On March 8, 1954 a group of parents met in Durham, NH to advocate for the needs of their children with developmental disabilities. Special education did not exist in schools. Families were told to send their loved ones to the state institutions instead. These intrepid parents formed their own school.

This was the first association in New Hampshire dedicated to children with intellectual disabilities. The group would go on to start the first special education classes in the state, play an instrumental part in closing the state institutions, and form a training center to provide employment for adults with disabilities.

​This association continued to adapt over time, including expanding into Maine in 2015, and changing to meet the needs of individuals of the region. Almost 70 years later, we continue on as Great Bay Services, providing specialized supports to empower adults with disabilities through our Case Management, Community, Employment, and Independent Living Support Services.