President & CEO

Dear Friends:

Welcome to the Upstate Cerebral Palsy website where we hope you will learn more about this exciting agency and get answers to any questions you may have.  60 years ago, a group of concerned parents and grandparents wanted a better life for their children and grandchildren with cerebral palsy.  It was from their commitment and dream for their families that the Utica Cerebral Palsy and Handicapped Children Association was born in 1950.  Following this ground breaking event came decades upon decades of new programs and services that brought literally thousands of children and adults of all abilities and their families through our doors.

Following are highlights and milestones from Upstate Cerebral Palsy history across these decades, as well as notable happenings in our world from that time.  It is amazing how far we have come from these foundational years, beginning with one classroom in Kernan School serving seven children to supporting thousands of individuals today.  Throughout, we have held fast in our mission to empower people to live full, meaningful lives.  It is exciting to see what the next 60 years will hold for this agency and the new faces and success stories that will come through our doors.  We will always be here for those in need, working side by side with children, adults and families, as we have for the past 60 years.

Louis B. Tehan

President and CEO

A native of Utica, Louis Tehan has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Upstate Cerebral Palsy for over 30 years—managing, monitoring and expanding services for the organization founded in 1950 to provide services to individuals with special needs and their families. With an annual budget of more than $75 million, Upstate Cerebral Palsy employs more than 2,000 staff at 75 locations, providing life-enriching programs to more than 15,000 infants, children and adults throughout Oneida, Herkimer, Lewis and Madison counties and beyond.

Mr. Tehan is very active in the community. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Adirondack Bank, Camp Ronald McDonald for Special Children, Utica First Insurance Company and the Msgr. Denti Foundation. Mr. Tehan is also a member of Alpha Phi Delta National Fraternity and the Knights of St. John.

Mr. Tehan has previously held three governor appointments, including the NYS Mental Health Services Council, the NYS OMRDD Restraint and Crisis Intervention Committee and the NYS Advisory Council on Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. He currently sits on the NYS Hospital Review and Planning Council Codes and Regulations Committee, the Major Medical Equipment and Appropriateness Review Committee/Planning Committee and Project Review Committee.

Mr. Tehan has received several awards and honors during his tenure with Upstate Cerebral Palsy including Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce Not-For-Profit of the Year, Empire State Advantage Governor's Award for Excellence in the Workplace, NYSACRA Best of the Best Award, and the local BPW Employer of the Year Award.  In addition to agency honors, Mr. Tehan has also personally been honored with the following: Oneida County Historical Society Living Legend Award, Lutheran Homes Crystal Award, United Way Isabelle Arthur Award, the Cerebral Palsy Association of NYS Daniel Wieder Award for Professional Excellence, SUNY College Distinguished Services Award, and the Outstanding Alumnus of Utica College of Syracuse University.