Urge Legislators to Approve Community Provider Rescue Fund

March 27, 2008 - Appropriations Committee released its proposed budget with contains a 1% COLA for private providers.  This is profoundly inadequate to meet the needs of Oak Hill and our colleague agencies in the community. 

Connecticut is still the wealthiest state in the nation and 1% is simply not enough.   

The budget is in the hands of the legislative leadership. 

Contact your legislator!  If you've never contacted a legislator now is the time to do it and if you've done it you need to do it again.  Let them know that 1% simply is not enough.  A 2% cap remains on our room and board rates and we are also working to get that removed so real costs will be covered.

The chronic underfunding jeaopardizes, safety and quality of care for our clients; the livelihood of our excellent staff at all levels; and the viability of private agencies.  Please act now by calling, emailing and writing -

Senator Donald E. Williams, Jr., President of the Senate (860) 240-8600; 1-800-842-1420; email: Williams@senatedems.ct.gov

Rep. James Amann, Speaker of the House (860) 240-8500; 1-800-842-1902; email: Jim.Amann@cga.ct.gov

Sen. John McKinney, Senate, Majority Leader (860) 240-8805; 1-800-842-1421; email: John.McKinney@cga.ct.gov

Rep. Lawrence Cafero, House Republican Leader, (860) 240-8700; 1-800-842-1423; email: Lawrence.Cafero@housegop.ct.gov

To learn more (click on link) http://www.ccpa-inc.org/documents/CommunityProviderRescueFund.pdf

To find your legislator at the CCPA website - Contact Your Legislator http://www.ccpa-inc.org/legislativesearch.aspx

Oak Hill School Expanded Services

Oak Hill School is a state approved and licensed education program serving children ages 3-21 years with developmental and physical disabilities.  Early 2008, Oak Hill School expanded their services to include children ages 3 through 5 years.   

For more information on the Oak Hill School, please contact Anna Eddy, vice president (860) 242-2274 ext. 3851 or email: eddya@ciboakhill.org  

Oak Hill Birth to Three Program

Provides support to families of children under the age of three with disabilities or delays in developmental milestones as it relates to the child’s age. Enrollment began on September 1, 2007 and the program director is Ms. Aggie Pont.   

Learn About Oak Hill Birth to Three Program

Expanded Services for People with Low Vision and Blindness

The Eleanor A. Brooks Blindness Related Supports Center at Oak Hill provides independent living opportunities and community supports; the vocational center designed to assist in finding meaningful employment for adults who are blind or visually impaired.

Learn About Eleanor A. Brooks Blindness Related Supports Center at Oak Hill

Attention Caregivers of Women with Intellecutal Disabilities

The Oak Hill Center for Relationship & Sexuality Education (CRSE) has developed a valuable teaching manual - Breast Health for Women with Intellectual Disabilities.   The curriculum was made possible thanks to generous funding from the Connecticut Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the Aetna Foundation

For information on FREE breast health class in your location and/or FREE professional workshop at your location; call (860) 769-3833 or email: info@oakhillcrse.org

Information About Oak Hill Center for Relationship & Sexuality Education (CRSE)

To purchase a Breast Health for Women with Intellectual Disabilities Teaching Manual; cost is $109.00 + $5.00 shipping and handling; CT residents pay 6% sales tax

The NEAT Center at Oak Hill - Camp LEEP

Camp LEEP (Low Vision/blind Educational Program) is a week long program for students ages 15-23 years who have low vision or blindness.  There is no cost to the student however space is limited. 

Camp objectives:

• increase knowledge of assistive technology
• enhance daily living skills
• gain exposure to college life
• participate in recreational activities
• learn pre-employment interviewing techniques
• increase self-advocacy skills

Camp LEEP dates: July 27-August 2, 2008 (1 week); location: St. Joseph College in West Hartford

For more information please call Karin Agritelly, Coordinator,  NEAT Center at Oak Hill; (860) 286-3105 or email: agritellyk@ciboakhill.org or Steve Famiglietti, Manager, Blind Vocational Services; (860) 286-3100 or email: famigliettis@ciboakhill.org

An Official iBOT Mobility System Evaluation Center

The iBOT is a remarkable wheelchair that enables the user to raise up to eye level, go up or down stairs, travel over uneven terrain and climb curbs up to five inches.  Individuals interested in the iBOT can now receive a consumer assessment at the NEAT Center at Oak Hill.  For more information, please call (860) 243-2869 or email: info@neatmarketplace.org

Connecticut Aquired Brain Injury Program

The NEAT Center at Oak Hill became an official vendor for the Connecticut Aquired Brain Injury program. 

Giving through United Way and the Combined Federal Campaign

You may donate to Oak Hill through the United Way.  For federal civilian, postal and military donors who wish to donate to Oak Hill through the Combined Federal Campaign, refer to page 73 of the booklet for our listing and use designation code #38571. 

For more information on how you can donate to Oak Hill, call Suzanne Heise, vice president, development and communications at (860) 769-3834 or email: hi-c@ciboakhill.org

Recent Fundraisers

3rd Annual Jordan's Journey: a charity motorcycle ride was held on June 24, 2007 and raised $10,000 to benefit children and adults with disabilities served by Oak Hill. 

Save the Date - Sun. June 22, 2008 (10AM-2PM) 4th Annual Jordan's Journey: charity motorcycle ride; begins at the NEAT Center at Oak Hill and travels to Brodie Park in Barkhamsted.  For more information please call Maria De La Cruz, Development Office at (860) 769-3802 or email: delacruzm@ciboakhill.org  

Oak Hill's Golf Tournament Raises $65,000

All of the proceeds raised will enable us to provide camper-ships for children and adults with multiple disabilities.  The 13th Annual fundraising golf tournament was held on September 19, 2007 at Lyman Orchards Golf Course; special thanks to our master of ceremonies, Joe D'Ambrosio, Sports Talk host on WTIC-AM 1080.  

Save the Date: Wed. September 17, 2008 for the 14th Annual fundraising golf tournament to benefit Oak Hill; held at Lyman Orchards Golf Club in Middlefield, CT

For more information on this event, call Maria De La Cruz, Development Office, (860) 769-3802 or email: delacruzm@ciboakhill.org  

Oak Hill's First Walk/Run/Roll Raises $5,700

The 2007 Lindsey Jo Haile Memorial Walk/Run/Roll fundraising event was held on Oct. 13, 2007.  The event was held in Durham and drew over 165 runners, walkers and people in wheelchairs (rollers); the event raised $5,700 with the proceeds benefiting Oak Hill’s Wallingford/Hall Acres group home and their residents.  Lindsey Jo Haile's family hosted the first ever event to honor their daughter's life and to support the mission of Oak Hill. 

Save the Date: Sat. October 11, 2008 for the 2nd Annual Lindsey Jo Haile Memorial Walk/Run/Roll at Coginchaug Regional High School in Durham. 

For more information, please call Maria De La Cruz, Development Office at (860) 769-3802; email: delacruzm@ciboakhill.org

Extraordinary Woven and Quilted Goods made by Artisans with Disabilites and Seniors

The 12th Annual Hartford Artisans’ Center at Oak Hill Sale was held on November 17, 2007 and many beautiful woven and quilted goods were purchased for the holidays and anticipation of the winter season.  All funds raised support the program and benefit Oak Hill's artisans (made up of people with disaiblities and seniors).   

Volunteer - Donate - Gifts in Kind

If you would like to learn more, make a financial donation, fabric donation or volunteer, please call (860) 242-2274 ext. 3874 or email: scallad@ciboakhill.org  

Save the Date - 13th Annual Hartford Artisans' Center at Oak Hill Public Sale! Sat. November 15, 2008 (10:00AM-4:30PM) Potter Hall, Oak Hill's main campus at 120 Holcomb Street, Hartford.  FREE; Open to all

Oak Hill Note Cards may be purchased via FAXed order form with credit card to (860) 242-3103; by mail or by phone (860) 769-3802. 

The assorted note card package includes all 12 cards and 13 envelopes (size: 5" x 7").  Note cards are blank inside and the back contains information about the artist (children and adults with disabilites served by Oak Hill).  Please allow four weeks for delivery.  Cost per package: $25; CT residents add 6% sales tax; FREE shipping with a minimum order of $30 + plus a $20 donation.  Proceeds will benefit Oak Hill. 

Learn More>>

Oak Hill gets an Image Facelift

In Oak Hill's 114 year history, one thing has remained constant - change, moving from serving children who are blind to people with varying disabilities.  Once known as the Oak Hill School for the Blind, the Connecticut Institute for the Blind and now simply as Oak Hill. 

While we all know who we serve there are many in the state who are not aware of us and the many services we provide.  Our rebrand will strengthen our position as we speak to legislators  about the need for adequate funding and to community members to ask for their financial support. 

Did you know...? On Oct. 4, 2008, Oak Hill celebrates 115 years of providing services and solutions for people with disabilities