Mission: To be the leading advocate and provider of services to those with and without special needs in the community. The E. John Gavras Center is proud to be an advocate to the community and continue its distinguished history of providing quality services and support to all children, adults and their families in their endeavors to overcome special needs or challenges they may face in life.

Services: The service area includes Cayuga, Seneca, Wayne, Onondaga and Tompkins Counties. Evaluation and direct services from psychologists; special educators; and speech, physical and occupational therapists. Hearing screenings and service coordination. Orthopedic Clinic and Pediatric Clinic. Parent and family support groups. Parent and family nights. Parent resource library including Internet access. EPIC (Every Person Influences Children). Home visits. Early intervention services in home and center based for children birth-3 years of age. Includes all available services.

Early Intervention - Home and Center Based services provided by Special Educators, and Speech, Occupational and Physical Therapists for children birth to three years of age. Toddler and Parent Groups available to all children and families from the community on a space available basis.

Preschool- The Auburn Center Based Preschool Program serves children three to five years of age from the community, the Universal Pre-K Program of the Auburn Enlarged City School District, and those identified with special needs, in an integrated model. The Universal Pre-K Programs at Fillmore Elementary School in Moravia and Port Byron Elementary School serve children four years of age. The curriculum is based on developmentally appropriate practices with an emphasis on child-centered activities and is aligned with the N.Y. State Standards. Classes are half-day (2 1/2 hours) and may have up to 18 students. Certified teachers teach all classes within a co-teaching model.

Preschool Services- Available from all professional areas on an itinerant basis to community-based programs throughout the service area.

Therapy Services- Provided to area school districts on a contract basis and available to families privately.

Medicaid Service Coordination- Based on the principal of a "Person Centered Approach" to planning. The principal keeps the individual and his or her aspirations and abilities the focal point in the planning process. A Service Coordinator is a person chosen by an individual, his or her family or guardian, who will assist the person in identifying the type of help needed to attain his or her goals and aspirations. The Service Coordinator will then assist in accessing the types of services and supports identified. This is a Medicaid funded program operated under OMRDD.

Day Habilitation- The purpose of Day Habilitation is to develop an individualized service environment for each person to participate in. Each consumer will work with their Service Coordinator to determine which community based services they would like to build upon for a fully integrated schedule of experiences. Day Habilitation is not a traditional day program, rather an opportunity without walls to focus on the needs of the individuals. Individuals make rewarding connections and relationships within their community. Most activities take place outside of the home. This is a Medicaid Waiver program operated under OMRDD.

Residential Habilitation- Services help individuals with daily life activities and are usually provided within the home environment. In the Individualized Service Plan, a person has identified meaningful outcomes. This is a Medicaid Waiver program operated under OMRDD.

SUCCESS BY 6- A national initiative that is "dedicated to using the best of a community's resources to help all children succeed." Locally, a Success By 6 Community Awareness Action Team has been formed, with members representing many of the community's human service organizations. The committee's goal is to involve any and all organizations and businesses to promote and support early childhood development action plans in all areas of a child's life, including health and safety, education, physical and emotional development, literacy, family and community support.

Office Hours: Mon.- Thurs. 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Fri. 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Summer hours, 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. OMRDD programs operate 12 months.

Referral: Families, physicians, school district, County Health and Human Services Department, other human service agencies.

Support: State Education Department (SED), Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD), Department of Health (DOH), Private Pay, Insurance, United Way, Foundations and Grants, Family Support Services Contracts, School Districts and Medicaid Waiver.