Our Mission
The Kennedy Child Study Center is a nonprofit agency dedicated to assisting very young children who experience significant difficulties in learning and other areas of early childhood development.
We accomplish this through a coordinated system of evaluation and diagnosis, multifaceted therapy, specialized preschool education and partnership with families.
Additionally, Kennedy Child Study Center provides direct services and supports to parents and other caregivers as they seek to provide a rich family life in which these children can thrive.
In conjunction with these services, we strive to communicate the needs of these children to the general public, train professionals from a variety of disciplines for work in the area of developmental disabilities, develop new service programs and facilities, and encourage positive public policies that benefit young children with disabilities.
Our History
In 1958, the Archdiocese of New York established the Kennedy Child Study Center because it realized that children with mental retardation require more focused educational services. Rose F. and Joseph P. Kennedy provided a grant to support the organization in memory of their son, Lieutenant Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr., for whom the agency is named. Initially, the center was a small school for primary grade children; this was one of the nation's first programs of its kind.
As early intervention proved effective in reducing the consequences of disabilities, our attention shifted toward serving very young children. As this shift occurred, the introduction of a multidisciplinary approach to treatment allowed the center to address a wider range of developmental conditions.
Under the sponsorship of Catholic Charities, the Kennedy Child Study Center continues to fill a critical gap in New York City. In recent years, we have served more than 1,800 children annually through the various programs provided at our Bronx and Manhattan locations. The need for the types of services we offer continues to grow at a substantial rate.
Annual Report
Download our latest annual report.
Contact Information
Manhattan location:
151 East 67th Street, New York, NY 10065
212-988-9500
Bronx location:
1028 East 179th Street, Bronx, New York 10460
718-842-0200
Bronx location:
1071B East Tremont Avenue, Bronx, New York 10460
718-842-8942
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is comprised of an active group of volunteers from the general community who provide their time and talents to oversee the work of the Kennedy Child Study Center. The Board's responsibilities include:
- determination of KCSC's mission and purposes,
- assurance of effective organizational planning,
- monitoring and evaluation of program services,
- resource development,
- assurance of effective financial management,
- assessment of agency management, and
- advancement of KCSC's public image and standing.
View a current membership roster of Kennedy Child Study Center Board of Directors.
Officers
- Michael W. O'Shaughnessy, Chair
- Marian Burke, Vice Chair
- Michael A. O'Conor, Treasurer
- Richard Ellis, Secretary
- Lawrence F. Hickey, Chairman Emeritus
Members
- Desiree Collazo-Soto
- James E. Farrell, Jr
- John G. Gibbons
- Maurice Halifi
- Martin L. Keating
- Andrew Kraus
- Donna Stockinger-Kraus
- Michal Lementowski
- Catherine H. Lenihan
- Lawrence F. McGovern
- Mark O'Friel
- Dr. Pola Rosen
- Melissa Salerno
- Elizabeth Schmeelk
- Madalena Nicole Sheehan
- Rev. Monsignor Kevin Sullivan
- Christopher Thomas
- Ju Nie Thong
Agency Management
The responsibility for managing the work of the Kennedy Child Study Center has been entrusted to a team of highly trained and experienced professionals skilled in the delivery of early childhood services to children with developmental challenges.
View our current management and supervisory staff directory, which includes contact information.
Peter P. Gorham
Executive Director
(212) 988-9500 x 291
PPG@kenchild.org
Joan Flood Dwyer
Chief Operating Officer
(212) 988-9500 x 280
JDwyer@kenchild.org
Diane Fitzpatrick
Assistant Executive Director/Bronx
(718) 842-0200 x 210
DFitz@kenchild.org
Lawrence Perry
Assistant Executive Director/Manhattan
(212) 988-9500 x 267
LPerry@kenchild.org
Sari Anthony
Director of Development and Communications
(212) 988.9500 x 296
SAnthony@kenchild.org
Sheila Clark
Executive Assistant
(212) 988.9500 x 293
SClark@kenchild.org
Gerald F. Judge
Finance Director
(212) 988-9500 x 272
G.Judge@kenchild.org
Lisa Lyons
Building Services Manager
(212) 988-9500 x 266
LLyons@kenchild.org
Ann M. Scully
Administrator, Social Services
(212) 988-9500 x 262
AScully@kenchild.org
Megan Schmidt
Human Resources Director
(212) 988-9500 x 283
MSchmidt@kenchild.org
Joseph Spanberger
Director of Information Technology
(212) 988-9500 x 235
JoeS@kenchild.org
Employment Opportunities
Looking for a rewarding position? Join our team of professional educators, therapists, social workers, health care and nursing personnel, and classroom assistants. Use your skills to make a difference in the lives of children with disabilities and their families.
See a current list of Kennedy Child Study Center employment openings.
We currently have openings for:
- Teachers of Special Education N-6
- Speech Pathologists
- Registered Occupational and Physical Therapists
For more information on employment opportunities, please contact our Human Resources office:
Telephone: (212) 988-9500
Fax: (646) 422-0046
E-mail: humanresources@kenchild.org
Address:
151 East 67th Street
New York, New York 10065