Cerebral Palsy of Tri-County was started in 1957 by family members of individuals with Cerebral Palsy. Approximately 5,000 handicapped and/or medically fragile children have been able to acquire services in the past 55+ years. This organization celebrated its 55th aniversary in January 2012.
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 The Center will allow children from low income families to attend the licensed day care and preschool facility. Comprehensive children’s therapeutic services are provided each day.
The organization’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 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 as needed.
The Center’s staff assists parents with finding a funding source for durable medical equipment as well as therapeutic services. The staff also assist 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 2012, 187 student nurses and 45 dental hygiene students completed clinicals at The Center. These student nurses and dental hygiene students were from Missouri Southern State University and Franklin Technical School in Joplin, MO, Crowder College in Neosho, MO and Northeastern Oklahoma A & M College (NEO) in Miami, OK. In addition, we serve as an internship site for various therapies such as physical, speech and developmental.
Education majors from various area colleges also observe the children at The Center. For many college students this is their first experience interacting with a medically fragile and/or handicapped child. Local high school child development and sociology students also regularly visit the center.
For more information contact please call: Christy Groves Graham Ed.D. Executive Director
417-673-4940