The mission of Cerebral Palsy of
North Jersey (CPNJ)
is to enable people with physical
disabilities and other special needs to achieve their highest potential and to
lead fuller, more independent and active lives. The organization is dedicated
to the principle that all persons, including people with physical, mental,
cognitive, visual, speech/language and related delays and disabilities must be
encouraged to reach their maximum potential and be fully welcomed as members
of the larger community.
CPNJ
was founded in 1953 by parents of
children with cerebral palsy. The organization has grown from a small local
agency to a regional multi-service provider with over 300 employees serving
more than 1,000 infants, children, adults, and their families in Essex, Union,
Hudson, Passaic, Bergen and Morris Counties.
CPNJ
now serves individuals with a wide array of disabilities, including cerebral
palsy, mental retardation, visual and hearing impairments, speech and language
delays, and various other conditions stemming from developmental delays,
various genetic and othersyndromes and multiple disabilities.
CPNJ's
programs and services include:
*
Infant Services:
CPNJ's
Early Intervention Program in Bergen and Essex counties brings help to infants
and children from birth to three years of age who have shown delays in their
development. By working in a child's "natural environment" such as the home,
therapists and educators address each individual's disability and give
training and support for the caregiver.
*
Education:
The Horizon School in Livingston offers a comprehensive educational and
therpeutic program for students with disabilities ages 3 to 21. In a warm,
caring and supportive atmosphere, students are afforded the opportunity to
grow and learn at their own pace.
* Community
Based Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapy:
At the request of school
districts, CPNJ
provides occupational and physical therapy as well as assistive technology
services to children directly in their neighborhood public schools. The goal
of these services is to assist each child in becoming a more fully integrated
member of the educational community as well as to aid the family in including
the child in the commulity-at-large.
*
Adult Day Programs:
CPNJ's
three Adult Training Centers in East Orange (2) and Wayne serve individuals
age 21 and over with developmental disabilities. The program provides
recreational, social, learning, sensory stimulation and community integration
opportunities five days per week. Activities focus on life skills, self-care,
communication, mobility, personal awareness, arts, crafts and music, while
providing health, medical and physical and behavioral supports.
*
Housing:
Our two Group Homes in West Orange and Maplewood, and two additional homes
currently under development, provide around-the-clock guidance, supervision
and support to adults with developmental disabilities so that they can enjoy
the benefits of life in a secure and homelike atmosphere. A 24-unit
apartment building in Newark -- Essex Properties -- offers independent living
facilities to low income adults with disabilities who can live on their own
but who need some social service supports.
*
Respite:
The After School/After Work Program offers weekday afternoon respite to
families while creating opportunities for recreation and socialization for
children and adults with disabilities.
CPNJ's
REST Program offers twice-weekly afternoon activities for children with
disabilities whose families are experiencing heightened stress, plus education
and social service supports for caregivers.
The Family seems to be the most
effective and economical system for fostering
and sustaining the child’s
development.
Without family involvement, intervention is likely to be
unsuccessful,
And what few effects are achieved are likely to disappear once the intervention is
discontinued.
— Urie Bronfenbrenner
Copyright 2007
