
Celebrating 75 Years of Empowering People and Building Community
For three-quarters of a century, Upstate Caring Partners has been supporting people in our community. As we mark this exciting milestone, we invite you to join us in celebrating 75 years of dedicated service, compassionate care, and unwavering commitment to empowering people across the Central New York region.

Our success through 75 years is a result of visionary leadership, exceptional staff, and committed community partners.
Spotlight on 75 Years of Making A Difference
Throughout our anniversary year, we’ll shine a light on the programs that make Upstate Caring Partners a leader in care and advocacy for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We’re excited to highlight the programs and people who bring our mission to life!
Specialized Education Programs
Education services for children between the ages of 3 and 21 who have been diagnosed with severe behavioral and/or developmental disabilities.
Behavioral Health
Offers comprehensive assistance to people of all ages and families in need of behavioral health support.
Adult Residential and Day Programs
Our adult residential options provide an atmosphere that celebrates each individual’s unique style and personality while supporting them in obtaining life goals, hopes, and dreams. Additionally, Day Programs provide individuals the opportunity to interact in public settings within their neighborhoods, enhancing their social skills and building confidence.
Children’s Residential
Our Children’s Residential Program offers a nurturing environment for children between the ages of 5 and 21 years of age who need additional care and support beyond what can be provided in their family’s home.
Education
Our education program provides a learning environment that helps each student to be successful and to reach their full potential.
Community Habilitation
Services designed to assist people with learning life skills to maximize their independence and support their long-term goals and dreams.
Early Intervention
Services for children from birth to 3 years old who have exhibited a delay in one or more areas that are essential for a child’s future development.
Preschool Services
Both integrated and non-integrated classrooms offer children the opportunity to develop foundational skills such as communication, group participation, and nurturing abilities.
Pieces of heART
A creative art expression program where multi-talented adult artists, ranging in age and ability, create art in a variety of media with the common goal of self-expression.
Vocational
Services that link job seekers and employers together in order to help individuals build and maintain the careers of their choice.
Research
Upstate Caring Partners applied clinical research team focuses on evidence-based practices that positively impact individuals with profound autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The Root Farm
Invites individuals and groups of all ages and abilities to immerse themselves in the wonders of nature, animals, and adventure.
75 Years of Impact
Since our founding, we have been driven by a mission to empower people and build meaningful connections with those we serve. Our journey has been shaped by partnerships with our community, the dedication of our team, and the countless individuals who have trusted us with providing innovative programs and services that support and create opportunities for people of all abilities.
On this special occasion, we reflect on our rich history, celebrate the successes we’ve achieved together, and look forward to the future. Thank you for being a part of our story.
First Source Federal Credit Union
Upstate Caring Partners Early Intervention services are for infants and young children who have exhibited a delay in one or more areas that are essential for a child’s future development. In an environment where state support is limited, partners like First Source have consistently stepped forward to co-invest with UCP in ensuring that these services are available and significantly impacting the positive trajectory of hundreds of children’s lives a year.
Louis Tehan
In 1979, Lou Tehan joined the agency and drove a period of unprecedented growth through strategic vision, astute management and team building, engagement with key partners, and sheer charisma and force of will. Under his leadership, the agency grew from a single location at the Kernan School basement in Utica to over 60 sites across 5 counties, serving tens of thousands across a range of needs and abilities.
Sprock Family
Led by the generosity of the Sprock Family, UCP opened the Daniel Sprock Learning Center in Rome, encompassing the development of physical, social and emotional skills leading to greater self-advocacy and independence.
Carbone Family
Upstate Caring Partners’ Tradewinds Education Center provides a safe, dignified and compassionate learning environment that focuses on evidence based, behavior analytic approach to instruction. Tradewinds pioneered the vision of bringing together residential and education services onto one campus with the Joseph and Inez Carbone Children’s Center in 2004.
Caruso McLean & Scalzo Zogby & Wittig
Upstate Caring Partners offers residential options for children as well as houses for adults, all in a caring and supportive environment that celebrates each individual’s unique style and personality and supports them in obtaining life goals, hopes and dreams. Residents in our houses such as Scalzo and Caruso have opportunities for social interaction with peers while being guided and mentored by direct support professionals.
Adirondack Bank
Upstate Caring Partners has established a strong and growing clinical team that is woven into all our educational, residential, community and recreational programming for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A showcase for this is the UCP Compassionate Care Conference sponsored by Adirondack Bank, attracting hundreds of professionals from around the country and world to Utica on a biennial basis.
Frank and Kristine Giotto & Family
Upstate Caring Partners Behavioral Health Program under the umbrella of Community Health and Behavioral Services (CHBS), is one of the largest providers in the region, offering comprehensive assistance with a variety of health issues. It is an integral component of the region’s healthcare network. The flagship of this program is the Giotto Center, opened in 2023 and serving over 6,000 people a year.
1950
Over a half-century ago, parents and grandparents from the Utica area were desperate to find a way to help children with Cerebral Palsy. The outlook for children with a developmental disability at that time was bleak since there were no programs or services to meet their needs. Through these families’ hope for a brighter future for their children, the agency was formed.
1979
The appointment of Louis Tehan as Executive Director in August 1979 marked the beginning of an unprecedented era of expansion for the agency. In 1983, Upstate Cerebral Palsy purchased its first building, which is the present-day Barneveld Campus. Not only was Upstate Cerebral Palsy growing with buildings, but also in the services provided. The agency established itself as a leader in addressing unmet and emerging needs, developing residences certified by the NYS Office for Persons With Developmental Disabilities to accommodate individuals relocating from Willowbrook and other Developmental Centers as they were closing and meeting the needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our region. Today, the agency operates 45 certified residences in four counties providing 325 individuals with a home to call their own.
1982
Spring House Clubhouse opened for Behavioral Health Services.
1983
Upstate Caring Partners service area expanded to include Oneida, Herkimer, and Lewis County.
1991
The agency was approved to operate day care centers which we now operate in Utica, Rome, and Westmoreland.
1992
The Education Division started in 1992 as Upstate Cerebral Palsy developed the first of its three Tradewinds Education Centers. The Utica campus was the first in our region to incorporate residential opportunities on the school campus for individuals with intellectual disabilities, primarily on the autism spectrum, whose severe behavioral and developmental issues present challenges to achieving success in their own school districts and family homes. As additional needs emerged for this model, the Rome Tradewinds Education Center with accompanying residences was constructed in 2005, and the Chadwicks Tradewinds Education Center was also opened in 2006. This program now serves over 400 preschool and school-age students annually, including day students and 72 who reside in 10 residences.
1999
Armory Drive expansion of the Annie P. Tilton Center for day treatment and education center.
2023
Upstate Caring Partners has been providing mental health services since 1977 and was one of the first agencies in our community to promote the role mental health plays in a person’s overall wellness. Currently, the two Office of Mental Health-certified Article 31 clinics deliver over 45,000 mental health service appointments annually. In addition, certified Community Residences and Mental Health Treatment and Supportive Apartments provide individuals with housing opportunities. School-based Behavioral Health Services are currently offered in locations in Utica and Rome. In 2022, Article 32 Substance Use Disorder services as approved by the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports were added as services to support individuals who experience co-occurring addiction and mental health issues. These services are also essential for addressing the impact of the opioid crisis on the individuals served by the clinics.
Support Our Mission
News & Events
Woman’s Fund of Herkimer and Oneida Counties Grant Awardee
We are thrilled to share that we have been awarded a grant from the Women’s Fund of Herkimer and Oneida
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Upstate Caring Partners Hosts National Down Syndrome Society Buddy Walk
Upstate Caring Partners, in partnership with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), hosted a community Buddy Walk® on Sunday, September
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