After School/Summer Support/Extended Day Services

The Kennedy Center Individualized Support Services area addresses the individual and community based, year round interests and needs of children, teens and young adults with special needs. Skilled professionals and/or volunteers can provide services individually or in groups.

The following Services and Programs are offered:

After School Support Services

• Bridgeport Lighthouse Program

A partner in the Bridgeport Lighthouse program, we enable children to be more successful in typical after school programs. The Kennedy Center can help children with disabilities or at risk be more successful with their social skills, behavior and homework at participating Lighthouse After School sites.

Participants must be a resident of Bridgeport. Requests for support services are completely voluntary at no extra cost to families.

For participating sites, please contact the Lighthouse Office at 203-576-7252 or The Kennedy Center Youth Enrichment Coordinator at 203-332-4535, ext. 268 or email.

• Family Partnership Program

The Family Partnership Program provides after school and family support services for children with mental health challenges, autism and other disabilities. This program is primarily funded by The Department of Children and Families (DCF). However, children with private or other funding can be referred.
The objective of the Family Partnership Program centers on opportunities for developmental growth, peer relationship building, enhancement of communication skills, behavior modification and coping mechanisms. We strive to provide activities rooted in the natural interests of the children, an environment which provides active learning opportunities and a climate conducive to personal growth. These goals can be accomplished through a rich variety of structured, indoor and outdoor activities such as:

Expressive Arts

Social Skill Instruction

Educational Support and Academic Reinforcement

Recreational Activities

Physical Fitness

Behavior Modification Programs

Art Therapy

Life Skill Instruction

In addition, our team provides in-home family support and education services. Parent/family involvement and home-based services are considered essential wrap around components to the overall success of each child who participates in the Family Partnership Program. The home visits are intended to improve parent/child interactions, help modify the child’s behavior, parent/caregiver response to child and improve overall family functioning.

Clinical services include intake, assessment, treatment planning, case management, a full range of behavioral services and partnership and referrals to community support systems.
For further information, please contact The Kennedy Center Family Services Manager, 203 332-4535, ext. 243 or email.

Summer Camp Support Services

The Kennedy Center Children's Services accepts individual service requests for children to participate in summer camp and other community programs from agency and private sources.

The Kennedy Center will be offering a New Pilot 2012 Summer Recreation Program for all age groups called Summer Fun starting in June and running through August. Please click here to find out more and to REGISTER click here.

Also available this summer is a week long program in August called Summertime Fun. Register Here.

For further information, please contact The Kennedy Center Children's Services at 203-332-4535, ext. 249 or email.

A partner with the Lakewood/Trumbull YMCA's Camp Tepee, The Kennedy Center has been providing individual support services through a care of professionally supervised volunteers. Parents are responsible for camp fees however specialized support services are provided at no additional cost.

For information, please call The Kennedy Center Youth Inclusion Coordinator at 203-332-4535, ext. 223 or email.

Volunteer Support Services/Opportunities Unlimited

The Kennedy Center Opportunities Unlimited program supports children ages 5-21 with special needs in recreation, socialization and education programs in the community through a core group of trained volunteers, many of whom are recruited through local high schools and universities. All volunteers complete a formal and individualized training and are provided with ongoing supervision by skilled staff. The program supports pre-schoolers to teens in a wide variety of activities based on family choice including: dance classes, computer programs, basketball and soccer teams, swim lessons, etc. and is free of charge.

For further information, please contact our Youth Inclusion Coordinator, 203-332-4535, ext. 223 or email.

Recreation/Social Groups

These group programs are open to teens and young adults with disabilities, ages 12-21 interested in making new friends. Typical peer role models often participate in group offerings. In-house and community-based recreation, socialization and educational activities are offered. Groups are designed for individuals who are independent in their self-care skills and do not require intensive behavioral and/or physical intervention.

For more information, please contact The Kennedy Center Youth Enrichment Coordinator at 203-332-4535, ext. 268 or email.

Therapeutic Support Services (DCF Funding Required)

The Kennedy Center Therapeutic Support Services address the individualized needs of children with complex behavioral health needs that are at risk of entering a residential level of care or are being discharged from residential treatment or a more acute level of care. This service includes a combination of structured and enrichment activities consistent with identified treatment plan objectives.

For more information, please contact The Kennedy Center Children's Services at 203-332-4535, ext. 249 or email.