Our Story

New Heights of Northeast Florida, formerly Cerebral Palsy of Northeast Florida, has been providing services to children, infants and adults with all disabilities since 1953 in the five county area of Duval, St. John’s, Clay, Nassau, and Baker.

 

Cerebral Palsy of Northeast Florida was incorporated in June 1953 by a group of local businessmen, interested physicians, and a group of parents of children and adults with cerebral palsy. The initial program involved an Occupational Therapist, a teacher, and seven clients with multiple handicaps.

 

Before 1982, programs were provided at locations scattered throughout a large area. That year, the Board decided to purchase a building to house all the staff and provide space where they could provide services and conduct all the programs.

 

Today a 12,000 sq. foot building near downtown provides a convenient location for professionals, para- professionals and support staff, governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, to provide superior services for hundreds of infants, children, adults and their families.

 

In June of 2008 it was decided to change the name to New Heights of Northeast Florida to better reflect all the services provided to the community. Approximately 80% of our clients have a disability other than cerebral palsy.  In addition to cerebral palsy we serve individuals with all types of developmental differences including autism,  Down syndrome, spina bifida, conditions due to low birth weight or prematurity, seizures and brain injury.  We remain a non-profit organization focused on quality of life for all individuals.

 

 

Our mission is to assist in meeting the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities, to support their families and provide opportunity for life-long growth and development. We provide to children and adults the appropriate therapy and academic training along with advocacy to help prepare them for future independence.