UTICA — Upstate Cerebral Palsy has rebranded to Upstate Caring Partners to better reflect the variety of services offered by the agency for people of all ages and abilities.

Upstate Caring Partners (UCP) was established in September 1950 as a way to address the lack of programs and services for children with cerebral palsy. Over the years, the agency grew both in staffing and in the number of children receiving services. In 1974, UCP became a licensed diagnostic and treatment center by the New York State Department of Health. Over time, the agency has evolved to offer diverse services for children and adults with a multitude of differing abilities, in addition to cerebral palsy.

Geno DeCondo, who is the executive director of UCP, thinks that the name change was necessary to show what services the agency now offers.

“Our agency was founded over 70 years ago by individuals from our community who sought to develop services for their loved ones with cerebral palsy. As our agency has grown and expanded throughout the years, we have evolved to serve a broad spectrum of individuals with all abilities,” DeCondo said. “Today we employ approximately 1,800 full- and part-time staff at 74 locations across four counties and are the leader in Central New York in providing services to individuals with a wide array of intellectual and developmental disabilities and behavioral health related needs. The Upstate Caring Partners name will also have a broader appeal to candidates looking to begin and expand their career with an innovative human services leader in Central New York.”

“With the Upstate Caring Partners name, we will continue to empower people as we build upon our tradition of innovation in delivering services through evidence-based program models, and we will remain committed to seeking ways to develop services that meet emerging needs in our community,” DeCondo added.