$75,000 CHEFA Grant Awarded During COVID-19 Pandemic Enhances Essential Services for Vulnerable Population
Oak Hill, Connecticut’s largest private nonprofit provider of services for people with disabilities, was able to continue providing specialized supports during quarantine due to CHEFA funding.
Oak Hill’s services are a critical component of a continuum of care for children and adults with disabilities. The funds awarded to Oak Hill from the Connecticut Health and Education Facilities Authority (CHEFA), allowed the organization to continue providing essential services, virtually and in person, for individuals served across the state of Connecticut.
Oak Hill specializes in a multitude of services, providing a continuum of care across the lifespan. The funds received through CHEFA were able to support a very broad spectrum of specific programming.
The Assistive Technology and digital accessibility team were able to continue working remotely with school districts, teachers, and families across the state. During the COVID-19 crisis, students and individuals with disabilities have direct access to a free hotline, offering critical information and support for students with disabilities and their teachers. The funds also enable access to free webinars and online training.
“We are able to continue our essential work here at Oak Hill for two reasons, the tireless commitment from our incredible staff, and the vital funding from organizations such as CHEFA,” said Barry Simon, President and CEO of Oak Hill. “We’ve been able to keep our individuals safe and engaged during this unprecedented time. And it is because of the like-minded health initiatives behind the CHEFA grant program that allows us to continue our extraordinary services state-wide, and we are eternally grateful.”
“As one of only a few statewide philanthropic entities, CHEFA is extremely proud to award a grant to Oak Hill and we applaud them for stepping up to support so many Connecticut families and individuals during this challenging time. We know that our grant will have a meaningful impact on their lives as we all experience this unprecedented time” stated Jeanette W. Weldon, CHEFA’s Executive Director.
Oak Hill’s Adaptive Sports & Fitness Center was able to go virtual, creating an innovative fitness platform designed for children and adults. People with disabilities and chronic conditions have continued their strength, rehabilitation, and conditioning plans. Without it, this population risks losing progress as well as possible hospitalization. The highly trained staff provides unique, individualized support that improves cardiorespiratory fitness, joint range of motion, strength, and more. The training style they offer not only reduces the risk of secondary health conditions and complications that many with disabilities face, but also promotes independence and improves quality of life for the individuals we serve. The fitness team also partnered with several Connecticut school districts to offer remote physical education classes, adapted for students with disabilities.
The support from CHEFA had a dual impact on Oak Hill. The funds meet the essential, immediate need to support health and education for individuals with disabilities, and solidified the continuation of numerous programs impacting the quality of life for individuals with disabilities for years to come.
About Oak Hill: Oak Hill is Connecticut’s largest private provider for people with disabilities, working to break down barriers to independence for over 125 years. Oak Hill’s mission is to set the standard, partnering with people with disabilities, to provide services and solutions promoting independence, education, health and dignity. Oak Hill programs support people of all ages, for all levels of need. For up-to-date information about Oak Hill, please visit OakHillCT.org, www.facebook.com/CIBOakHill, and on Twitter at @OakHillCT. Oak Hill is an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) organization.
About CHEFA: The Connecticut Health and Education Facilities Authority (CHEFA) is a quasi-public organization that provides access to tax-exempt financing, grants and other financial assistance to educational institutions, healthcare providers, childcare providers and other qualifying 501(c)(3) organizations. CHEFA has issued over $21.3B in bonds since 1965 and awarded more than $38M in grants since 2002. CHEFA is a self-supporting entity; receiving no state funds or taxpayer dollars.
