The Upstate Cerebral Palsy of Utica. This organization was founded in April, 1949 by Eiddon
L. Jones, Maurice Sheehan, and Harry Gosling. These individuals each had children or
grandchildren with cerebral palsy and was desperate to find hope at a time when none offered.
During the mid-20th century in the Utica area, the outlook for individuals with developmental
disabilities was bleak; there were no services or programs to meet their needs. The founding
members wanted to provide support to people in the Utica area with differing abilities. The
mission that was developed for this agency is to provide innovative programs that support
people and create opportunities to fulfil life choices. "One person at a time, through everyday
miracles."
A major historical event that affected my agency was the COVID-19 pandemic; the agency
shut down and suspended services. For some individuals, depending on their disability, this
could have been detrimental. In 2021, the agency was finally able to reopen, but they needed
to have certain restrictions/guidelines for their programs in place in order for it to be a safe
environment for the staff and clients. Before the agency re-opened, they would communicate
with the staff, those who served, and the community at large about the operating status for the
essential programs. These programs include the Day Habilitation programs, the Education
programs, the Pre-Vocational programs and the Residential programs. There were certain
guidelines put in place for the Day Habilitation programs such as pre-entry/ pre-participating
screening for all individuals, social distancing, gathering in enclosed spacing, Day Program
Schedules and Activities, P.P.E., hygiene and cleaning, transportation with the clients, and
tracing/ tracking for COVID-19. There were certain guidelines that needed to be put in place
for the education programs as well, such as the New Discoveries Learning Center and
Tradewinds Education Center; these included revising the students to teacher and aides ratio.
High Country Behavioral Health was established to provide individual counselling, couples
counselling, family counselling, drug and alcohol services, psychiatric medication
management. Overall, to provide service to clients to achieve their best life. (High Country
Behavioral Health, 2022). High Country Behavioral Health was established in 1986. The main
office is in Evanston Wyoming. High Country Mental Health is a non-profit organization the
founder is not mentioned. High Country has 13 facilities ranging throughout the state of
Wyoming and Idaho. The individuals who work for this agency provide evidence-based
treatment methods that impower individuals, regulate emotions, and manage stress. (High
Country Behavioral Health, 2022).
High Country Behavioral Health mission statement states " It is our mission to effectively
listen, guide, and teach those who are at a crossroad in their lives how to build healthy
relationships, regulate emotions, and manage stress in order to reduce suffering and reach their
full potential for happiness and well-being. (High Country Behavioral Health, 2022).
Wyoming Department of Health states that " In March of 1886, the Wyoming Territorial
Legislature appropriated $30,000 for the erection of a state Mental Hospital, which was
completed in 1887. (Wyoming Department of Health, 2022). In summary the Evanston
Wyoming Mental Hospital now has 25 buildings surrounding the main facility. There are
living quarters, as well as a chapel and treatment halls. (Wyoming Department of Health,
2022). High Country Behavioral Health main agency is located in Evanston Wyoming.
The human services organization for this project The United Way of Central Maryland. For
over 90 years, United Way of Central Maryland (United Way) has been a human service
leader for the entire Mid-Atlantic region, encouraging all central Marylanders to give,
advocate and volunteer. Their mission statement is: The mission of United Way of Central
Maryland is to improve lives by empowering leaders and mobilizing the caring power of our
communities. We envision happy thriving communities where all people live their best lives
The United Way is an organization that is dedicated to helping individuals and families facing
poverty to meet their basic needs, stabilize and achieve lives where they can be self-sufficient.
There are several ways that they can achieve this such as through grantmaking, collaboration,
promoting volunteerism and advocacy, and mobilizing resources as a trusted fundraiser. The
United Way (United Way of America and now United Way Worldwide) was established in
Chicago in early 1918 when twelve delegates from centralized fund-raising agencies met and
came together to form a national organization to exchange ideas, experiences, and
recommendations. In 1925 The United Way of Central Maryland was formed by a group led
by Willoughby McCormick, who was the founder of McCormick & Company. To take
advantage of the services that The United Way were providing while having someone
advocate for the Central Maryland region.
There are many services that The United Way of Central Maryland provides, most of which
are focused on the needs of the community on which they are based. For example, a 211
helpline which is available 24 hours a day seven days a week, where people can call and speak
to someone about accessing any of the United Way of Central Maryland services. This
includes assistance on where to find places where Covid vaccines are being offered, help with
finding employment, and resources for those seeking treatment for alcohol/substance abuse.
Which has received over 195,000 calls. In addition to distributing over 290,000 meals to
needy families. Another program that they offer to the communities is offering eviction
prevention services that have allowed over 3500 families to remain in their homes. These are
just a few of the ways The United Way of Central Maryland has created an impact by helping
the people in the community live better lives.
References:
The united way of Central Maryland. The United Way of Central Maryland | Baltimore, MD |
Cause IQ. (n.d.). from https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/the-united-way-of-central-
maryland,520591543/
United Way of Central maryland covid-19 update. Powered by Ceros. (n.d.), from
http://view.ceros.com/united-way-of-central-maryland/covidresponse/p/1
United Way of America. Social Welfare History Project. (2021, January 22). from
https://socialwelfare.library.vcu.edu/eras/civil-war-reconstruction/united-way-of-
america/#:~:text=The%20United%20Way%20(United%20Way,exchange%20ideas%2C%20
experiences%20and%20recommendations.
Woodside, M. R., & McClam, T. (2018). An Introduction to Human Services (9th ed.).
Cengage Learning US. https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/books/9781337671262
High Country Behavioral Health. (2022). A New Way of Thinking: Your Partner in Mental
Wellness. Retrieved from: https://www.hcbh.org/about/
Wyoming Department of Health (2022). Wyoming State Hospital. Retrieved from:
https://www.health.wyo.gov/behavioralhealth/statehospital/history/ c c
Upstate Cerebral Palsy (2021). Upstate Cerebral Palsy.
https://www.upstatecp.org/about/history
Upstate Cerebral Palsy (2021). Upstate Cerebral Palsy.
https://www.upstatecp.org/news/covid-19
Upstate Cerebral Palsy (2021). Upstate Cerebral Palsy.
https://www.upstatecp.org/assets/Upstate-Cerebral-Palsy-Reopening-Plan-September-
2020.pdf
