50+ Years of Empowering Lives.
For more than five decades, KenCCID has championed the rights, independence, and inclusion of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. From opening one of Pennsylvania's earliest Community Living Arrangements to providing person-centered services today, our history reflects a lasting commitment to dignity, opportunity, and community.
KenCCID founding members (1974) signing KenCCID’s Incorporation.
Seated is Mrs. Ruth Frank; Standing from left to right are Teresa Vanderwoude, Barbara Bortell, Ellie Farsteinberg and Joan Hecht
How KenCCID Began
KenCCID was founded in 1974 by families who believed individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities deserved more than institutional care—they deserved to live, work, and thrive within their communities.
As one of Pennsylvania's early providers of Community Living Arrangements (CLAs), KenCCID helped pioneer the transition toward person-centered supports that promote dignity, independence, and choice.
Today, that same commitment continues through residential services, community inclusion, employment supports, and advocacy that empower individuals to live meaningful lives.
A Legacy Of Leadership
Behind every milestone are the families, advocates, staff, and community partners who believed that every individual deserves the opportunity to live with dignity and purpose. Their vision laid the foundation for the KenCCID we know today—a nonprofit that continues to empower lives through compassion, inclusion, and person-centered support.
Ruth Frank
Wife, Parent, Founder, Advocate
Mrs. Ruth Frank was one of KenCCID’s cherished Board members. She was a Founder and one of the original signers of KenCCID’s Charter of 1974. She, along with her late husband were Board members since KenCCID’s inception. Her son, Mr. Steven Frank was one of the first occupants of KenCCID’s community homes and received services until his passing in 2011. Mrs. Frank served as KenCCID’s Board President and Vice President. She always displayed professionalism and upheld her stance as the voice of reason in all areas, including Family and individual supports.
This amazing woman served on KenCCID’s Board as well as on the initial boards of COMHAR and of Kensington Management Services (KMS), a staffing agency that is affiliated with COMHAR. She served on the Board of Developmental Disability Committee, and on the board of the Consensus Panel. Her life was a testament to her devout passion for community services and the well-being of others. Mrs. Frank served in many official capacities on the Board until her retirement from the board in 2017.
Within the KenCCID organization, many of the staff and Individuals knew and recognized Mrs. Frank, as they built relationships with her over the years. She was a strong advocate of the Everyday Lives Philosophy, Individual Rights, Family Involvement and Community Involvement. Her determination in improving the lives of others was unfaltering.
Mrs. Frank possessed a strong business acumen strengthened by her years of growing and managing a family store in the Kensington area. Her youthful energy was attributed to her love of dance and exercise.
We mourned the passing of our beloved Mrs. Ruth Frank on December 11th, 2018. Mrs. Frank’s strength, courage, passion and wisdom, was and will always be, a source of inspiration and motivation to all who were fortunate to know and love her.
