Devereux Hosp & Children's Ctr

Description

ABOUT DEVEREUX

The Devereux mission is to change lives and nurture human potential We inspire hope ensure wellbeing and promote meaningful life choices Our mission is achieved through a wide range of services and supports for individuals and their families

CORE VALUES

We support a respectful and integrated team approach
We foster personal and professional growth of our staff
We develop innovative and effective solutions
We partner with families and communities

DEVEREUX AIM

The Devereux Aim has and must always be to innovate and build programs of excellence Our programs will be of such excellence that they may become models for this and other nations

History

The Devereux Foundation traces its roots back to 1912 when a remarkable young Philadelphia educator took an extraordinary interest in youngsters who were considered quotslowquot by most of her colleagues Helena T Devereux who is considered a pioneer in the field of special education operated on the premise that each of the students assigned to her could learn and grow in an environment tailored to their needs Basically her philosophy was that quotevery child is a programquot

Further Helena Devereux went beyond the normal role of the teacher She believed that the classroom was just one segment of lifes learning opportunities and that daily living skills socialization and recreation set the stage for fruitful experiences

Helena Devereux acted on her beliefs In her parents home three students learned not only the three Rs but they also acquired skills of daily living that Miss Devereux felt could only be taught in an aroundtheclock program After her success with these youngsters she borrowed 500 and began her first residential treatment program in Devon Pennsylvania

As news of Helena Devereuxs work spread so did requests from parents of children who had special needs families from Pennsylvania from California from Texas and from other states Miss Devereuxs reputation also attracted professionals from education psychiatry psychology and social work who wanted to work with this pioneer as she helped her quotspecialquot youngsters

Today following the philosophy of Helena Devereux close to 6000 staff members at all levels provide professional and quality care to more than 15000 individuals annually These children adolescents and adults come to Devereux from fortythree states and five foreign countries In a wide range of settings from home school and community to campusbased programs and hospitals Devereux provides services to individuals of all ages who have emotional developmental and behavioral needs