Juanita Baldwin organizes a small group of parents to meet and form the Spastic Children’s Group.

The United Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County, Inc. is incorporated as a non-profit health organization on April 19th and serves 85 handicapped youngsters in the American Legion Hall in Hempstead.

A podiatry program is added to the program in Hempstead.

A seven-acre tract of land is purchased in Roosevelt for the construction of a cerebral palsy diagnostic and treatment center.

• The new CP facility opens in Roosevelt with five classrooms offering medical and educational programs.

• The Agency’s name is changed to the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County.

• Services are expanded to include psychology and a sheltered workshop program.

A dental clinic is started at the center and staffed by volunteer professionals.

Scouts in 1956

A day treatment program is established for adults over age 21.

An ophthalmology department adds to the growing medical program.

An adapted campsite and playground opens on the grounds.

An additional wing of 15,000 square feet further expands the vocational rehabilitation services.

Green Twigs

The Five Towns Nursing Health Related facility in Woodmere accepts 50 adult clients residing on one floor

An eight room, 15,000 sq. ft. multi-purpose wing is attached to the south side of the structure.

The Washington Avenue residence opens for eight previously institutionalized young adults with mental retardation.

The Communication laboratory opens with sophisticated electronic and computerized devices to assist individuals throughout the greater New York area.

The Renaissance at Bayville opens as a residence for 48 adults.

The UCP Bayview Nursing Home is acquired as a residence.  Located in Island Park, it has 185 beds.

Chairman of the Board, Hon. Ralph Caso

The Nassau Thunderbolts Sports team is established in October.

Clinic volunteers with a young student from the Children’s Learning Center

Agency is designated an infant massage site by the N.Y. State Department of Education.

• Developmental school certified to include learning disabled, mentally retarded and speech impaired children in its pre-school program.

• Childcare facility opens at 2 Decatur Street for staff and community youngsters in cooperation with Innovative Learning Centers.

• The Marvin L. Lindner Pavilion is dedicated.  Adds an additional 35,000 square feet to the Agency.  Occupied by 450 staff.

• Ground is broken for 30,000 square feet expansion of adult day treatment.

• Guardianship program is officially launched.

• Integrated childcare begins.

• School enrollment reaches an all-time high of 213.

• New York State funds toward the creation of adapted playground and the new recreation area are received.

• Respitality opens for families on Long Island at the Radisson Plaza

• Client population grows to over 1,200

• The Rehabilitation Technology Department holds its first exposition at the center for outside vendors which proved very successful.  Hundreds of professionals and consumers attend.

• The Kagan house in Baldwin opens as an IRA (individual residential alternative).

• The Diesman House in Freeport is donated to the Agency to serve as a residence.

• Notification of two legislative grants totaling $100,000 thanks to Senators Norman J. Levy and Ralph Marino is received.  The funds are used to cover half the cost of the outdoor recreational area and equipment for clients in the ADT classrooms and workshop.

• Under the UCP Study Bill, a joint effort between UCP/NYS and OMRDD, the Agency is awarded a grant to open two alternative residences.

• A free Saturday developmental screening for pre-school children is implemented.

• Total Agency client population rises to 1,300 individuals receiving services.

• Sixty-six families participate in the Agency’s Respitality program.

• A new program, Home and Community Based Waiver Services is funded by OMRDD, enabling the Agency to provide case management and training for 25 individuals while allowing them to remain in their homes with their families.

• The Developmental School sets a record with 219 students.

• An additional 30,000 square foot area opens for another 90 Adult Day Treatment participants.

• Three new residences open in Long Beach, the Heilbrunn House in East Meadow and the Edwards Street residence in Baldwin.

• Client population grows to 1,600

• Richmond Road Residence opens in East Meadow for five residents.

• Vocational Rehabilitation Services department changes its name to The Work center at UCP Nassau

• Agency establishes a nutritional clinic.

• An affiliation with New York College of Podiatric Medicine is established

Volunteer Clinic Aides

• The Children’s Learning Center enrollment increases to 237

• The Joseph Warantz Respite House is opened, providing planned and emergency respite to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families

• 4-H Club starts for boys and girls, 6 – 8 years old.

• Day Habilitation program is launched

Association President Bob Becker with Billy Roswell (6 years old), Gov. Nelson Rockefeller

• UCP Nassau celebrates its 50th anniversary.

• Connections House opens to further expand the Traumatic Brain Injury Program

• Day Hab Hub opens in Wantagh in December

• The ucpn is the first Agency on Long Island to offer the JFK Jr. Direct Care Generalist Program in collaboration with Lehman College and the John F. Kennedy Jr. Institute for Worker Education.

• Wantagh Residence established in February

• The Natalie Paymer Innovative Technology Center was dedicated and opened.  It was constructed through a grant that ucpn received from the Empire State Fund with the assistance of State Sen. Charles Fuschillo. This center serves as a resource both onsite and in the community.  The ITC provides assistive technology evaluations and therapeutic services in the use of appropriate technology to children, adults, professionals and families.

• Chapman Avenue residence established January

• Adams Gate residence established in August

• First Director of Quality Assurance named

• Majority of ADT program converted to site-based Day Hab

• ucpn is awarded the OMRDD Direct Care Recruitment & Training Initiative for TANF-Eligible workers

• Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg dedicates the Minnesota Avenue residence in honor of the Honorable Philip P. Healey in May

• 50th anniversary of the ucpn Forget-me-Not Ball

Primary care services initiated through Fortunoff Treatment and Rehabilitation Clinic

• Theresa’s Fun Place – A playground and park is established in honor and memory of former CLC student Theresa Russo

• Agency-wide Strategic Planning established

• First ucpn benefit concert held at the Tilles Center with the Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra in May

• Children’s Learning Center enrollment soars, breaking previous records.  Teen students go on first “super trip” to New York City for a boat ride around the harbor.

• The ucpn is featured on NBC-TV channel 4 in a segment about people, programs and services.

• Planned giving campaign re-established.

• First annual ucpn Toast of the Town event

• Life Options program is born in November

• Leon Root, MD, world-renowned physician and author, is named ucpn Humanitarian of the Year for over 30 years of volunteer medical service to ucpn

• Therapy departments are decentralized

• Clark Street Residence is dedicated in honor of Rupert Weiss Sr.  in December

• First annual ucpn Polar Bear Swim is held in March at Roosevelt Park in Oyster Bay

• 350 Washington Avenue residence established in September

• Smart Boards installed in some CLC classrooms thanks to support from the Hackett Foundation

• Ruth Greene honored by the ucpn Council of Auxiliaries with Lifetime Achievement Award for over 50 years of volunteer service

• Ellis and Dena Meyers Pavilion dedication in June

• Warren L. Hittleman dedication in the ucpn pool area in June

• 25th Anniversary of the Annual Golf and Tennis Tournament

• Human Resources establishes Curriculum for Workplace Success

At the Ellis and Dena Meyers Pavilion Dedication

ucpn consumers and staff celebrating the 60th anniversary

Karen and Carly Hittleman join Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg and his wife Ellen at the Warren L. Hittleman dedication ceremony

• Life Options receives Program Innovation Award from CP–NYS

• Agency video created by Rob Dircks, wins BOLI (Best of Long Island) award

• Bayville facility celebrates 25th anniversary

• Wantagh Day Hab celebrates 10 year anniversary

• “Teens for CP” Buddy Sports program celebrates 20 years

• Joe Piscopo sings with Creation and Nassau Pops at ucpn benefit concert at Tilles Center

• ucpn staff honored at Kennedy Fellows Program 20th anniversary and meet Caroline Kennedy

• Council of Auxiliaries celebrates 60 years of service to ucpn

• Trivia Challenge fundraiser celebrates 25th anniversary

• The ucpn Thrift Shop is recognized at annual meeting for raising $70,000 since opening in 2005

• Historic legislation: Gov. David Paterson signs a bill changing the name of the NYS Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) to NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD)

• Renowned orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Leon Root honored for volunteer service to ucpn and medical wing named for him

• Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano visits ucpn and meets program participants and students as well as staff

• Roslyn Savings bank branch managers visit ucpn and raise $9,000 for the Agency

• ucpn staff rallies to help people affected by the earthquake in Haiti.  55 staff members were directly affected by the disaster.

• Joseph Saccone, owner of the famed Villa Pierre hosts dinner to benefit ucpn

• ucpn adapts the Loren Eisely story, “The Star Thrower” as Agency theme “making a difference”

• The Children’s Learning Center Life Skills House opens on Decatur Street

• Teen academics class recognized by the INN for their volunteer work

• “Get Ready to Learn” movement program established at Children’s Learning Center

• All Children’s Learning Center classes equipped with whiteboard technology

• Life Options staff and participants work together to create training videos.  One, “Promoting Positive Relationships” is presented at NYSACRA conference to rave reviews

• ucpn is able to obtain two Rewalk exoskeleton devices that will help individuals with spinal cord injuries to stand and walk.  Training program here is the only one in the tri-state area.

• Workforce grows to over 850 employees

• Children’s Learning Center (CLC) enrollment at an all-time high with 270 students

• Ariane’s Musical Garden established at the CLC, dedicated in honor and memory of Ariane Thomas-Lutchmedial a CLC student.

• Students from the Children’s Learning Center surf in the Atlantic Ocean in Long Beach!

• Diane Berger, CLC Principal is presented with the Outstanding Leadership Award by the Council for Exceptional Children, Long Island Chapter.

• Facebook and social media account for over $50,000 in donations to ucpn

• ucpn Life Options Training Video wins the Innovative Program Award from CP-NYS

• The ucpn is honored by the “Let All the Children Play” organization

• Superstorm Sandy creates significant challenges for ucpn including devastation of homes in Long Beach, and directly affects staff, consumers, families and volunteers.

65th Anniversary of the Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County