LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 30th Anniversary of Independent
Group Home Living

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend those
illustrious organizations within the State of New York whose focus and
intent have made a substantial impact on the quality of life in their
communities; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 30th Anniversary of Independent Group Home Living, to be cele-
brated on June 7, 2009; and
WHEREAS, In 1978, Independent Group Home Living of East Moriches, New
York, opened its first group home in Mt. Sinai to provide a community-
based, home-like environment that encouraged personal growth and a genu-
ine sense of belonging for people with developmental disabilities; and
WHEREAS, The first Independent Group Home Living Day Treatment Program
was opened in East Moriches in 1982, which also contained the adminis-
trative offices that had previously been located in Riverhead; the
original capacity was expanded in 1985 when an additional programming
wing was built and put to use later that year for an evening Day Treat-
ment program; and
WHEREAS, Additional administrative space for the Independent Group
Home Living was added when a more accommodating administrative wing was
completed in 1987; the following year, the Day-Care Center was opened;
and
WHEREAS, Throughout the 1980s, Independent Group Home Living continued
to develop mid-sized, seven-to-nine bed residential homes on the north
shore and in the Moriches area; the need became so acute in the next few
years, that seven 12-bed and two 10-bed homes were developed by the end
of the decade, more than tripling the service network; and
WHEREAS, During this time, Independent Group Home Living began provid-
ing services directly to the consumer and their families in their home
or immediate community; In-Home respite services and the first sessions
of the Sunday Recreation program were offered in 1985; the first of two
Free-Standing Respite homes was opened in Shirley in 1986 and the
Holbrook Respite program opened in 1988; and
WHEREAS, Independent Group Home Living expanded its Day Treatment
services network in 1987 with the opening of the Fred A. McCormack Day
Treatment program in Southampton; its family support services network
was expanded again in 1990 when it became one of the first private
sector providers in the State of New York to be certified to develop
Family-Care homes; and
WHEREAS, In the 1990s, Independent Group Home Living continued to
develop community-based homes, including the unique Pine Street ICF
program in 1991, which was the first of its kind in the State to provide
an intensive level of nursing/medical care for an elderly disabled popu-
lation; and
WHEREAS, Independent Group Home Living also began rethinking its
expansion philosophy during this time and began looking for ways to
develop smaller, more individualized homes and services; from 1992
through 1996, six new Individualized Residential Alternatives were
created, the largest containing only seven beds; and
WHEREAS, At the same time, the Independent Group Home Living Family
Support Services program was expanded to include Case Management
Services, the provision of In-home Habilitation services and the expan-
sion of respite care programs; and

WHEREAS, Independent Group Home Living developed its first Day Habili-
tation program in 1993, a new service that brought daytime services
directly into the community; between 1996 and 1998, an additional 29
opportunities have been developed; and
WHEREAS, In 1999, Independent Group Home Living experienced its first
true acquisition when the New Interdisciplinary School in Yaphank became
an affiliate company, giving the organization the ability to offer qual-
ity educational services for the developmentally disabled population;
and
WHEREAS, Independent Group Home Living opened Angela's House in 2000,
the first residential program in the State of New York to serve
medically frail and technology dependent children; a barrier-free, five
bedroom facility, it is home to seven children ages 4-10 and is designed
to address a wide variety of needs common to its target population; and
WHEREAS, Since being founded in 1978, Independent Group Home Living
has developed more than 350 community home opportunities, as well as a
complete services network with more than 40 locations throughout Suffolk
County and even in Florida; and
WHEREAS, Currently one of the foremost non-profit agencies in the
Northeast serving people with developmental disabilities, Independent
Group Home Living provides a variety of medical, occupational, recre-
ational and educational services to more than 5,000 developmentally
disabled people and their families; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Independent Group Home Living is one of the
largest employers in eastern Suffolk County with a staff of more than
1,400 that work at its 50 group residences, extensive transportation
network and many day service programs; and
WHEREAS, The success enjoyed by Independent Group Home Living is in
direct correlation to the efforts of the many individuals, past and
present, who have supported its progress over the years; and
WHEREAS, Equally commendable are the superbly-skilled staff at Inde-
pendent Group Home Living, whose involvement is and has always been
characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and
an uncompromising standard of excellence in all of their efforts on
behalf of the organization and the population it serves; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 30th Anniversary of Independent Group Home Living, fully
confident that this remarkable organization will continue to enjoy the
sparkling success which has so characterized its past; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Independent Group Home Living.