ADAPT Community Network is one of New York City’s largest disability service providers, operating over 100 programs that serve more than 20,000 children and adults each year. Formerly known as United Cerebral Palsy of New York City, ADAPT has spent over 70 years building comprehensive support systems for people with cerebral palsy, developmental delays, autism, and other disabilities, including conditions that often result from birth injuries.

While ADAPT doesn’t specifically focus on birth injuries, their extensive network of early childhood services, special education programs, and family support makes them a practical resource for NYC families whose children experienced complications during birth. They offer everything from help navigating Early Intervention referrals to full-day preschool programs with integrated therapies, plus ongoing family workshops and care coordination for children with complex medical needs.

Best For: New York City families with young children (birth through school age) who need help accessing special education services, coordinating multiple therapies, and connecting with other families facing similar challenges.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths	Limitations
Extensive early childhood network – 11 preschools and one school-age program across NYC, plus integrated UPK and 3K options with built-in therapies and specialized support	Not birth-injury specific – Serves all types of developmental disabilities; doesn’t provide medical-legal guidance or connect families with attorneys for malpractice cases
Expert navigation support – Early Childhood Direction Center and Family Connect help families understand Early Intervention, CPSE, IEP processes, and special education systems from birth through age 5	NYC-focused geography – Nearly all services limited to New York City’s five boroughs; families elsewhere in New York State can access only limited referral support
Integrated therapies and technology – Speech, occupational, and physical therapy built into educational programs, plus assistive technology centers and equipment lending libraries	Dependent on public systems – Access to preschool and school-age programs requires going through DOE/CPSE processes, which can involve bureaucratic delays and paperwork
Long-term continuum of care – Services span from infancy through adulthood, including after-school programs, summer camp, respite, family reimbursement, and eventually adult day and residential services	No hospital-based support – Services begin in community settings after NICU discharge; no bedside support during acute hospitalization
Bilingual family support – Workshops and programs available in English and Spanish, with accessible facilities designed for children with significant physical disabilities

Services & Support

Early Childhood & Education

Early Childhood Direction Center for children birth through age 5 (Brooklyn location)
Referrals to NYC Early Intervention Program and Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE)
11 preschool locations with 12-month special education programs
Integrated UPK (Universal Pre-K) and 3K classrooms
School-age special education program for children with severe physical and developmental disabilities
IEP development and support through school transitions

Therapy & Medical Services

Speech, occupational, and physical therapy integrated into educational programs
Primary care, neurology, and physiatry services
Dental care
Vision training
Counseling and play therapy
Assistive technology evaluation and training
TechWorks centers and SHARE lending libraries for adaptive equipment

Family Support & Training

Family Connect workshops, forums, and summits (English and Spanish)
Parent mentoring and confidential advocacy guidance
Free training for parents on navigating disability services
Opportunities to connect with other families
Virtual webinars and online resources

Care Coordination

Children’s Care Management Program for eligible children enrolled in the 1915(c) Children’s Waiver
Health Home care management coordinating medical, mental health, and social services
Assistance navigating public systems and benefits

Financial & Practical Assistance

Family Reimbursement program for disability-related expenses
Housing assistance for accessibility modifications
Home alteration support through Doorways to Independence
Equipment access through lending libraries

Recreation & Community

After-school programs
Summer camp
Respite services
Adaptive sports and arts programs
Music therapy and swimming

Locations & Contact

Administrative Headquarters
80 Maiden Lane, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Phone: (212) 683-6700

Program Inquiries (Project Connect)
Phone: (877) 827-2666
Email: projectconnect@adaptcommunitynetwork.org

Brooklyn Early Childhood Direction Center
160 Lawrence Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11230
Phone: (718) 437-3794
Email: brooklynecdc@adaptcommunitynetwork.org

Children’s Care Management Program
Contact: Luisa Eusse-Roché
Phone: (929) 790-5470
Email: leusseroche@adaptcommunitynetwork.org

Sample Preschool Locations:

Brooklyn Children’s Pre-School Program: 160 Lawrence Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11230
West End Avenue Manhattan Children’s Program: 80 West End Avenue, New York, NY 10023

Additional program sites throughout all five NYC boroughs. Contact Project Connect for locations near you.

Website: adaptcommunitynetwork.org
General Email: info@adaptcommunitynetwork.org

Who Can Access Services

Age Range: Birth through age 21 for children’s programs (adult services also available)

Geographic Area: Primarily serves New York City residents across all five boroughs. Brooklyn Early Childhood Direction Center specifically serves Brooklyn families but can connect families to resources in other boroughs.

Eligibility Requirements:

Most services require enrollment through public systems: Early Intervention, CPSE, NYC Department of Education, or Medicaid/HCBS
Children’s Care Management Program requires participation in the Children’s 1915(c) Waiver
Educational programs require evaluations and IEP/CPSE referrals
Family Reimbursement and housing assistance typically require OPWDD eligibility

Cost: Most core services are free to families. Preschool, UPK/3K, school-age programs, Early Childhood Direction Center referrals, and Family Connect workshops are funded by New York State Education Department, NYC DOE, OPWDD, and Medicaid. Health services are billed through insurance or Medicaid.

Accessibility:

Wheelchair accessible facilities with barrier-free environments
Adaptive positioning equipment and accessibility modifications throughout buildings
English and Spanish services (bilingual workshops and Spanish-language classrooms available)
Virtual workshops, webinars, and remote consultation options
Augmentative communication systems and assistive technology support

How to Get Started

Contact Project Connect at (877) 827-2666 or email projectconnect@adaptcommunitynetwork.org to discuss your child’s needs and which programs might be appropriate.
For children birth through age 5, contact the Brooklyn Early Childhood Direction Center at (718) 437-3794 if you live in Brooklyn (or ask to be connected to resources in your home borough). They’ll help you access Early Intervention and navigate the CPSE process.
Work with Early Intervention or CPSE to obtain evaluations and recommendations. ADAPT and the Early Childhood Direction Center can support you through this process, but placement in ADAPT preschools requires going through official DOE/CPSE channels.
Sign up for Family Connect workshops to learn about your rights, available services, and how to advocate for your child. These free workshops are available in English and Spanish.
If your child has complex medical or social needs, ask about the Children’s Care Management Program by contacting Luisa Eusse-Roché at (929) 790-5470 to see if your child qualifies for the 1915(c) Children’s Waiver.
For accessibility modifications or disability-related expenses, inquire about Family Reimbursement and housing assistance programs through ADAPT’s Family Support Services.

Bottom Line

ADAPT Community Network is best suited for New York City families whose child has developmental disabilities or delays resulting from a birth injury and who need practical, day-to-day support navigating the city’s special education system. Their greatest strengths are helping families access Early Intervention and CPSE services, providing high-quality preschool and school-age educational programs with integrated therapies, and offering long-term support as your child grows.

The Early Childhood Direction Center and Family Connect programs are particularly valuable for families who feel overwhelmed by the maze of NYC disability services and need someone to help them understand their options. However, ADAPT won’t help with medical-legal issues or birth injury lawsuits. You’ll need separate legal resources for that, and their services are largely limited to the five boroughs of New York City. If you live in NYC and your child needs educational and therapeutic support rather than legal advocacy, ADAPT’s extensive network and decades of experience make them a solid resource worth exploring early in your journey.

ADAPT Community Network