and speech therapies - medical and nursing care - dental care - behavior therapy - psychological counseling - and Adult Day Program on Campus for 25 people with medical or behavior issues that have prevented them from being in programs in the community.

The residents at LFC are between the ages of 18 and 55 and will always need help to survive. Many residents are multiply handicapped and medically fragile. It is the Center's goal to provide residents with as full and integrated life as they can have.

PARENTS & FRIENDS OF LOWER FAIRFIELD CENTER & ASSOCIATED GROUP HOMES.
Parents & Friends is a volunteer advocacy group that works to enhance the lives of people with mental retardation living at Lower Fairfield Center & Associated Group Homes. The support is provided in the following ways: Raising funds to provide better programs and environments, Providing support to families, Holding monthly meetings which provide forums for important issues and the sharing of topical information, Promoting and encouraging active family involvement, Advocating on behalf of families, Interacting with other local state, and national organizations serving people with mental retardation, Monitoring legislative activities and work toward effecting favorable laws and policies, Maintaining liaison with the Connecticut Department of Mental Retardation (DMR), and Working to insure that options are available to all people with mental retardation and their families.

HOW HAVE THE FUNDS FROM PRO SPORTS CHALLENGE BEEN UTILIZED?

• First it is important to realize that this is a 100% volunteer effort. All funds are used for programs or equipment. Parents and Friends is a non-profit organization.
• For nine years, we have provided $150 a month for recreation for 12 apartments and two group homes. This is $25,200 annually.
• We have furnished 32 bedrooms providing 2 beds, 1 dresser and 1 chest of drawers. We are furnishing 12 apartments providing 2 sofas, 2 club chairs, cocktail and end tables, a dining table with 8 chairs, an entertainment unit, and a hutch. We also provide drapes and pictures.
• We purchased a $40,000 wheelchair van. We purchased wheelchairs. We purchase special adaptive scales. Presently we are working to purchase two therapeutic tubs with sonar action and two lifts for non-ambulatory clients at a cost of $27,000. For people who live in wheelchairs and have rigid bodies, this will be very helpful. This year we will purchase nursing carts and 1 tub and 1 lift. We have purchased outdoor furniture and swings. We painted and furnished the LFC gym.
• We provided special Olympic uniforms. We provide a great holiday season with a Christmas Party and gifts. We cover all residents without parents or family participation. We provide monthly recreation specials like a Halloween Party with a DJ.
• For the last four years, we have provided an Annual Black Tie Awards Dinner Dance so that once a year all residents can be transformed into either an elegant Cinderella or Prince Charming. It is like Prom night on our campus. All Parents and non-working staff pay.
• We are raising funds to open a 6-bed Respite Center in 2002 that will provide relief for 200 families annually.