Niagara Cerebral Palsy

At Niagara Cerebral Palsy, our vision is to be a service provider of the highest quality, for individuals with disabilities. Licensed by the Office of Persons with Development Disabilities (OPWDD), initially, services were limited to the care and treatment of children with cerebral palsy. Over the past 60 years, the agency has shown steady growth in the expansion and innovation of services, and now offers a continuum of services for children, adults, and their families. In 1960, the agency began providing half-day preschool education programming. Today, more than 100 children receive preschool education, clinical services, early intervention, and/or home-base therapy through the Niagara Children's Education and Treatment Center (NCETC). The center serves both disabled and non-disabled children from birth to five years old. In 1961, the Handy Cap Group, an "experimental workshop project", comprised of a loosely organized group of adults with disabilities was established. The workshop, the precursor to the Community Vocational Rehabilitation Center (CVRC), completed contract work from area companies. The vocational division expanded significantly since the opening of the workshop, and now provides vocational evaluation, training, supported employment, adult education, recreation, day habilitation, and other services for adults with all types of disabilities. The goal is to promote community integration, choice, and independence. NCP's residential division was established with the opening of its first residential facility in 1986. Additional facilities opened in subsequent years, and residential services now include Intermediate Care Facilities (ICF), Supportive Apartments, and Individual Residential Alternatives (IRA). This includes the HUD funded Geri Rose Garden Apartment Complex, built in 2003. Depending on the residential facility, individuals may participate in active treatment programming including occupational and physical therapy, or may receive services geared toward living independently. NCP operates an Article 28 Clinic providing dental, podiatry, audiology, and wheelchair services, and physical and occupational therapies. Other services include service coordination, residential rehabilitation, community-based waiver services, and self-advocacy. All services are individualized based on the needs and goals of the individual and his/her family. NCP's administrative offices and programs are located throughout the Town of Niagara, Lockport, Wheatfield, and the City of Niagara Falls.