Young Children Receive Special Care at
Greensboro Cerebral Palsy Association
The Greensboro Cerebral Palsy Association is a child-friendly place where children with special needs can learn and enjoy fun activities.
Children with special needs, including those with cerebral palsy, receive personalized care at the Greensboro Cerebral Palsy Association (GCPA). With a variety of programs and on-site therapists, GCPA offers care five days a week to children from birth to age three.
When GCPA first began in the 1950s, it was standard practice for children with special needs to be sent to an institution. A group of parents was adamant that they wanted their children to live at home, so they worked together to create an organization that could provide the care their kids needed.
“It started as a two-hour program where the child and parent could be together and grow together. It was a collaborative process,” says Ma’Kayla Jefcoat, executive director. By the 1980s, GCPA grew to a full day program and has continued to evolve, now serving about 50 children during the school year at the Gateway Education Center and a six-week summer program.
GCPA provides quality services for children with disabilities including:
- speech, physical, occupational, and feeding therapies
- cognitive therapy and social stimulation
- parent education and healthcare support
- in-home visits catered to the needs of the family
- assisting with action plans, community access, and grief that may result from an infant or toddler with disabilities
“We have therapists on staff who work with the children constantly in the classroom. They provide optimal care all in one place that you can’t find anywhere else in our area,” Ma’Kayla says. “Some families have moved to Guilford County just so their child can receive our services. We provide a place where parents trust us, where they know their child is safe. We are a hub of support for our families and it’s amazing to be part of it.”
The summer program began last year. Held at Canterbury School in Greensboro, it provides opportunities for children to continue to grow during the summer by learning and exploring in a safe and adaptive environment. “When our children took the summer off, we noticed some regression. To address that, we started our Aubrey & Friends Summer Sunshine Program.”
“Every story at Greensboro Cerebral Palsy Association is a story of hope. Many parents and caregivers who come here were told, at some point, that their child would never be able to move around, nor would they be able to learn, communicate, or interact with other children. Many of these parents see their children achieve developmental milestones that seem almost miraculous,” Ma’Kayla says.
GCPA was looking for a new bank that would be a good option for a nonprofit. “TowneBank met our needs, and the customer service is great,” says Ma’Kayla. “We met with Jon Fulton, Greensboro branch manager, and right away he was interested in how he could help. Now he serves as treasurer on our board.”
Ma’Kayla suggests that people come by for a visit to learn more about GCPA. The organization can always use volunteer help for events like their Sports Spectacular which is an adapted field day. “Come have a play date with our kids!”