HISTORY
“We’re one of Scranton’s best-kept secrets,” explained Sarah A. Drob, chief executive officer of United Cerebral Palsy of Northeastern Pennsylvania, when asked what makes the organization, commonly referred to as UCP of NEPA, so special.
“The name of our organization correctly implies we provide support to individuals living with cerebral palsy,” explained Drob. “But, we do so much more.”
How It Started
Founded in 1953, UCP of NEPA, originally known as UCP of Lackawanna County, formed to meet the needs of young adults with cerebral palsy (CP) and their families. Once operations began, the group quickly realized some people living with CP needed assistance in multiple ways.
“The agency itself and each of its program areas developed from identifying a need within a portion of the population of people with disabilities and responding to that need,” said Drob. “Changes in our services have most often happened because of the changing needs of people with disabilities and their evolving and growing role in society.”
As UCP of NEPA responded to these changes, the organization started offering more programs and helping more people.
Adult Day Services
Sporadic recreational activities for young adults with cerebral palsy comprised the first services offered by UCP of NEPA. By 1958, the organization established an office; the agency had become a member of the Lackawanna United Fund (predecessor of the United Way), and was operating a developmental program for adults three days per week.
As the program grew, individuals began creating crafts, which they sold to earn spending money. This program also continuously evolved to meet needs and began incorporating therapy services as well as social and recreational opportunities.
Moving forward and still to this day, UCP’s adult day service individuals receive those established services along with community participation supports enabling each person to actively engage in the community.
Caring for Children
Beginning in 1965, UCP of NEPA began offering early intervention services for children. In the mid-1980s, they established children’s center sites in Wayne and Lackawanna counties to meet the growth in enrollment in children’s programming and the development of new services.
“We recognized so many families needed daycare services for children with or without disabilities,” Drob explained. “By providing inclusive care and education, UCP of NEPA was one of the very first local agencies to provide integrated children’s care.”
Since this model’s inception, UCP of NEPA has taught children and their families how to learn and play together in ways that meet the needs of each individual with instruction, games, and computers. Although our early intervention services are provided to the child in their typical community setting, Lekotek services are offered at our children's center.
Home Services
Also starting in 1965, UCP of NEPA recognized some individuals with disabilities and their families needed help but did not qualify to receive services from established agencies. To assist them, UCP of NEPA partnered with Pennsylvania Elks Association to offer its Home Services program. This program, staffed by registered nurses / LPNs with strong backgrounds in the human services field, provides information, referral, and advocacy for people with disabilities.
Residential Services
Recognizing individuals with intellectual disabilities could be happy and successful living in their community, UCP of NEPA established its community living residences in 1975. By the end of the 1980s, UCP of NEPA established seven residences in our region which currently provide full-time support and services to 20 individuals.
We ensure the health, safety, and well-being of each person we support to be active, happy, and healthy members of their community.
Assistive Technology Resource Center
Established as an active service provider, UCP of NEPA jumped on the 1990s tech wave and partnered with Pennsylvania’s Initiative on Assistive Technology ultimately becoming an Assistive Technology Resource Center (ATRC).
“With the increased participation and involvement in the community of persons with disabilities, UCP wanted to help people navigate and function in a variety of settings and situations and increase their ability to communicate with others,” said Drob.
ATRC helps people with any disability as well as older individuals to access devices for mobility, communication, and self-care so they can maintain their independence, get around in the community, go to school, enjoy recreational activities, and hold jobs.
While the term technology is usually associated with electronic or digital products, assistive technology offers a wide spectrum of devices. From low-tech grabbers to pick up items from the floor or shelves to high-tech items like computerized voice output systems for people with speech impediments, ATRC’s availability of devices is immeasurable. Individuals may borrow an item from UCP’s lending library to determine if it meets their needs. If it does, they are welcome to keep it free of charge.