President and CEO of CP Rochester, Happiness House and Rochester Rehab Center, who took over position in March, talks about expanding housing, increasing autism services and more
By Todd Etshman
Ability Partners, which consists of CP Rochester, Happiness House and Rochester Rehab, provides a lifetime of inclusive opportunities and services to people of all abilities.
Darrell Whitbeck in March replaced Mary Walsh Boatfield as president and CEO.
These three agencies play critical roles in supporting the economic well-being of the communities in which they operate, employing more than 700 staff and serving 6,800 individuals and families in the greater Rochester and Finger Lakes areas with a combined operating budget of $36 million, annually.
The agencies provide a host of services and programs, including early intervention, preschool special education, outpatient clinical services, social support services and various housing opportunities.
Q: What drew you to nonprofit work and helping people with developmental disabilities?
A: From a young age, I always found joy in helping others and this mindset set the stage for a lifelong journey that guided me to the nonprofit sector. Starting my career as an occupational therapist, I was fortunate to join Happiness House, my first job after graduating from college. The impact of this rewarding work became evident to me rather quickly. The people I’ve had the privilege to serve, along with their families, have been the driving force behind a remarkably fulfilling career. Additionally, it’s important to mention that this field tends to attract some of the most compassionate individuals.
Q: What type of disabilities does CP Rochester and Happiness House assist?
A: Under Ability Partners umbrella, we provide comprehensive support to people of all abilities. This includes those facing disadvantages, individuals with disabilities and those without disabilities. Our services extend to assisting individuals with economic disadvantages, those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, those who have experienced traumatic brain injuries or other acquired disabilities, as well as offering behavioral and mental health services to those in need.
Q: What goals do you have for the future of the agencies you oversee?
A: Our agencies have always been driven by the mission to address unmet needs within our community. While this will undoubtedly lead us in many directions, we also have plans to expand our current offerings. An area we aim to grow is housing, as it remains a critical need within our communities. Another notable initiative is the Golisano Autism Center, where CP Rochester serves as a founding member, and Happiness House provides preschool special education services. The demand for these services is exceptionally high and we want to meet the need for those services. Furthermore, our agencies provide an array of clinical services, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, behavioral health, and dental services.
Q: What are some of the challenges people with cerebral palsy and autism face in their lives today? Has their quality of life improved over time?
A: The quality of life for individuals with I/DD has certainly improved over time. With that said, there is still work to be done in the pursuit of fully inclusive communities. A key challenge revolves around access to work and housing opportunities which has a significant impact on individuals with I/DD, including those with autism. It is no secret that everyone is struggling with a workforce shortage and it is crucial to recognize the valuable contributions individuals with disabilities can bring to the workplace, yet there are limited inclusive opportunities for individuals with disabilities to access meaningful work.
Q: Are you facing some of the same recruiting issues as other agencies are in finding enough employees and staff?
A: The workforce crisis is front and center when it comes to the challenges that significantly impact our partner agencies. Years of inadequate funding, compounded by the impact of the pandemic and recent inflationary growth, have exacerbated a decades-long workforce crisis. Statewide, there is a staggering 20% staff vacancy rate in our field, with annual turnover costs exceeding $100 million for non-profit providers. These numbers are alarming, unsustainable, and have severe consequences for individuals with disabilities in New York who are losing critical support. We must work together to create an environment that values and supports the dedicated professionals who make a difference in the lives of those in need.
Q: How does our city compare to others in the assistance it provides to people with CP and autism?
A: While there is always room for innovation and improvement, I feel that the Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes regions have a great network of providers focused on meeting the needs of our communities.
The Golisano Autism Center is a one-of-a-kind establishment, founded by Al Sigl, AutismUp and CP Rochester. The center is specifically designed to grow and adapt to the evolving needs of the community and its success has been a model that providers have studied in an effort to develop similar settings in other cities.
Q: Can you describe the major sources of funding for your agencies and how successful they are in meeting agency needs?
A: The majority of our services heavily relies on public funding and has been subject to chronic underfunding. While we have been fortunate to subsidize some of the underfunding through community fundraising efforts, this model is not a sustainable model in the long run. Achieving health equity for this specialty population, in which services are properly funded through statewide policy, is critical to the viability of services.
Q: How important are volunteers in the success of your mission? Is it difficult to attract enough volunteers?
A: Ability Partners’ agencies are fortunate to have a dedicated and robust volunteer base to help ensure the success of our missions. Volunteers actively participate in all of our center-based programming and also contribute to enriching activities within our residential programs. Their involvement has been instrumental to our operations. Without the investment in a well-developed volunteer department, it would be difficult to achieve the same level of support and engagement from volunteers that we currently enjoy.
Q: How much innovation is required for your agencies to be successful?
A: The ability to innovate is essential for the long-term viability of our agencies. As providers in our field, we offer critical services to some of our communities’ most vulnerable members. In order to ensure ongoing success, it is imperative that we constantly evolve and adapt our program to meet the changing needs of the communities we serve, while navigating the fiscal challenges we face.