Our History
Rock Nook Children's Home |
On January 1, 1999, in order to provide more efficient and effective service, United Community Services based in Norwich and the New London based Family Service Association merged and became United Community & Family Services, Inc.
United Community Services (UCS) was established in 1877 as United Workers of Norwich. Since then, UCS consistently met the needs of children, families and the aging in Norwich and surrounding communities through its commitment to provide the highest quality health and human services. The first services offered included a home for children and one for older adults later relocated to what is now known as Sheltering Arms.
Later, mental health services for children, dental services, a well child clinic and public health nursing were added to the range of programs offered by the agency. For many years, a Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) was operated. In the mid 90’s, as a result of changing community needs, the VNA provided only psychiatrics and maternal-child home care.
In the mid-1980’s, the agency changed its name to United Community Services to better reflect the work it carried out.
Established in1913 as Family Service Association of Southern New London County, they provided high quality human services throughout southern New London County and southwestern Rhode Island to individuals and families over their life span. In the early 1990’s, the last part of the name was dropped because Family Service was expanding it’s services into the northern part of New London and southeastern Middlesex Counties. Services focused in the area of outpatient mental health services for adults and children along with family support services funded primarily by the State of Connecticut.
In the late 1980’s, Family Service established the Center for Work and Family. The focus of this new division was to provide employee assistance programs to area employers, additional support services to help their employees, and training. This area of service grew significantly over the next few years to become a major part of the agency.
The merger of Family Service and United Community Services was undertaken in order to create a stronger, county organization better able to provide services in the rapidly changing environment of managed care. United Community & Family Services is better able to respond to unmet community needs because of this merger and the accompanying economies of scale created.
UCFS remains committed to its mission of improving the health and well being of the community.
In the late 1990’s and early part of this century, UCFS expanded its services to include a primary care practice with specialists in pediatrics, internal medicine, and geriatrics. The UCFS Health Center, located at 47 Town Street in Norwich, offers comprehensive outpatient services in primary care, dental care and behavioral health services.
