CHILD & FAMILY AGENCY
of Southeastern Connecticut, Inc.

History of Child & Family Agency

1809

The Female Benevolent Society of Hartford, the predecessor of Child and Family Agency, was formed. Eventually it was renamed the Children's Aid Society.
1859 The Mission began as an outgrowth of the Central Mission Sunday School to "draw within the cover of Christian influence the poor, neglected children of New London."
1867 A building was erected on North Bank Street, then called Bradley Street, where the Mission work continued until 1925.
1891 The Mission became known as the Bradley Street Mission

1906

Mrs. A. P. Grint, wife of the rector of St. James Episcopal Church in New London, founded the New London Day Nursery.
1916 Billings P. Learned died and under the condition that the name of the Mission be changed, bequeathed his estate for a City Mission.
1925 The Mission building was purchased making it a Community Service House as well as a religious center.
1926 The Mission building was sold to The New London Day

1944

On October 2, a group of twelve women organized the New London District Committee of the Connecticut Children's Aid Society.

1948

On December 7, the New London District Committee changed its name to "The Eastern District Committee."

The New London Day Nursery moved from its former location given to it by George S. Palmer, 250 Main Street, to a building specifically designed for child care on Hempstead Street in New London.

1954

Dr. Louis P. Saxe established The Child Guidance Clinic of Southeastern Connecticut was established.
1960s B.P. Learned Mission moved to Shaw Street as part of the New London Redevelopment Project.
1965 In July, The Child Guidance Clinic purchased its Granite Street facility.

1968

Children's Services of Connecticut became Child and Family Services of Connecticut.

1972

Child and Family Services of Connecticut reorganized into a central Hartford office with six regional offices.

1973

January 8, Eastern District Committee renamed as CHILD AND FAMILY AGENCY OF SOUTHEASTERN CONNECTICUT, INC.

1978

Child and Family Agency acquired its 255 Hempstead Street facility in New London.

1986

Child and Family Agency was designated a Child Guidance Clinic with the responsibility of meeting the mental health needs of children.

1991

The New London Day Nursery merged with Child and Family Agency.
Child and Family Agency purchased the Smith Memorial Home for use as the Smith-Bent Children's Center.

1994

The Child and Family Agency Scholars Program was established.

1995

The former New London Day Nursery building was remodeled as the Thomas P. Gullotta Prevention Resource Library. It houses the agency's book and journal collections and provides generous meeting space and training facility.

1996

The Groton Family Resource Center joined Child and Family Agency.

1998

Child and Family Agency was designated as the Early Head Start Provider for Middlesex County.

1999

Child and Family’s 2nd Early Childhood Development Center was opened at their Poquonnock Road facility in Groton.

2000

July 1, The Child Guidance Clinic of Southeastern Connecticut merged with Child and Family Agency.
2003 Nov 1, the B. P. Learned Mission merged with Child and Family Agency of Southeastern Connecticut.