$250,000 project made possible thanks to a grant from the State of Arizona and AHCCCS
PHOENIX – (May 23, 2024) United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Central Arizona, Laura Dozer campus, located in North Phoenix, is expanding services and opportunities for adults with special needs thanks to a quarter-million-dollar grant from the State of Arizona and Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS.) The day treatment center is also receiving a new name, ArizonAbility Adult Day Program.
The first major construction project the campus has undergone in 20 years focuses on the outdoor facilities at UCP of Central Arizona. The renovation includes an adaptive basketball court, artificial turf addition, installation of an accessible putting green, a greenhouse for a special needs gardening curriculum, wheelchair-accessible planters, misting system for climate control, an event space with canopy cover, adaptive exercise equipment, new landscaping and updated sidewalks.
“This project exemplifies our dedication to empowering adults with special needs and is centered on our continuous focus on inclusivity and growth for our members,” said Gail Stelling, Vice President of Adult Program Operations, UCP of Central Arizona.
“With meticulous planning spanning months, we are poised to transform the landscape of support services at UCP of Central Arizona with this enhancement. The new space will enrich social engagement, promote health and wellness and create a more inclusive community, all of which align perfectly with our mission of living a life without limits,” Stelling added.
Groundbreaking for the ArizonAbility Adult Day Program expansion project occurred on April 30, 2024, at the Laura Dozer campus at 1801 W. Parkside Ln., in Phoenix. Demolition is scheduled for May, and construction will take place from June to September. The official ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. The timeline for the project is strategically aligned to coincide with National Adult Day Center Awareness Week, September 16-20, 2024.
“ArizonAbility is a vital resource for individuals with special needs and their families by providing enhanced programs focused on meaningful impact,” said Kentay Garvin, CEO and President at UCP of Central Arizona. “Our goal with this project is to empower adults with special needs by prioritizing their voices and choices as well as expanding opportunities for social engagement and relationship-building, promoting physical activity and nutrition through recreation, and creating an environment that focuses on health and safety.”
With the scheduled updates and advancements, the adult treatment center program at UCP of Central Arizona anticipates significant growth in the year ahead, doubling membership from 16 to 36 members and increasing employees from five to 10.
UCP of Central Arizona's day treatment and training program for adults serves individuals with physical and severe developmental disabilities in a center-based setting at the main North Phoenix campus. Five days a week, members learn socialization, improve their language and communication skills, and accomplish individual goals established in their Individual Service Plans. The program is designed to provide members with choices from various activities that reinforce skill reinforcement in seven key areas of development: physical activity, socialization, communication, sensory, cognitive, fine arts, and daily living activities.
United Cerebral Palsy of Central Arizona has served families with disabilities across the Valley for more than 70 years. With the support of its Champion Partner, Circle K, UCP of Central Arizona provides comprehensive services to individuals with disabilities and their families by providing physical and developmental support, and educational growth for infants, children, and adults. In 2023, UCP of Central Arizona was named Outstanding Nonprofit Organization by the Phoenix Mayor’s Commission on Disability Issues. For more information about UCP of Central Arizona, the clients it services, and the programs offered, visit www. https://ucpofcentralaz.org/