LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 35th Anniversary of Birch Fami-
ly Services to be celebrated May 14, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those organiza-
tions and individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare of the
community and its citizenry; 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 35th Anniversary of Birch Family Services to be observed with
a year-long celebration beginning Thursday, May 14, 2009, at The Players
Club; and
WHEREAS, Birch Family Services, Inc. was incorporated May 7, 1975, as
the Herbert G. Birch School for Exceptional Children; founded by Phyllis
Susser, and named in honor of her mentor, Dr. Herbert G. Birch, this
agency has grown from one small school into a large network of programs,
serving a wide range of New Yorkers who face significant challenges; and
WHEREAS, Its mission is threefold: to develop and administer programs
effectively; and to help families become outstanding advocates for their
children; and
WHEREAS, Today, in Birch early childhood programs throughout New York
City, 1,000 young children with severe developmental delays are receiv-
ing the specialized therapeutic and educational services they need to
overcome the obstacles they and their families face; and
WHEREAS, Birch Family Services believes that the progress of children
with significant disabilities is greatly enhanced in settings that
include typically-developing children; likewise, they believe that chil-
dren who are developing typically thrive in the enriched educational
environments provided by the organization; and
WHEREAS, Because of this, an additional 400 typically-developing chil-
dren with developmental delays "graduate" each year and either enter
public school for typically-developing children or are able to partic-
ipate in less intensive special classes; in addition, all of Birch pres-
choolers get the best "head start" possible; and
WHEREAS, The Phyllis L. Susser School for Exceptional Children in
Flushing, New York, serves children age 5-16 with autism, mental retar-
dation, emotional disabilities, severe speech and language impairments,
and traumatic brain injuries whose needs cannot be met by the public
school system; combined with the "annex" in Washington Heights, which
serves the needs of 5-8 year-olds with autism, the school-aged program
currently serves 111 children; and
WHEREAS, Birch Family Services is renowned for its expertise in the
education of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders; they train nearly
500 staff each year in effective methods for these children and trainees
come from the New York City Department of Education, as well as other
districts in the metropolitan area, sister agencies and their own
schools; and
WHEREAS, Although Birch Family Services is best known for its schools,
it also operates other services for people with special needs; 59
adolescents and adults with severe developmental disabilities receive
around-the-clock care in their eight residencies located in Brooklyn and
Queens; many of these individuals had been living in state institutions
but now enjoy real homes in communities in which they can actively
participate; and
WHEREAS, Its new Family Support Services Program is dedicated to
strengthening and empowering families to meet the challenges of parent-

ing children with disabilities; this program will be a vital resource to
all families of children with special needs in the New York City region;
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
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 35th Anniversary of Birch Family Services to be cele-
brated May 14, 2009; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Birch Family Services.