In 1976, a group of parents of autistic adolescents came together to organize Special Citizens as a nonprofit organization. The organization began as a vehicle to advocate for ongoing adult programs for their children who had aged out of Special Education services with very little options for long-term housing or day programming. The group of parents began their journey in 1977. Upon approval of a three-year grant from the then OMRDD, Special Citizens opened its first group home in Westchester (Cortlandt Intermediate Care Facility) on December 7, 1981. We are committed to the development and delivery of a comprehensive, integrated system of services, which has as its primary purpose the promotion and attainment of independence, inclusion, individuality and productivity for adults and children with autism. Special Citizens has a workforce of 200 employees supporting over 350 people with Autism Spectrum Disorders throughout the Bronx, Manhattan and Westchester County. Special Citizens provides the following services: Residential (Individual Residential Alternatives and Intermediate Care Facilities) Day Habilitation (Site and Community Based Day Options) Community Habilitation Supported Employment Pre-Vocational Support