Over 50 years ago, CCTC was founded as a research demonstration project in the basement of the Franklin Institute. Over the past half century CCTC has been a safe place for healing for over 100,000 children in crisis.
CCTC was founded in 1971 by Dr. Louise Sandler under the name “Center for Early Childhood Services.” It was originally a research demonstration project. The program was housed in the basement of the Franklin Institute and supported by Hahnemann University Hospital.
• In 1978, CCTC moves to 1823 Callowhill Street and becomes a 501(c)(3). The preschool project, which began as the research demonstration study becomes the Therapeutic Nursery (TN) and CCTC begins providing psychological testing services to children ages 3 to 13.
• In 1989, CCTC launches the first early childhood trauma program in Philadelphia, which began with only one part-time therapist.
• In 1996, CCTC begins providing “Wrap-Around” services, also known as Behavioral Health Rehabilitation Services (BHRS), aimed at serving children in their communities with highly qualified clinical staff who assist in improving the family’s functioning and child’s coping and adaptive skills.
• In 1998, CCTC launches the Intensive Case Management (ICM) program, which provides Care Coordination services to families of children throughout the city.
• In 1999, CCTC opens its first Summer Therapeutic Enrichment Program (STEP) Camp program for children in the city of Philadelphia.
• CCTC’s first School Based Behavioral Health Services program begins in the fall of 2001 at Ferguson and Bache Martin Elementary Schools. That same year the Consultation and Education (C & E) Program begins in the partner schools.
• In 2001, CCTC creates the program Tamaa, a program designed to provide trauma treatment services to a large and rapidly growing West-African refugee population in Southwest Philadelphia.
• In 2002, CCTC opens the CARE (Children Achieve through Re-Education) Program at Julia De Burgos Elementary School.
• By 2003, CCTC’s BHRS Department had grown to become one of the largest of its kind in Philadelphia.
• Parent Caregiver Services/Filial Program is formed with funding from the Department of Human Services of Philadelphia (DHS).
• In 2007, CCTC begins providing Family-Based Services, sending teams of clinicians to work with children and families in their homes.
• From 2006 to 2009 CCTC begins providing specialized programming in schools through our Therapeutic Emotional Support Classrooms Program.
• Caring Families of CCTC, a parent/caregiver advisory board officially forms in 2009.
• CCTC Increases its focus on evidence based practices and outcomes in all programs.
• Also in 2011, CCTC begins expanding existing programming into new settings such as charter schools and emergency housing (shelter) settings by entering into partnerships with agencies such as People’s Emergency Center and West Philadelphia Achievement Charter School.
• In 2012, in response to the growing needs of the Mexican community in South Philadelphia, CCTC opens Abriendo Caminos.
• In March of 2013, CCTC moves into its new headquarters at 1080 North Delaware Avenue, consolidating three sites which now houses all Administrative Services, Outpatient and Psychiatry Services, Trauma Services, Community-Based Services and The Therapeutic Nursery.
• In July of 2013, opens an Acute Partial Program in Eastern North Philadelphia. The Cornerstone Center opened in the Spring of 2013.
• CCTC opens our first location outside of Philadelphia and we begin providing services in Montgomery County in the Spring of 2014. Our Montco location provides Trauma Services, Family Based Services, Outpatient Services, and Blended Case Management.
• In 2023, CCTC expanded into Camden, New Jersey by providing mental and behavioral health services to a KIPP Charter School located in Camden.
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