People Helping People with Epilepsy
The Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut, Inc (EFCT) is a non-profit affiliate of the Epilepsy Foundation of America (EFA). We were founded in 1982 as the Epilepsy Support Group of Greater Hartford by a small group of concerned parents who were able to find adequate resources for their children who were diagnosed with epilepsy. Four years later, the group contacted EFA to apply for provisional affiliation, hired an executive director and changed its name to the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Hartford. In 1990, after satisfying national requirements and submitting a statewide plan for providing services in Connecticut, the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Hartford was awarded full affiliation and granted a change of name to what we are today: The Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut.
Over the years and through every stage of the organizational development, EFCT has remained committed to its mission of ensuring that people with seizures are able to participate in all life experiences; and preventing, controlling and curing epilepsy through services, education, advocacy, and research. This is accomplished through service areas that include Information, Education, Advocacy, Recreation and Support. Programs that are developed within these areas are designed to 1.) Improve how people with epilepsy are perceived, accepted and valued in society; 2.) Reduce the treatment gap between what CAN be done for ALL people living with epilepsy and what GETS done; 3.) promoting a global research agenda that will result in new treatment options to reduce and eliminate seizures, side-effects and other consequences of epilepsy.
Our Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors and a Professional Advisory Board. Our team of six fulltime staff follows their leadership as we complete our 2021-2023 Strategic Plan and develop 2024-2026 Strategic Plan.
From this cornerstone, we look ahead to not just building awareness but coming together to put an end to epilepsy.
Thank you for strong support as we move forward and build H.O.P.E (Helping Other People with Epilepsy)!
The Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut’s History
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1982
The Founding
Founded as the Epilepsy Support Group of Greater Hartford.
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1986
Provisional Affiliate Acquired
Became a provisional affiliate of the National Epilepsy Foundation called Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Hartford.
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1989
Executive Director Hired
Hired a full time Executive Director.
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1990
Awarded Full Affiliation
Awarded full affiliation and granted a name change to the Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut.
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2008
National Standards Met
Met new national standards for affiliation.
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2019
Achieved Silver Seal of Transparency
Achieved Silver Seal of Transparency on Guidestar.
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2015
Diastat Allowed in School Setting
Passed legislation that allowed for critical access to the emergency seizure medication, Diastat, in a school setting.
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2019
Advocated Funding for Katie Beckett Waiver Program
Successfully advocated for adding additional state funding for the Katie Beckett Waiver Program.
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2021
Passed Halyn’s Law
Passed Halyn’s Law, requiring the continuing medical education of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to include in-depth training on SUDEP.