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1950
A group of parents on the South Shore mobilized
and raised funds to support an organization to provide services
for children with Cerebral Palsy.
1952
The agency was incorporated on June 20, 1952
with the stated purpose of providing rehabilitative and
related services for developmentally disabled children and
adults, and persons with handicapping neurological dysfunction
and their families. Services began in a one room clinic
at the Quincy Health Center where physical, occupational
and speech therapies were offered on a limited basis.
1955
The first school program for Cerebral Palsied
children in the United States was opened at the Furnace
Brook School in Quincy. Beatrice McHale provided leadership
for this innovative program which began with ten moderately
to severely handicapped children. Classes were held in one
room and whenever possible, students were integrated into
other classrooms.
1957
The agency concentrated on providing services
for adults for whom very little opportunities had existed
prior to that time. An Adult Class met at the Furnace Brook
School and at any given time, eighty adults participated
in arts and crafts, typing on electric typewriters, leather
craft, ceramics and a host of other social and recreational
activities. This program is ongoing to this day and is currently
held at the Lincoln Hancock School in Quincy.
1960
Under the leadership of Executive Director Arthur
Ciampa Cerebral Palsy of the South Shore established the
first nursery program in Massachusetts for pre-school children
afflicted with Cerebral Palsy and related disabilities.
That program has been in existence up to the present time.
1974
With a grant from the Hill-Burton Act and additional
private contributions, Cerebral Palsy acquired the building
at its present location in Quincy. Formal programs, therapy
and early intervention services for children were formulated
into structured programs that were individualized for each
participant.
1986
An independent fund raising campaign raised
over $150,000 to construct an addition to the building now
named the Roger Pritzker Wing. At this time it was necessary
to increase the size of the facility to accommodate expanded
services and programs.
1986
The agency opened a staff day care program to
care for children of staff employees. This program permitted
Cerebral Palsy to retain professional staff who otherwise
would have resigned to care for their children at home.
1986-87
The agency expanded its programs to further
meet the needs of a population without services and programs
adults with developmental disabilities. A Supportive Living
Program and a Personal Care Program were established to
allow adults to live as independently as possible in their
own homes and avoid institutionalization.This innovative
program provides services such as; skills training, personal
care attendants, case management, transportation and advocacy.
Cerebral Palsy continues to explore its role in the provision
of services for people with developmental disabilities so
that they can live as independently as possible in their
own homes and avoid institutionalization.
1998
The Board of Director voted to change the name
of the agency to Cerebral Palsy of Massachusetts, Inc..
The agency services consumers in over 100 communities in
the Commonwealth.
2002
The agency moved into its new headquarters in
the Wollaston section of Quincy in 2002. The move doubled
the size of its facility to 22,000 square feet. The new
facility houses agency administration, the Fiscal Intermediary
Program and the Childrens Developmental Center.
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