About Us

For over 35 years, OFP has provided residential and day programs to adults with intellectual disabilities who are blind, visually impaired or deafblind. In 1969, before the licensed vaccine for Rubella was available, an infected pregnant mother’s chance of delivering a baby with Congenital Rubella Syndrome was between 50% and 90%. Congenital Rubella or CRS has a wide range of birth defects including intellectual disabilities, blindness, deafness, cardiac defects and other abnormalities. 

Parents of children with CRS in the southeast region of Pennsylvania turned to Overbrook School for the Blind to educate their children, so the school created a curriculum designed for children with deafblindness. In 1986, many of these children were preparing to graduate and there were limited adult providers for families to rely on. Bernadette Kappen, Executive Director of Overbrook School for the Blind, and family members of the OSB graduates advocated with the Pennsylvania government for residential services for adults with intellectual disabilities and blindness or deafblindness.

In July of 1986, Overbrook Friedlander Programs opened its doors to 22 adults with intellectual disabilities, visual impairments, and deafblindness. The first facility was located on the campus of Overbrook School for the Blind. OFP was named in honor of Julius Friedlander, the founder of Overbrook School for the Blind.

In October of 1986, Overbrook Friedlander Programs opened two Community Homes for six individuals who were being discharged from Pennhurst State School and Hospital. These six individuals had lived at Pennhurst for most of their lives in this institution, and this was their first opportunity to live in a home in the community.

Today, OFP operates four homes in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and five homes in Philadelphia. Of the adults we provide care for, 53% are Overbrook School for the Blind graduates.  In 2021, OFP continues to provide the services to individuals with intellectual disabilities and visual impairments but has now opened its doors to individuals without visual impairments.  

LICENSES AND ACCREDITATION

The Office of Developmental Programs, the Department for Human Services Licensing and the Department of Health oversees and licenses each home and the day program. The facility on campus is licensed by the Department of Health and the Department of Health Life Safety Division. The Community Homes and the Day Program are licensed by the Office Developmental Programs and the Department of Human Services Licensing.

Private Intermediate Care Facility (Wynnewood building)
55. Pa. Code Chapter 6400 Regulations.

Community Homes for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism   
55. Pa. Code Chapter 6400 Regulations.  Oversight by the Office of Developmental Programs.

Adult Training Facilities
55 Pa. Code Chapter 2380 Regulations.  Oversight by the Office of Developmental Programs.