Welcome House Expands its Supported Living Program
(WESTLAKE, OHIO) – December 12, 2014 – Welcome House Inc. has expanded its client base and supported living program to support the needs of clients formerly served by United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Greater Cleveland. The transitions of UCP clients are now complete, with 51 clients transitioning over the last two weeks, including today’s opening of a brand new site in Mayfield Heights, Ohio.
UCP of Greater Cleveland eliminated its supported living services program, transitioning this part of its business to Welcome House, another certified Developmental Disabilities provider in Cuyahoga County. This new addition to Welcome House has allowed the organization to grow exponentially and to serve additional clients with developmental disabilities.
Fifty-one clients of UCP of Greater Cleveland were impacted by this decision and were able to select any qualified provider of services in Cuyahoga County. Over 96 percent (51 of 53) of the UCP clients chose Welcome House as their provider. Now Welcome House will serve a total of 211 clients, growing from their existing 160. In order to care for these new clients,
Welcome House is hiring 100 additional direct support providers to their existing staff, growing their staff from 297 to 397. They also expanded their existing sites from 31 to 45.
Welcome House has steadfastly prepared to make the transition seamless for all entering into their family. They added 5 residential managers, one new nurse and 8 new vehicles. Welcome House is also currently evaluating new sites on the east side.
“We are committed to making the transition as seamless as possible for UCP clients and for both the UCP and Welcome House teams,” said Tony Thomas, executive director of Welcome House. “Our dedicated staff will provide the best service possible for these individuals and their families and we warmly welcome them into our family. We are also excited about our growth and ability to serve more individuals, including those with cerebral palsy.”
Welcome House, Inc. now provides residential and community services to over 211 individuals with developmental disabilities, including cerebral palsy, in 45 group homes and supported residential sites in Cuyahoga and Lorain Counties. The 397-person Welcome House staff is dedicated to meeting each person’s mental, physical and social needs through innovative, client-centered programming.
Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities support administrators have assisted in this process. “The difficult decision to end the Independent Living Program was made after careful consideration of all of the agency’s services and with the intent of remaining focused on programs that are unique to UCP of Greater Cleveland’s Children and Vocational Services,” remarked Trish Otter, President & CEO of UCP of Greater Cleveland. “We are committed to assisting these fifty clients in making a smooth transition to a qualified provider in Cuyahoga County, including our partner, Welcome House.”
About Welcome House
Welcome House has served individuals with developmental disabilities in Northeast Ohio for over 40 years. Every day our staff of over 397 dedicated caregivers strives to create a supportive atmosphere in which clients develop independence and a sense of competence by experiencing success at home and in the community. Welcome House operates 45 locations throughout Cuyahoga County. For more information, check our website at www.welcomehouseinc.org.
About UCP of Greater Cleveland
The mission of UCP of Greater Cleveland is to empower children and adults with disabilities to advance their independence, productivity and inclusion in the community. The not-for-profit organization offers comprehensive Children and Adult Services. With low administrative costs, 92 cents of every contributed dollar goes directly to the programs and services offered to children and adults. The headquarters of UCP of Greater Cleveland – the Iris S. and Bert L. Wolstein Center – are located at 10011 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, 44106. The agency has two other locations in Westlake and Highland Hills, as well as various vocational sites throughout Greater Cleveland. Please visit www.ucpcleveland.org.