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Programs and Services

Children’s Learning Center

Click Here to visit the CLC Website, too!

The Children’s Learning Center is a New York State Education Department Approved Preschool Special Education
EVALUATION SITE

Click here for more information on evaluations

Early Intervention Program

The Early Intervention (EI) Program of the Children's Learning Center provides educational and related services for children from birth to three years of age residing in Nassau County.  UCPN is a recognized and approved early intervention provider of a comprehensive taxonomy of evaluation and treatment services.  These services are provided on a twelve month basis in a natural environment for eligible children and their families.  The primary emphasis of this program is to provide family members with the support and knowledge necessary to foster confidence and carryover of educational and therapeutic skills in the home environment.  Classroom-based services are available for the children.  Experienced staff are available to serve as Ongoing Service Coordinators to assist families with their specific needs and concerns.

Preschool Program

The Preschool Program provides a multi-sensory approach to readiness skills for students ranging in age from three to five years.  This program enhances and integrates the motor, cognitive, language, perceptual, and social areas of development in order to maximize optimal learning.  An integral part of this program is ongoing parent contact that provides information and techniques to enable the parent to facilitate the learning process at home.  For many students in our preschool, the goal is to provide the students with the necessary academic and social/emotional skills to enable them to be mainstreamed into the public  school system.

Elementary School Age and Secondary Program

Students in this division of our school range from five to twenty-one. It is the largest section of our school with the main focus on developing skills that allow for academic growth and as much independence in functional ability as possible.  As in our other school divisions, a multidisciplinary team of physical, occupational  and speech therapists, psychologist, social workers, and related medical and adaptive equipment personnel help to coordinate and implement IEP (Individualized Education Plan) along with the teacher and classroom faculty.  Parents are asked to remain involved in their child's program by participating in classroom training groups, team meetings, social work groups.

Life Options

An exciting, new and innovative program which offers adults with developmental disabilities the opportunity to find achievement and satisfaction on a very personal level by allowing them to develop life skills and abilities.

For three days a week consumers are involved in Learning Modules where they choose activities of interest as per the schedule of activities developed by the consumers themselves. One day a week the consumers are involved in Community Inclusion activities in the community and one day a week consumers are engaged in Prevocational (paid) work activities.

Life Options offers consumers the opportunity to try out new experiences, to have direct input into program services offered and the ability to make informed choices and expand their horizons.

Consumers create a customized schedule from the array of learning modules developed through a brainstorming process. Individualized therapeutic needs are included in each participant’s customized schedule. Consumers go from one learning site to another based upon the individualized schedule that he/she develops. For some Learning Modules, a core curriculum will be developed leading to a Certificate of Completion of a particular skill or area. Guest lecturers, field trips and experiential learning modules are used to assist consumers in gaining the desired skills/knowledge base. Incorporated into Life Options is an evaluation component that assesses the viability of this program model and whether it is meeting consumer needs.

Life Options facilitates community and socialization skills by enhancing the consumer’s ability to converse about current events, to debate public policy and, yes, to be able to quote statistics and facts about why the Mets (Yankees) are the best baseball team around.  Knowledge, information and the ability to share that with others are what inclusion and community integration is all about. Life Options enables consumers to progress at their own pace, in areas that are of interest to them and in an environment conducive to the learning process.

Adult Day Habilitation

Adult Day Habilitation is a year round program serving individuals, 21 and older who are developmentally disabled.  Day Hab is a community outreach program where trained and qualified individuals with developmental disabilities provide local non profit businesses with community service.

• Must be enrolled in the Waiver Program and have a Notice of Decision (N.O.D.) along with Medicaid Service Coordination
• Comprehensive program which focuses on community integration and volunteerism in the community
• Off site Day Hab hub located in Wantagh fosters inclusion in the community
• Active volunteer sites include Yours, Ours & Mine Community Center, North Merrick Senior Center, Planting Fields Arboretum, Sandel Senior Center, A+ Child Care, St. Francide Chantal, Meals on Wheels, Island Harvest & Bide-A-Wee
• Occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, psychology and social work services available at the main campus through the Fortunoff Treatment and Rehabilitation Center
• Additional services also available include: dental, podiatry, gynecology, optometry, psychiatry, audiology, augmentative communication laboratory, rehabilitation engineering and respite

Medical Care at UCPN

Primary Care

Periodic health care/check-ups
Sick care  (colds, flu, ear infections, asthma, hypertension, etc.)
"Preventive" care and nutrition
Immunizations

Medical and Surgical Specialties

Periodic health care check-ups
Orthopedics
Spinal orthopedics
Rehabilitative medicine
Gynecology
Podiatry
Optometry
Spasticity management
Social work services/support

Mental Health

Psychiatric Evaluation
Neuropsychology
Psychology  (evaluation, treatment, counseling)
Psychologic testing
Counseling

Dentistry

Adult Dentistry
Child Dentistry
Dental Hygiene
Orthodontic referrals

Rehabilitation Services

Audiology
Physical Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Speech Therapy
Seating and Mobility, Pressure mapping,
Wheelchair evaluation
Orthotics
Augmentative communication,
communication devices
Computer access

Augmentative Communication Laboratory

The augmentative communication laboratory is a unique program serving individuals who are unable to use speech as a primary means of communication. The facility is staffed by an expert team of professionals, led by a speech/language pathologist and contains a wide range of equipment including highly sophisticated electronic and computerized devices designed especially for communication.

The lab serves people with various kinds of disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, ALS (commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease), multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, throat surgery or impairment from a stroke. With its expert staff and state-of-the-art equipment, the lab can help individuals express their needs and ideas and maintain control of their lives. Isolation is also greatly reduced since communication with friends and family can now be more easily achieved.

The communication laboratory offers evaluation and training in the use of these augmentative systems and is available to anyone who can benefit from this program. The program is conducted by the Speech/Language/Hearing Department at UCP Nassau, staffed by highly skilled professionals. The department works with the other therapy, rehabilitation technology and medical departments at the Center and is part of the Nassau Applied Technology Resource Center.

Services provided by the lab are generally covered by medical insurance, Medicaid or Medicare. Following the prescription of an appropriate communication system, the team is available to assist in obtaining funding for the purchase of equipment.

For more information, please contact the Augmentative Communication Laboratory at (516)378-2000, extension 279.

Fortunoff Treatment & Rehab

At the Fortunoff Treatment and Rehabilitation Center is our internationally known rehabilitation facility, you are assured of quality services implemented by a knowledgeable team working on your behalf.

Whether your problem is mild or severe, appropriate staff from every specialty are available on site for a full diagnostic evaluation, treatment, and referral.

The Fortunoff Treatment and Rehabilitation Center and the other community service programs have the unique advantage of functioning within a total therapeutic complex. Physicians, therapists, psychologists, social workers, engineers, educators and job placement specialists are among the professionals who are here to help you.

This is the only facility which can provide all these services at one location, offered by a professional staff who are recognized leaders in their fields.

Many programs offered here are not even available anywhere else in the metropolitan area. These include specialized dentistry for persons with disabilities, an outstanding augmentative communication laboratory, a leading audiology program, a computer evaluation and training program, the Nassau Applied Technology Resource Center, and head injury program.

In addition to receiving excellent professional services, outpatients at our facility have the benefit of a strong advocacy program to assist with obtaining help from other agencies; support groups which share experiences and concerns are conducted as well.

Services are provided for individuals of every age by an agency that is Long Island's oldest and most innovative.

When someone you love needs help, telephone us first at (516)378-2000 extension 290 (Department of Social Work)

Medical Services & Clinics

 Diagnostic Evaluations
Optometry
Orthotics
Nutrition Services

Physical Therapy

Rhizotomy Clinic
Infant Massage
Orthotics
Adapted Physical Fitness

Occupational Therapy

Splinting
Power & Mobility Wheelchair Evaluations & Training
Activities of Daily Living (use of on site model apartment)
Hand Clinic
Sensory/Motor Training

Speech/Language/Hearing/Services

Communication Laboratory
Communication Evaluation and Training
Audiology
Hearing Aid Evaluations & Follow Up
Hearing Screenings, Evaluation & Follow Up
Impedance Audiometer (middle ear function testing)
Therapeutic Feeding
Computer-Based Therapy Techniques
Occupational, Physical and Speech Therapy
Individual & Group Counseling
Vocational Rehabilitation
Family Support & Education

Psychology

Child Psychology
Vocational Counseling
Cognitive Rehabilitation
Family Counseling
Neuropsychology

Head Injury Services

Comprehensive Evaluation
Cognitive Remediation
Recreation & Leisure Services
Day Activities
Occupational, Physical and Speech Therapy
Individual Group Counseling
Vocational Rehabilitation
Family Support & Education

Social Work Services

Individual & Group Counseling
Advocacy
Placement
Respite
Family Support Groups
Referral
Intake
Home Services
Case Management

Rehabilitation Technology

Nassau Applied Technology Resource Center
Adaptive Seating
Mechanical Engineering
Adaptive Equipment
Innovative Technology Center:
      -Computer access evaluations/training
      -Assisted technology evaluations/training
      -Information/referral/consultations
      -Software lending library

Recreation & Leisure Services

On the Town
Challengers
Sports Team - Competitive, Internationally Recognized Nassau THUNDERBOLTS

Primary Care

Great reasons to choose primary health care at ucpn

The DOCTOR:  James P. McBrien, M.D. - Medical Director

Dr. McBrien's warm, friendly and caring manner puts patients and families at ease. Dr. McBrien is an experienced physician with a background in caring for adults, children and adolescents who are challenged by disabilities. He is a graduate of Downstate Medical School and was a resident at St. Vincent's Hospital in New York City with specialties in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics.

Dr. McBrien is dually certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Pediatrics and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Physicians.

The ASSOCIATION with ucpn

The new primary care program builds on the decades of experience of the United Cerebral Palsy Association and the medical and therapeutic services provided there. Many of you requested that ucpn offer the opportunity to receive primary health care through our agency. We are pleased to now provide this new service.

The SPECIALISTS

In addition to the primary care physician, specialists in a variety of disciplines are available to you through the primary care program. Renowned experts in the fields of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Pediatrics and Pediatric Specialties, Rehabilitation Services, Mental Health and Dentistry are available through primary care as needed.

The CONVENIENCE

Primary care services are located onsite at ucpn. Parking is convenient, all doorways, hallways, examining rooms and rest rooms are accessible. The medical office suite and spacious waiting area are modern and comfortable. State of the art equipment is featured throughout. Office hours are available by appointment from 8:30 am-4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. If necessary, appointments can be scheduled for other times. A medical staff member is available on call, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

INSURANCE IS ACCEPTED

For more information or to schedule an appointment call 516-377-2111.

Residential

United Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County’s (ucpn) Residential Program offers a variety of life style options in Nassau County for adults with developmental disabilities. Since the inception of the program individualized and personalized service has been the primary mission of the program. The residential team focuses on the person not the disability in an effort to provide both a home-like and integrated living environment. During each step of the planning process individuals are encouraged to participate. Whether it’s picking out the carpet and paint colors for their bedrooms or choosing service providers, ucpn strives to create environments that encourage personal growth, independence and choice.

The program operates a variety of living options including Intermediate Care Facilities (ICF’s), Individualized Residential Alternatives (IRA’s) and Independent Living Environments with a wide array of support services that are designed to enable persons receiving services to make the most of living and working in the community.

Intermediate Care Facility

In addition to the 48-bed ICF in Bayville, ucpn operates two smaller ICF’s in the community of Roosevelt.  In addition to the residence management team and direct care services 24/7, the ICF has a primary care physician, full-time nursing, and clinical services located on site. The intent of the program is to assist individuals to develop skills that will assist them in achieving a higher level of independence.

Individualized Residential Alternative

At present ucpn operates two types of IRA’s, supported and supervised.  The supported  IRA’s are located in the towns of  Baldwin and Long Beach.  Each three-bed home is designed to serve individuals that are able to live on their own with a minimum level of support.  Both homes are within walking distance from public transportation and large shopping districts.  Personal care aides assist the individuals in their activities of daily living while ucpn staff provide residential habilitation training, service coordination and facility maintenance.  Both settings are fully accessible and are connected to a central response station for emergency situations.

The supervised settings are located in the towns of East Meadow, Plainview, Bethpage, Wantagh, Bellmore, Seaford, Freeport, Levittown and Farmingdale.  In addition to spacious living areas and landscaped yards, each residence has specialized features ranging from ramped entranceways to strobe lights to roll-in showers depending on the needs of the persons receiving services.  The bedrooms are personalized, home-like and decorated in color schemes chosen by the persons receiving services.  Residence staff provides medical, transportation, recreation and habilitation services around the clock.

Independent Living

These settings are way ahead of their time. Simply put they are “The next best thing to home.” The three residences located in East Meadow, Baldwin and Long Beach each serve two to three individuals.  Since the homes opened nearly twelve years ago, the individuals served have developed successful independent lives in their communities.  Whether they spent their time earning a college degree, finding employment in the community or volunteering at a local college, the individuals living in these residences truly have achieved a level of independence once thought impossible for persons with developmental disabilities.

Oversight

A committee comprised of ucpn board members, individuals and family members regularly schedule visits to meet with the individuals in their homes to ensure that the agency’s philosophy of providing quality residential services is being carried forth.  In addition the residential services management team is on-call 24/7 to oversee emergencies, investigate incidents, provide training and ensure adequate staffing.  Most importantly, families and friends of the individuals are always welcomed as are their suggestions for quality improvements. 

Residential Development

The following residences are under construction:
Greenvale Lane
Arrow Lane

This is a very exciting time for the residential development team as renovations have just finished renovations on the three of six newly planned residences.  The homes located in Roosevelt, Levittown (2) Freeport, Farmingdale and Hicksville have each been designed to serve six individuals.  All of the settings will be equipped with accessible entrances, large, spacious community areas, roomy bedrooms, private treatment rooms, adapted bathrooms and specialized lighting.  All of the residences will have fire alarm sprinkler systems and around the clock awake staff to ensure the safety of the individuals served.

Long-Term Strategic Planning

The Residential Services Long Term Strategic planning committee, comprised of board members, family members, individuals and agency staff meets monthly to ensure that the department’s planning objectives are being met.  Presently the committee is working on a number of goals including; streamlining the screening and admission process for new applicants,  planning new development and refining the satisfaction survey process.  The administrative oversight in conjunction with the diverse membership of the committee ensures that the agency’s mission is being adequately represented by the planning committee.

Applying for Residential Services

For information regarding eligibility requirements or for an application for residential services, please contact Cheryl Solomito, Director of Residential Services, by e-mail at  or by phone at (516) 377- 2040.

Psychology/TBI Services

The department of Psychology/Traumatic Brain Injury Services at ucpn works with adults who have experienced a traumatic brain injury (i.e. head injuries, strokes, anoxia, brain tumors, mild dementias and other medical illnesses).  The program is available to individuals with a recent injury or illness as well as those who are further post-injury.

Connections Program

This community reintegration and socialization program is for adults who have sustained a brain injury, stroke or have another neurologically related disorder.  The program is located in a building on the ucpn campus that replicates a residential home.  Consumers attend the program on various days each week and participate in an array of goal-oriented and enjoyable activities including:

• ADL Skills Training
• Support and Self-advocacy Groups
• Managing Personal Finances       
• Community Inclusion Trips
• Current Events Discussions
• Sexuality Groups

 

Computers and Assistive Technology

State-of-the-art computers and adaptive equipment are available to all program participants. Computers are often used with individual therapies and groups. Treatment may focus on remediating memory, visual processing, reading, math, attention and problem solving.

Café Connections

This prevocational program is located in the UCPN staff cafeteria. Training for the Café includes basic job and interpersonal skills needed for work in customer service.

TBI Waiver Services

The Psychology/TBI Program is an approved provider of the following TBI Medicaid Waiver Services:

• Structured Day Programs   
• Community Integration Counseling
• Service Coordination
• Independent Living Skills Training

 

Payments accepted include Medicare, Medicaid and Third party insurance. For more information or to schedule a visit, please contact:
Psychology/TBI Services at (516) 378-2000, ext. 314 or medical department at ext. 265

Thunderbolts Sports Team

A competitive sports team for adult athletes with disabilities over age 21.

NASSAU COUNTY EXECUTIVE TOM SUOZZI
AND THE NASSAU THUNDERBOLTS IN THE NEWS

Nassau County Executive, Tom Suozzi, along with former Deputy County Executive, Hezekiah Brown visited ucpn today to present personal donations totalling $1500 to the Nassau Thunderbolts.

Mary Merritt played a key roll in introducing the team and all their great accomplishments to Mr. Brown who in turn spoke to Mr. Suozzi about the Thunderbolts.

Bob McGuire welcomed our guests and expressed thanks to Head Coach, Mary Hodge, all the athletes and the other coaches for their hard work and impressive achievements. Charlie Fleish, Thunderbolts Team Captain, expressed thanks for the generous support of the Thunderbolts' two newest benefactors and then presented our distinguished visitors, Mr. Suozzi and Mr. Brown with team shirts.

Coverage of the visit will air on LI News Tonight this evening at 7:30, channel 29, the Telicare station on cable.

A sports columnist from Newsday was also on hand -- check tomorrow's edition for coverage!

THUNDERBOLTS

Trained, determined, and hungry to win...

The Thunderbolts are intent on making a name for ucpn and themselves in the sporting world.

Freeman McNeil, Marty Lyons and Ted Banker, former N.Y. Jets, met personally with the Thunderbolts. They applauded the team for their outstanding achievements and recognized their advancements for the world of disabled sports. "Your determination is a source of inspiration for us all," declared Mr. Banker.

TRAINING

Individual training sessions and sport related training culminate for The Thunderbolts in an intense, four hour work-out every Saturday morning in the UCP Nassau fitness center and multipurpose room. Under supervision of the coaching squad, the athletes push the limits of their endurance and strength to redefine peak physical performance.

The advantage of nautilus equipment designed to match their specific needs and the support of on-site therapists makes the Thunderbolts fit, focused and a formidable force in disabled sports.

Backed with more than a decade of experience and a thorough knowledge of NDSA's 125-page rule book, Thunderbolt trainers are recognized as leaders in sports for the disabled. Notably, Head Coach Hodge was selected to train the U.S. Powerlifting Team in Sydney, Australia for the Paralympics in 2000.

COMPETITION

The Thunderbolts continue to train and excel in weight lifting and field events but have set their sights on becoming the nation's number one boccia team. Growing popularity over the Italian lawn game has made competition rise into a new level of excellence. Unlike other NDSA sports, boccia is not divided into level of disability or weight classes. Strategy and raw ability are the only determining factors.

Up against the U.S. Boccia Team at the 1999 and 2001 National Sports Festival, the Thunderbolts were in top competitive form, nabbing a gold and silver medal - an impressive feat for a team that is just starting to exhibit its potential. Not only did the Thunderbolts win the quarter finals, but they beat the powerhouse U.S. Boccia Team in the semi-finals. Since then, the Thunderbolts have been represented on Team USA twice. Once in Porto, Portugal by Mark Paramidani and a second time by Barbara Seamon at the America's Cup in Topeka, Kansas. Charlie Fleisch will soon be representing the Thunderbolts on Team USA at the World Boccia Championships in New Zealand.

Head Coach
Mary C. Hodge

Assistant Head Coach
Troy McPherson

Trainers

Kathy Murphy
Boccia

Ken Siderine
Boccia

Jeffrey Dean
Powerlifiting

Troy McPherson
Track & Field

James Thomson
Boccia

Elvis Trenchfield
Field & Boccia

Calling themselves The Thunderbolts, the UCP Nassau sports team burst onto regional meets 14 years ago, making a powerful statement - winning top place in the 60-meter weave, shot put and distance kick sanctioned by the National Disability Sports Alliance (NDSA).

Now competing in both regional and national competitions the Thunderbolts have racked up on impressive 200 plus silver and gold medals since their inceptions. With over 1,000 athletes participating in NDSA events, the Thunderbolts are quickly becoming a premier team to be reckoned with at any competition they participate in.

The team achieved national kudos when captain Randy Mitchell flexed his muscles and destroyed the old U.S. powerlifiting record in his weight class in 1997. The national record holder has worn the Thunderbolts uniform at the World Games, a precursor to the Paralympics Games - disabled sports equivalent to the Olympics, in Dubai, Saudi Arabia.

Watch out for the Thunderbolts as they make headlines into the next millennium. What's next is yet to be seen, but count on it being something you won't want to miss.

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The United Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County offers a complete array of programs and services to people with disabilities. Children aged one through twenty-one can benefit from the mobility and cognitive development programs of the Children's Learning Center. Adults can develop the skills to help them integrate into the community through innovative programs like Life Options. And the Fortunoff Treatment and Rehabilitation Center provides broad and deep care for individuals with many kinds of disabilities or head injuries. Explore our programs and services through the links below.