Cerebral Palsy of Tri-County was started in 1957 by family members of individuals with Cerebral Palsy. Children with developmental delays or ones that are medically fragile have been able to acquire services over the past 57 years. This organization celebrated its 57th anniversary in January 2014.
The Center serves as an area resource to other agencies and school districts. No child is turned away due to a family’s inability to pay for services. When there is available space, same age peers or children from low income families may attend the licensed day care and preschool facility. The Center will accept state subsidy payments for daily Center fees. Comprehensive children’s therapeutic services are provided each day in accordance with a child’s doctor’s orders or a Missouri First Steps’ Individual Family Service Plan.
C.P. of Tri-County’s mission is to provide pediatric therapeutic services to children ages 6 months to 6 years, living in the counties of Jasper, Newton, and McDonald.
Cerebral Palsy of Tri-County accepts children from outside the three county or Joplin Metro Area area if the parent provides transportation.
Children with identified needs have access to the following therapies: early intervention, developmental, speech, language, physical, and occupational. When children are not in a therapy session they spend their day in a state-licensed pre-school environment. Bus transportation is provided within parts of Jasper County. The Center employs bilingual staff. Interpretation services are provided in Spanish and American Sign as needed.
The Center’s staff assists parents with finding funding sources for durable medical equipment as well as therapeutic services. The staff also assists with students’ transitions to public school from the First Steps Program to Early Childhood Special Education. The Center routinely collaborates and cooperates with the school districts of Joplin, Webb City, Carl Junction, and Carthage.
In Spring 2014, 112 student nurses and 46 dental hygiene students completed clinicals at The Center. These nursing and dental hygiene students were from Missouri Southern State University, Crowder College, and Northeastern Oklahoma A & M College (NEO). In addition, C.P. of Tri-County serves as an internship site for various student therapists in physical, speech, occupational, or developmental.
Education majors from area colleges also observe the children at The Center. For many college students this is their first experience interacting with a special needs child. Local high school child development and sociology students regularly visit the center.
For more information please call: Christy Groves Graham Ed.D. Executive Director at 417-673-4940.