Our desire is to ensure that all people with intellectual, developmental, and behavioral challenges can achieve their fullest potential.
The Chimes Story
The story of Chimes began in 1947, when The Chimes School opened its doors with a small but devoted staff and a powerful force at its heart: the love of a mother for her child. Frances Bacon envisioned a place where children with developmental disabilities could experience more meaningful, enriching days.
That vision first came to life in the basement of a Baltimore church, where Chimes began as a special education day school serving just five students and their families. From those humble beginnings, Chimes has grown thoughtfully and purposefully to meet the changing needs of the people we support. Today, that legacy continues through The Chimes School, which remains a vital part of our mission...supporting, celebrating, and empowering students to reach their fullest potential.
What began as a single school has grown into a far-reaching network of services. Chimes now offers a full continuum of support that touches every stage of life, helping thousands of individuals with disabilities and mental and behavioral health needs thrive in their communities.
Now known as Chimes Family of Services, we provide a broad range of offerings, including community living, day habilitation, vocational training, employment services, and behavioral health care for more than 20,000 children, adolescents, and adults each year.
Through intentional, mission-driven growth, Chimes now operates in six U.S. states: Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and North Carolina, as well as the District of Columbia and Israel.
With a history spanning more than 75 years, Chimes Family of Services is carried forward through three distinct business models or service components: