Agency Timeline
|
1950 |
UCP of Greater Cleveland is formed by a group of concerned parents of children with cerebral palsy. Services initially include a nursery school program, a children’s summer camp, a social-recreational program for adults and a mothers club. |
|
1953 |
UCP of Greater Cleveland is officially recognized as a 501(c)3 organization by the IRS. |
|
1953 |
An Academic Readiness Program is established to meet the needs of school-aged children. |
|
1954 |
James Woods hired as first Executive Director. Served for 28 years. |
|
1958 |
United Cerebral Palsy becomes a United Way partner agency. |
|
1961 |
Adult Workshop is established. Comprehensive Care Program opens at Metropolitan General Hospital |
|
1967 |
Women’s Committee is established to expand education about cerebral palsy, provide volunteer services and raise funds for agency programs. |
|
1976 |
First Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF Accreditation) is received. Fourteen consecutive three-year accreditations follow. |
|
1980 |
National Weekend with the Stars telethon is aired. Independent Living Program is established. |
|
1983 |
Certification as a Medicaid Rehabilitation Clinic is approved by the Ohio Department of Health. |
|
1986 |
Susan A. Dean, Ed.D. is named Executive Director. |
|
1987 |
Community Employment program begins for adults. |
|
1989 |
COMPUCAMP is established for children with disabilities. |
|
1991 |
Edendale House group home opens. |
|
1992 |
INTERFACE clerical training program begins at KeyCorp. |
|
1993 |
Certification as a Medicaid Habilitation Center and Home and Community Based Waiver Provider is approved by the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities. |
|
1995 |
High School/High Tech career exploration program for teens is established. |
|
1996 |
Capital Campaign for new facility is launched. |
|
1997 |
First supported employment site is established at Hospital Specialty Company (HOSPECO). |
|
1999 |
Iris S. and Bert L. Wolstein Center is dedicated. |
|
1999 |
Conductive Education pilot program is offered. Adult Day Support program is established. |
|
2000 |
“Sea World is Ours for the Night” 50th Anniversary Celebration. |
|
2001 |
Steps to Independence® children’s intensive therapy program is piloted. |
|
2003 |
Certification as a Level One Waiver Provider is approved by the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities. |
|
2004 |
Adult Day Support program expands with the opening of a third room. Community Employment Program receives 2004 Promising Programs & Practices Award from Rehabilitation Services Commission, Region V. |
|
2005 |
Fourth Adult Day Support room is added. Memphis House group home opens. |
|
2007 |
Patricia S. Otter named Executive Director. |
|
2008 |
UCP Westlake Opens. |
|
2010 |
Project SEARCH Transitional Program begins. UCP was recognized as a 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 Plain Dealer Top Workplaces Employer. |
|
2012 |
UCP expands Adult Day Support Services to the Eastside, opening UCP Highland Hills. |
|
2013 |
LeafBridge Alternative Education Program begins. |
|
2014 |
UCP closes Independent Living Program and merges Group Homes and Vocational Services to become Adult Services. |
|
2016 |
UCP rebrands their two departments. Children’s Services becomes LeafBridge and Adult Services becomes OakLeaf. |
|
2019 |
UCP purchases the two Group Homes (Edendale House and Memphis House) from the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities. |
|
2020-21 |
COVID-19 pandemic causes partial agency closures. UCP fully closes the Westlake and Highland Hills facilities. |
|
2022 |
Beth A. Lucas named President & CEO on January 1, 2022. |
|
2022 |
Resource Drive location opens in June 2022. |