Willowbrook on Staten Island in Richmond County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Baby Unit
Willowbrook Mile
We know today how important nurturing and stimulation in the first years of children's lives are to their development. But in the 1960s, when the Baby Unit complex was built, the medical community routinely recommended institutionalization for children whose development appeared to be delayed. With no other resources available, many families agonized over the decision to place their child at Willowbrook but they did so with the belief that their child would receive special care and training there. Sadly, within the institutional system, staff struggled even to meet the children's basic needs for personal care, active treatment, and protection from harm. Class-action litigation, won by families and advocates in 1975, made community services available that gave families the opportunity to care for their children at home. This led to the creation of a specific agency to support those with developmental disabilities. Today the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities manages a statewide service system to address these needs.
Erected 2022 by College of Staten Island, City University of New York. (Marker Number 7.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Science & Medicine
this page online
Location. 40° 36.17′ N, 74° 8.681′ W. Marker is on Staten Island, New York, in Richmond County. It is in Willowbrook. It can be reached from A Street 0.1 miles west of 4 Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 930 Willowbrook Rd, Staten Island NY 10314, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in New York City. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Connelly Center (approx. 0.2 miles away); Exposing Conditions at Willowbrook (approx. 0.2 miles away); Isolation to Inclusion (approx. Ό mile away); Consent Judgment (approx. 0.3 miles away); A Promise Fulfilled (approx. 0.3 miles away); Willowbrook Archives (approx. 0.4 miles away); Halloran Hospital (approx. 0.4 miles away); Building 29 (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Staten Island.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Willowbrook Hepatitis Study (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Regarding Baby Unit. The grounds of the notorious Willowbrook State School are now home to the College of Staten Island campus of CUNY.
Also see . . .
1. Willowbrook State School
2. College of Staten Island (CSI) CUNY. College website homepage (Submitted on February 9, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Additional commentary.
1. Location of the Marker
The marker is only accessible to the public Monday through Friday during sunlight hours.
— Submitted October 9, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 11, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 9, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 329 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 9, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
