[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 177 (Thursday, November 15, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2437]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING HELENA TRAFFORD DEVEREUX

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM GERLACH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 15, 2007

  Mr. GERLACH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Helena Trafford 
Devereux--a pioneer in special education. From the beginning of her 
impressive career, her interest as a young school teacher from south 
Philadelphia was focused on children, usually in the back of the room 
who were unable to keep up with the rest of the class and were all too 
often forgotten by other educators. In the early 1900s, Helena Devereux 
began working with these children and others throughout Philadelphia as 
she developed the cornerstones of modern-day special education. Her 
passion led her to work further with these children, bringing eight of 
them into her home so that she could provide the necessary instruction 
not only educationally, but vocationally and socially as well. Her 
success led to the 1912 founding of Devereux, which has become the 
Nation's largest nonprofit provider of behavioral healthcare for people 
with developmental/intellectual disabilities, behavioral disorders and 
mental illness. Ninety-five years later, it now serves 15,000 clients 
in 11 states throughout the country.
  Ms. Devereux's work was truly at the cutting edge for its time. 
Professionals throughout the country and representing diverse 
disciplines came to Devereux to study her models of treatment and 
special education. Being a true visionary, Helena Devereux knew the 
importance of providing educational services to people with special 
needs. But more importantly, she knew the importance of training 
professionals in the fields of education, psychology, social work, 
psychiatry and related areas. It was therefore important to her that 
this mission be incorporated in the 1938 charter of Devereux and the 
1956 bylaws.
  Fifty years ago, shortly before her resignation, Helena Devereux 
established the Institute of Research and Training, now known as the 
Institute of Clinical Training and Research (ICTR). ICTR is one of the 
ten oldest, continuously accredited internship training sites by the 
American Psychological Association in the country. Since its inception, 
over 1,200 individuals have received their pre- or post-doctoral 
training at Devereux and many of these individuals have gone on to 
attain positions of prominence in the field of psychology.
  ICTR has also excelled in developing best practices in the field of 
education for infants and toddlers, children with significant 
behavioral disorders and mental illness, and children with 
developmental disabilities, including autism.
  In celebration of the 95th anniversary of Devereux and the 50th 
anniversary of the ICTR, Devereux is planning a Gala celebration at the 
Independence Seaport Museum on Friday, November 16, 2007. The Gala is 
expected to draw the greater Philadelphia business and civic community 
for an evening of entertainment and appreciation.
  While Devereux is recognized as a national leader in providing 
services for children, adolescents and adults, the largest population 
base served is in southeastern Pennsylvania. Almost every town and 
township in the Delaware Valley, as well as more than 40 counties 
throughout the state, are served by Devereux. In Pennsylvania alone, it 
serves 1,800 individuals.
  Madam Speaker, I am sure all of my colleagues join me today in 
celebrating the 95th anniversary of Devereux and the 50th anniversary 
of the ICTR. Their legacy--and the tireless work undertaken by Helena 
Devereux--is evident in the countless lives that they have affected, 
and those students who they continue to help every day.

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