A Brief History of CHD

Since its founding in 1972, CHD has grown into one of the largest, most comprehensive, charitable nonprofit agencies in New England. Originally known as the Center for Study of Institutional Alternatives, its purpose then was to support educational opportunities for juvenile offenders who were, at that time, locked up and discounted. Today our family of programs provides a full spectrum of coordinated services for the youngest in our communities to the oldest, in areas such as mental health, youth mentoring, family stabilization, foster care, early intervention, elder care, occupational therapy, intellectual and physical disabilities, homelessness prevention, cancer support, substance abuse, and juvenile justice.
Through our broad range of integrated social services in communities throughout Western Massachusetts and northwestern Connecticut, we serve more than 10,000 people every year. We have more than 1,200 staff working in over 70 programs—all dedicated to helping people build stronger, more productive lives. Yet, despite its size, CHD feels, in many ways, like the small agency that began four decades ago when a group of dedicated and idealistic friends decided to address an injustice.  With a decentralized structure and a philosophy that many decisions are best made at the program service level, CHD management and staff work together to solve problems, develop solutions, and explore opportunities. 
 
 

An Abbreviated Timeline of CHD’s History
 
 
1972—The Center for the Study of Institutional Alternatives is incorporated  
 
1973-74—Foster Care, Homefinder, Family Alternative detention programs introduced
 
1976—Name change to Center for Human Development (CHD)
 
1983—Social Enterprise programs introduced with Riverbend Furniture
 
1989—Expansion into Hartford, Connecticut
 
1990—Alternative Adolescent Diagnostic, Day and Secure Treatment Programs
 
1995—Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County merger
 
1995—Expansion into Waterbury/Torrington, Connecticut area
 
1997—HIV/AIDS Law Consortium Merger
 
1998—Behavioral Health Network affiliation (through 2007)
 
1999—Meadows Homes merger
 
2001—Girls Assessment Program (Terri Thomas Girls Program) acquisition
 
2008—Child & Family Service of Pioneer Valley merger
 
2009—Clinical Services integrated throughout CHD programs
 
2010—Hawthorn Services merger
 
2011—Cancer House of Hope merger
 
2012—40th Anniversary of CHD's founding