Living In Safe Alternatives Incorporated (L.I.S.A., Inc.) in operation since 1970 was established on January 17, 1990 when Beacon House, operated by Group Homes of Greater Waterbury Inc., (est. 1970) and Plainville Group Home Inc., (est. 1970) were merged under a new corporation name. The programs provide a warm, structured, nurturing environment in which individual, group and family counseling and therapy act as a means of helping our residents recuperate from the effects of abuse and neglect. The residents are in need of homes in which to learn, experience personal growth, solve/resolve emotional and social problems, receive educational supervision, and experience a sense of belonging in a home and family atmosphere. Through meeting these needs the programs at each of our locations work towards preparing each resident to live independently.
L.I.S.A. is an acronym for “Living In Safe Alternatives”. Our initials also refer to six year old Lisa Steinberg, one of over 1,000 children who died from abuse in 1988. This particular case gained notoriety for many reasons, some of which caused our society as a whole to reflect on its role and responsibilities to children. This child’s death points to the failure of the system to prevent child abuse, and the tragedy that ensues. L.I.S.A., Inc. is perhaps an attempt to overcome, even in a small way, the shortcomings of our society.
Residents served in each of our programs are considered to be, abused, abandoned, adjudicated or neglected adolescent females and males who come from dysfunctional families. At the time of placement, they are typically withdrawn, depressed, have poor self esteem, and may be doing poorly in school. They typically are confused and angry about their relationships with adults. They have justifiable and normal reactions to their abnormal, and at times horrible, childhoods. A portion of our residents have a history of hospitalization or residential treatment. Due to the past family history the residents may have significant developmental delays and/or gaps in social skills, self esteem, life skills, school, and self care. All of our residents attend high school and we are proud of the fact that together, our kids earn a B average. Typically, residents stay with us for one year and can stay with us up to six years. Our average length of stay is two years. The residents are all required to work in the summer, and for those who are of age and able, during the school year as well. Residents are provided with group activities, such as life skills and recreation, to enhance their overall development. All of our programs operate as a therapeutic milieu in which structure, firmness, emotional warmth, and nurturing are components for which we seek out in our trained, educated and dedicated staff. As part of this milieu our programs connect with community services, as well as within the programs, to provide the residents with individual, group and family therapy to aid them on their way to independence. Through this continuum of care that our agency provides most, though not all, of our residents go onto leading successful lives. They continue their education and acquire employment in a wide variety of fields. Click HERE for more information about our programs.
L.I.S.A., Inc. was the recipient of the first Connecticut Association
of Residential Facilities Award for our “Outstanding Program Performance
and Contribution to Community, Youth and Adolescent Services” in
1989. This was in recognition of our overall record of leadership in
services
to youth, advocacy for appropriate staffing for group homes, programming
for independent living services, group home industry coordination and
unification, and innovation of services to meet the ever complex needs
of our residents. |