The Upstate Cerebral Palsy values of today were born 50 years ago when three local community leaders, Eiddon Jones, Maurice Sheehan, and Harry Gosling were brought together in 1949 by a common bond – each of them had a child or grandchild with cerebral palsy. Based on the needs and determination of these three community leaders, United Cerebral Palsy of Utica was incorporated in 1950.
The primary focus of the agency in the early years was providing therapeutic and educational services to preschool-aged children. Subsequently Early Evaluation and Intervention services as well as kindergarten services were added, thus paving the way for the agency to become a premier special education center. Now called New Discoveries Learning Centers, our services have become the model of special education throughout central New York combining inclusive classroom learning with therapeutic interventions, helping each child to achieve his or her highest level of success before returning to the home school district. To further enhance the preschool experience as well as meet the growing need for quality child care for working parents, Upstate Cerebral Palsy also opened day care centers at its preschool locations. This created the opportunity for inclusive programming that pairs students with special needs with typical peers in a fun and creative leaving environment. New Discoveries services are provided at more than six locations throughout central New York.
Our expertise in special education, coupled with highly skilled and dedicated staff, led to the creation of the Tradewinds Education Center, which provides educational as well as residential services for children for whom traditional classroom settings were no longer an option. What began as a program for 24 students in 1982, now provides services for more than 150 students from across New York State, serving as a model for other care providers.
The movement into residential services for adults with disabilities was one of the most significant periods in our history. With more than 35 residential homes managed by Upstate Cerebral Palsy, we are best able to match an individual’s needs with a setting that will help them to achieve their highest level of independence. Staff at Upstate Cerebral Palsy is dedicated to ensuring that all individuals are active, participating members of the communities in which they live. Our residents participate in the care and daily activities of their homes from grocery shopping to yard and garden maintenance.
Upstate Cerebral Palsy also prides itself on ensuring that individuals with disabilities who desire to stay in their homes are provided with the support and guidance to make living at home successful through our Community Services Division. Offering Medicaid Services Coordination, Waiver Services, Behavior Management Services, as well as respite services for care givers and family support help both families and individuals achieve success in home environments.
Because of the unique needs of individuals with complex disabilities, Upstate Cerebral Palsy opened the Community Health and Behavioral Services Clinic on Genesee Street in Utica. The center offers primary health care, as well as behavioral health services. These services are available to individuals living in agency residential programs, as well as the community at large, and help people to deal with issues such as mental illness, poverty and addiction. The center provides specialty medical services in the area of podiatry, neurology, dentistry, counseling and therapy, in addition to a variety of other services aimed at providing comprehensive healthcare that focuses on the patient as a whole.
As an organization on the forefront of addressing community needs, the agency met the drastic rise in autism spectrum disorders head on with the addition of the Promise Program for children with autism spectrum disorder. To date no other program in central New York offers such an intensive education and therapeutic program for children with autism spectrum disorder. We continue to be the leader in autism services with the creation of the Kelberman Center, an affiliate organization created in 2005 to focus solely on the needs of children and adults with autism spectrum disorder.
As community needs have changed, so have the agency’s programs and services. But at the core of new programs and new services has always been the agency’s commitment to quality. A commitment which was recognized in 2004 when the agency was honored with the Governor’s Award for Excellence as part of the Empire State Excellence at Work program, the first non-profit to receive this highest level of statewide recognition.
The Upstate Cerebral Palsy of today is an organization that is dedicated to creating exceptional opportunities for people of all ages with differing abilities. The agency currently offers hundreds of innovative programs designed around the specific needs of individuals and their families, recognizing a need and then proactively addressing that concern by creating programs and services to meet families’ needs.
From the first seven children with cerebral palsy in 1950 to the thousands of people it supports today, Upstate Cerebral Palsy remains focused on its vision of empowering people through exceptional opportunities, embracing and celebrating the everyday miracles that make life so special.
Upstate Cerebral Palsy actively pursues its vision of empowering people through exceptional opportunites and subscribes to the concepts of continuous quality improvement through its ongoing Partners in Quality program. Continuous improvement is sought in the areas of leadership, strategic planning, patient/customer focus, information analysis, human resource development and management, process management and performance results. In addition, Upstate Cerebral Palsy is regularly reviewed by various government agencies including NYS Department of Health, State Education Department, Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD), the Department of Mental Health and Department of Social Services. The agency also is affiliated with the County Department of Mental Health, and the Community Support System.
Upstate Cerebral Palsy participates in the Empire State Advantage (ESA) Program, which recognizes New York State businesses and organizations for continuous quality improvement and organizational excellence. In 2001, Upstate Cerebral Palsy received the Empire State Gold Award and was the first not-for-profit organization to achieve this highest level of recognition in the Empire State Advantage Program. In 2004, Upstate Cerebral Palsy was awarded the Empire State Advantage Governor’s Award for Excellence which is the highest award for leadership and management presented in New York State. Upstate Cerebral Palsy is the only organization in both the corporate and non-profit sectors in New York to receive this award in 2004 and the first ever in central New York.
Upstate Cerebral Palsy offers a full range of direct-care programs of life enriching services for individuals with differing abilities, and thier famlies. The age of program participants ranges from birth (i.e. early intervention) through adulthood (i.e. residences, day treatment, medical clinics) and are offered without regard to race, creed, gender, ethnic heritage, sex or handicapping condition. Upstate Cerebral Palsy is an equal opportunity/affirmative action agency.
Upstate Cerebral Palsy also offers a typical childcare program called New Discoveries Learning Center, which is open to the general public. The Centers, located in Utica, Rome and Barneveld, provide childcare for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and after-school care.
Upstate Cerebral Palsy is the premier provider of direct-care services and programs for individuals who are physically, developmentally, or mentally challenged and their families. Upstate Cerebral Palsy currently employs nearly 1,900 full and part-time employees at 74 locations throughout central New York. As direct-care and education centers, these include medical, clinical and therapeutic personnel, teachers, social service staff, maintenance, clerical and general support staff.
Providing care and support to more than 15,000 children and adults in the last year, Upstate Cerebral Palsy also benefits from the services and support of hundreds of community volunteers. As one of the largest employers in the central New York region, Upstate Cerebral Palsy centers also provide educational opportunities for students from area high schools, as well as works with several colleges and universities in hosting clinical and major-related student internships.
Health Care Coverage
Upstate Cerebral Palsy contributes to the insurance premium of all active full-time employees who choose individual or family health insurance coverage. Part-time staff regularly scheduled to work 20 hours or more per week may purchase these plans. New hires must enroll with Human Resources within 30 days of hire. Coverage takes effect on the first of the month following 30 days of employment.
Dental/Vision
Active full-time employees are provided Upstate Cerebral Palsy-paid individual coverage for dental/vision insurance and are eligible to purchase family coverage. Part-time staff regularly scheduled to work 20 hours or more per week may purchase this plan.
Health and Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan
Reduce taxable income by paying for medical and/or dependent care expenses through payroll deduction.
Health Insurance Waiver Plan
If you are covered by an alternative health insurance and coverage through Upstate Cerebral Palsy is not needed, you may apply for the insurance waiver and receive a payment from the Agency.
Retirement Plan
Upstate Cerebral Palsy contributes 4% of their regular earnings. In addition, Upstate Cerebral Palsy will match your own contribution up to an additional 3%.
Supplemental Retirement Annuities Plan
Help save for retirement with a supplemental tax deferred annuity.
Time Off Benefits
Paid holidays; accrued vacation, sick and employee leave time, based on employee categories.
Life Insurance
Agency provided coverage equal to annual salary plus $10,000 for full-time eligible staff.
Voluntary Life Insurance
Coverage for eligible staff and their dependents through payroll deduction.
Voluntary Disability Insurance
Additional coverage for eligible employees through payroll deduction.
W.I.S.E.
Optional home, renters, auto, etc. insurance premiums that are paid through payroll deduction.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
A confidential and independent counseling service available to all employees and their immediate families at no cost.
Reimbursements, Awards and Trainings
Tuition Reimbursement
- Partial reimbursement for pre-approved courses.
Paid Training and Orientation
Wellness Awards
- Receive a cash award or gift certificate for not using sick time.
Service Awards
- Receive a bi-annual award for continuous years of service, up to 12 years.
Direct Deposit Option
Safe, reliable, convenient, fast and free. Direct deposit into your bank or credit union.
The Upstate Cerebral Palsy Fringe Benefit Program is regularly updated and subject to change. Please confirm current details with the Upstate Cerebral Palsy Human Resources Office.
Please visit www.upstatecp.org under the news section for updated agency news and information.
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