United
Cerebral Palsey Provides Unique Special Ed Services
Following
are responses to an interview with Susan Baitler, Assistant Executive
Director, UCP.
How
old is UCP? What is its current mission?
United
Cerebral Palsy of New York City (UCP/NYC) was founded by parents
of children with cerebral palsy 56 years ago. Its mission is to
provide the highest quality services in health care, education,
employment, housing and technology resources that support people
with cerebral palsy and related developmental disabilities in
leading independent and productive lives.
What
services does UCP provide? To what age groups?
UCP/NYC offers Early Intervention (EI) services, Preschool services
and a school age program. EI services are year-round and designed
to maximize social, emotional, physical and intellectual development
of infants and toddlers, ages birth to three, with special needs.
Preschool Services offer a year-round, comprehensive early childhood
special education and therapeutic program serving children ages
three to five. Preschool Services at UCP/NYC are suitable for
the child with multiple physical and developmental disabilities,
including challenging motor and health care needs. They are provided
in settings where youngsters with and without disabilities have
an opportunity to learn and grow together.
The School Age Program serves children and young adults between
the ages 5 and 21 who have severe physical disabilities and unique
educational, therapeutic and medical needs. The School Age Program
emphasizes academics, social and physical independence, quality
of life skills, and transitioning to adult services.
Is
there a center in every borough?
UCP/NYC
has centers in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island and the Bronx.
How
would a parent or teacher make a referral to UCP?
Referrals
are made through our Project CONNECT office, the entryway of all
services for children and adults. The phone number for Project
CONNECT is (212) 979-9700, ext. 720.
Does
UCP test a child and determine placement?
UCP/NYC
is an approved screening and evaluation site for all infants and
young children who may need specialized developmental service.
A team of certified professionals is able to provide assessment.
Does
UCP provide ancillary services such as speech and language therapy,
physical and occupational therapy?
UCP/NYC
offers clinical services including speech/language therapy, physical
and occupational therapies, social work services, nursing services,
and psychological services. UCP/NYC also offers family support
services including overnight respite, housing assistance, service
coordination, after school programs (for ages 5-12) and a Saturday
recreation program (for teens and young adults).
Is
in-home help provided?
UCP/NYC
provides in-home assistance on a limited basis.
What
about the costs?
Services
are funded by different State and City entities. Services are
provided to eligible infants, toddlers and children at no cost
to the families.
What
other information would you like to share with our readers?
UCP/NYC
also operates a SHARE lending library for books, videos, software,
switches and adapted toys. We also house two TechWorks demonstration
centers, a 3-week long summer camp in Brooklyn covering the time
between the end of the summer programs and the start of the fall
programs, two after school programs, and accessible playgrounds.
For more information, visit our web site at www.ucpnyc.org or
call (212) 979-9700, ext. 720.
Education Update, Inc., P.O. Box 20005, New York, NY 10001. Tel:
(212) 481-5519. Fax: (212) 481-3919. Email: ednews1@aol.com.
All material is copyrighted and may not be printed without express consent of
the publisher. © 2001.
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