PCMS_Philadelphia_Medicine_Summer2017 - 19

p h i l a m e d s o c .o rg

devereux advanced behavioral health

"At Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, we believe all human
beings deserve the opportunity to live up to their full potential,
regardless of the challenges or difficulties they may face."
- Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health President and CEO Robert Kreider

his belief rings true for the more than 7,000 employees of
one of the largest and most advanced behavioral health
care organizations in the country.

Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health was founded in 1912
by special education pioneer Helena Devereux. The South Philadelphia public school teacher noticed children with special needs
were underserved by the public education system, so she decided
to do something about it.

Devereux continued to grow in the 1950s and 1960s, opening
centers in Texas, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Arizona. The
organization currently operates 15 centers in 13 states, with its
national headquarters based in Villanova.

Serving the Most Vulnerable Members of Society
Helena Devereux spent her life devoted to the individuals she
served. When she passed away in 1975 at the age of 90, her legacy
of hope remained the lifeblood of the organization.
Today, Devereux is a national non-profit partner for individuals,
families, schools and communities, serving many of the most vulnerable members of our society in the areas of autism, intellectual and
developmental disabilities, specialty mental health, and child welfare.
"We operate a comprehensive network of clinical, therapeutic, educational and employment programs that positively impact the lives
of tens of thousands of children, adults - and their families - every
year," said President and CEO Robert Kreider. "The foundation of
our work is rooted in our mission: to change lives by unlocking and
nurturing human potential for people with emotional, behavioral
or cognitive differences."
Continued on page 20

Helena Devereux left her teaching job, rented a home for $94
a month, and opened a full-time residential school. In 1919, she
purchased the rental property along with a neighboring estate. Over
time, school enrollment doubled, and, in 1922, several schools and
facilities came together under one name: Devereux Schools. The
Devereux Schools received their nonprofit charter 16 years later,
and, in 1943, the Devereux Foundation expanded to Devon, Pa.,
and Santa Barbara, Calif.
Miss Devereux believed all children could learn and achieve
personal growth in an environment tailored to their specific needs.
She began teaching these children in her home. Following a path
she alone charted, Miss Devereux forever changed the course of
special education and treatment for individuals with learning,
behavioral and emotional difficulties.

WWW.DEVEREUX.ORG

1-800-345-1292

Summer 2017 : Philadelphia Medicine 19

https://philamedsoc.org/ http://WWW.DEVEREUX.ORG

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