Children’s Developmental Center selects Mercy to continue outpatient developmental therapy services for children

(AMHERST, OH) – The Children’s Developmental Center Board of Directors announced today that they will be transitioning all therapy services to Mercy effective August 2017.

For over 60 years, the Children’s Developmental Center (CDC), has been extremely successful in helping children with special needs reach their maximum potential through comprehensive outpatient therapy services at their facility in Amherst and embedded therapists in multiple Lorain County schools. The CDC’s board of directors recently made the decision that it could no longer continue operations, but wanted to ensure that services transitioned to a like-minded partner.

“Decreases in funding over the past several years have made operating the CDC fiscally challenging,” explained Scott Vilagi, board president, Children’s Developmental Center.

“After reviewing multiple proposals, our board determined that Mercy was the best provider to continue these critical services. The similarity of our missions and Mercy’s high-quality, comprehensive pediatric therapy program stood out the most to us. The goal is to ensure that there will be no interruption of services to children and their families.”  

 

Later this summer, the program will transition to Mercy Rehabilitation Services and outpatient therapy will be offered at two locations: Mercy Rehabilitation Services in Amherst at Mercy Health & Recreation Center, 47160 Hollstein Dr., and in North Ridgeville at 39263 Center Ridge Rd.

 

“We see a tremendous amount of value in the services offered by the CDC, including their strong relationships with the community, patients and partners,” noted Edwin Oley, CEO, Mercy Health – Lorain Region and Senior Vice President, Mercy Health. “It is an honor to be selected to continue their services which benefit many of our community’s children. It not only aligns with the Mission of our organization but provides Mercy with an opportunity to expand our pediatric therapy reach with new patients.”

 

Over the coming months, Mercy Rehabilitation Services will work closely with leadership at the CDC to ensure a smooth transition of services.

  • On-site school therapy programs at Lorain County schools: Mercy has submitted proposals for the 2017-2018 school year to districts currently under contract with the CDC. The CDC will continue providing on-site therapy through the end of the current school year.
  • Outpatient therapy and summer camps for children: The CDC will offer outpatient therapy services at their facility until the transition is complete and will also hold their annual summer camp in July. Mercy’s pediatric therapy staff will be on hand to observe the summer camps and support the transition.
  • CDC therapy staff employment: To make the transition easier for children and families, Mercy is actively recruiting CDC staff to continue in similar roles.

The transition of outpatient development therapy services for children to Mercy is expected to be completed by August 2017.