Jawonio is a comprehensive disability services organization serving New York’s Hudson Valley region since 1947. Originally founded by parents of children with cerebral palsy, the organization has grown from operating Rockland County’s first summer camp for children with disabilities into one of the region’s most established disability service providers. Today, Jawonio serves over 5,000 children and adults annually through programs spanning early intervention, special education, residential care, mental health services, and employment support.

For families dealing with birth injuries, Jawonio’s Early Intervention Program offers critical support for infants and toddlers from birth to age 3 who have developmental delays or confirmed disabilities like cerebral palsy. The organization provides a true continuum of care, with services extending from infancy through adulthood under one organizational umbrella. This means families can build long-term relationships with a provider who understands their child’s history and can adapt support as needs change over time.

Best For: Families in Rockland or Westchester Counties whose infants or toddlers have been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, developmental delays, or other disabilities resulting from birth injuries, as well as families seeking long-term support that can grow with their child through preschool, school-age, and adult years.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths	Limitations
Nearly 80 years of expertise – Founded specifically to serve children with cerebral palsy, with deep historical roots in birth injury-related disabilities and continuous innovation since 1947.	Geographic restrictions – Services primarily limited to Rockland and Westchester Counties, with some extension to Orange and Sullivan Counties. Families outside the Hudson Valley region cannot access most programs.
True lifespan services – Comprehensive support from birth through senior years including early intervention, preschool, day programs, residential care, and employment services all coordinated under one organization.	OPWDD eligibility required for adult services – Day habilitation, residential programs, and most adult services require going through New York’s OPWDD enrollment process, which has its own eligibility determination.
Outstanding employment outcomes – Community Employment Services has placed over 5,500 people in jobs since 1986, with an exceptional average retention rate of 7 years and 200+ business partners.	Limited detailed information online – Website navigation can be challenging and some service details require direct phone contact to obtain complete information.
Integrated behavioral health – Unique combination of developmental disability and mental health services addresses dual diagnoses that many individuals with disabilities experience.
Major regional employer – As Rockland County’s 7th largest employer with 1,200+ staff members, Jawonio has significant resources and stability as an organization.

Services & Support

Early Childhood Services (Birth to Age 5)

Early Intervention Program (birth to 3 years) – State and federally funded evaluations, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, feeding therapy, service coordination, adaptive equipment clinic, and developmental groups
Special Education Preschool (ages 3-5) – NYS Education Department approved program with specialized instruction, counseling, speech-language therapy, PT, and OT
Universal Pre-Kindergarten – Free preschool for children turning 4 by December 1st
Private Pay Preschool – Integrated program for typical development alongside children with special needs

School-Age Support

Jawonio School Age Care (JSAC) – After-school respite program for children with disabilities ages 5-8 (free for OPWDD-approved children)
Summer Education Program – Continuation of Rockland County’s first summer camp for children with disabilities

Therapy & Clinical Services

Article 16 Outpatient Clinic – OPWDD-certified clinic providing physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, psychology services, and social work for children and adults
Adaptive Equipment Clinic – Assessment and provision of durable medical equipment through Early Intervention

Adult Day & Residential Services (18+)

Day Habilitation Services – Site-based and community programs including creative arts, volunteering, academics, advocacy engagement, and prevocational work in New City, Nyack, and Yonkers
Community Living Services – IRA and ICF residential homes throughout Rockland County, including the innovative Salmon House with state-of-the-art lift systems and smart home technology

Mental Health Services (Adults)

PROS (Personalized Recovery Oriented Services) – Individual, group, and peer support using CBT and DBT therapies
CORE Services – Mobile individual support from peer specialists in the community
Front Porch Program – Social and recreational support for individuals with mental health challenges
Drop-In Centers – Mental wellness social programs in Westchester

Employment & Vocational Services

Community Employment Services – Vocational assessments, job development, employment training, and supported employment with 650 participants annually
Retail Boot Camp – 75-hour career training program for retail employment
Pre-Employment Work Readiness Program – Structured initiative for adults with mental health diagnoses
Jawonio Job Junction – Pre-employment transition services for students with IEP or 504 plans (available in English, Spanish, Creole, and ASL)

Family Resources

Autism Resource Training Center – Hub providing resources, expertise, community outreach, workshops, and presentations for families throughout the Mid-Hudson Valley
Service Coordination – Available through Early Intervention and mental health programs

Locations & Contact

Main Campus
260 North Little Tor Road
New City, NY 10956
Phone: (845) 708-2000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Goodwin D. Katzen Early Childhood Education Center
155 Phillips Hill Road
New City, NY 10956
Phone: (845) 708-2001
Services: Early Intervention, Preschool, UPK, JSAC

Jawonio Westchester
176 South Broadway
Yonkers, NY 10701
Phone: (914) 963-8666
Services: Mental health services, Day Services

Jawonio TECH
775 North Main Street
New Hempstead, NY 10977
Phone: (845) 708-2000
Services: Article 16 Clinic, health services

Website: jawonio.org

Email Contacts:

JSAC Respite: jane.mullin@jawonio.org
Job Placement (Rockland): isabel.newmeyer@jawonio.org
Job Placement (Westchester/Bronx): stacey.kantrowitz@jawonio.org

Who Can Access Services

Age Range: Birth through adulthood (specific programs have age requirements)

Geographic Area: Primarily Rockland and Westchester Counties, with some services extending to Orange and Sullivan Counties

Cost:

Early Intervention services are completely free (state and federally funded)
Universal Pre-Kindergarten is free
JSAC respite care is free for children with OPWDD approval
Article 16 Clinic accepts Medicaid, Medicare, managed Medicaid, private insurance, and private pay with sliding scale options
Most adult services are government-funded through OPWDD and Medicaid

Eligibility Requirements:

Early Intervention requires developmental delays or confirmed disabilities (determined through evaluation)
Preschool Special Education requires Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) determination from your home school district
Adult services require OPWDD eligibility
Article 16 Clinic requires OPWDD eligibility and Medicaid enrollment

Accessibility:

Wheelchair accessible facilities with specialized equipment including state-of-the-art lift systems
Services available in English, Spanish, Creole, and American Sign Language
ASL interpreter and employment counselor on staff
Virtual service options available for some programs

How to Get Started

For Early Intervention (birth to 3 years): Contact your county’s Early Intervention Program to request a referral. Jawonio will then conduct an evaluation to determine your child’s eligibility and develop an Individualized Family Service Plan.
For Preschool Special Education (ages 3-5): Contact your home school district’s Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) for eligibility determination, then call the Goodwin D. Katzen Early Childhood Education Center at (845) 708-2001.
For Universal Pre-Kindergarten: Apply online at childcarerockland.org (or eram.k12.ny.us for East Ramapo residents) by March 31st.
For Article 16 Clinic services: Ensure you have OPWDD eligibility and Medicaid enrollment, then call (845) 708-2000 extension 1307.
For adult day or residential services: Complete the OPWDD Front Door application process. If your adult child lives with family, you’ll need to apply for an HCBS Waiver.
For employment services: Contact Isabel Newmeyer at (845) 708-2000 extension 2391 for Rockland County services, or Stacey Kantrowitz at extension 2396 for Westchester/Bronx services.
For general inquiries: Call the main office at (845) 708-2000 Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Bottom Line

Jawonio is best suited for families in Rockland or Westchester Counties whose children have cerebral palsy, developmental delays, or other disabilities resulting from birth injuries, particularly those who value continuity of care over their child’s lifetime. The organization’s greatest strength is its comprehensive lifespan approach, meaning your family can build a relationship with one provider from your child’s earliest days through adulthood, avoiding the stress of repeatedly searching for new services as your child grows. With nearly 80 years of experience rooted in serving the cerebral palsy community, exceptional employment outcomes (5,500+ job placements with 7-year average retention), and free Early Intervention services, Jawonio offers substantial value for families in its service area.

However, families outside the Hudson Valley region will need to seek alternatives, and those accessing adult services should be prepared to navigate the OPWDD eligibility process. If you live in Rockland or Westchester County and your infant or toddler has been diagnosed with a birth injury, Jawonio’s Early Intervention Program is an excellent starting point that can grow into a long-term partnership supporting your child’s development and independence.

Jawonio