About Us:
The Institute of Cognitive Development, ICD Bridges, was founded in 1977 to better serve the San Angelo area. ICD Bridges is a private, not for profit organization that offers two distinct services to the Concho Valley: New Bridge Family Shelter and Stone Bridge Training Residence. Our primary goal is to provide temporary housing and supportive services to victims of domestic violence as well as housing and developmental services to adults with mental retardation.

Mission Statement:
ICD Bridges Value Statement: We take tremendous pride in our ability to provide support and services to our surrounding community and we value the opportunity to contribute to the well-being and growth of individuals in need.

History:
In 1977, The Institute of Cognitive Development, Inc. (ICD BRIDGES) was formed by Laura Lee Baucum. The first facility, the Independent Living Training Residence (StoneBridge), an Intermediate Care Facility for the Mentally Retarded (ICF/MR) was opened and licensed to serve adults with mental retardation in 1978 The facility was federally funded by the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA). Today, the facility still operates from its original location at 20 South Koenigheim, in San Angelo, Texas. In 1979, ICD expanded its horizons and opened NewBridge Family Shelter.

StoneBridge is well known to provide outstanding high-quality care for the thirteen individual consumerswho live in the facility. StoneBridge serves not only to provide a living environment to adults with mental retardation, but also to foster mental and intellectual growth. Consumers are taught to strive for more independent functioning, and ultimately for independent living. The residence is a bustling, vivacious, loving environment full of warm, eager, and growing residents - monitored and cradled by a dedicated and emotionally generous staff.

In 1979, NewBridge Family Shelter opened its doors after Sister Janice Jolen, of the San Angelo Catholic Diocese, started housing victims of domestic violence and approached ICD to provide a safe haven to victims of family violence. This facility provides emergency shelter to approximately 700 victims each year and nonresidential services to approximately 275 victims annually. The program is funded through United Way allocations, the Texas Department of Human Services, Office of the Attorney General, Housing and Urban Development funds, and private donations. In 1997, services to victims were extended again. With the support of a dedicated Board of Directors and a grant from the Housing and Urban Development, the Self-Advocacy Center of the Family Shelter was constructed. This adjacent facility provides transitional housing to victims of family violence.

NewBridge Family Shelter focuses efforts on providing housing and services to victims of domestic violence with the objective to protect victims from further abuse, and serves as the first milestone in the beginning of victims' adventures into safe and productive lives. Since its inception, NewBridge has provided services and safe haven for over 25,000 individuals. The Family Shelter is a busy, energetic, and generous environment, bustling with families and children -- orchestrated by a dedicated, savvy group of caring professionals.