Armando Contreras, CEO of United Cerebral Palsy, joined us at UCP Heartland to see the impact of our programs firsthand. On June 16, 2025, Armando visited our Autism Clinic and our Adult Day Program at our headquarters. During this visit, he connected with our hardworking staff, saw the impact of the work we are doing, met clients, and heard their unique stories.

Armando made sure to meet with as many clients and staff as possible, shaking their hands and hearing about what they were up to. He even helped celebrate one of our clients, Bernie’s, birthday—clapping along to the birthday songs and enjoying the fun.

Armando shared, “The dedication, passion, and care exemplified by the UCP team are truly commendable!” United Cerebral Palsy also shared, “UCP Heartland is an excellent example of how the UCP Affiliate Network drives change and makes an impact in the lives of thousands every day.”

We are so grateful to Armando and United Cerebral Palsy for their continued support as we strive to make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities.

    

Our Autism Services program uses a comprehensive approach to behavior therapy for children with autism to achieve successful outcomes that increase the child’s independence. Based on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) principles, we provide high-quality therapy using evidence-based practices in a setting where the environment becomes a learning tool. This hybrid approach takes place in our center or in the child’s natural setting, such as home, school, daycare/preschool, etc.

Our Adult Day Services program gives participants the opportunity for continued learning, skills enhancement, socialization, and community inclusion. We provide individualized assistance for adults to choose activities and strengthen their skills. Services correspond with each individual’s abilities and include assistance with social, adaptive, and other skills to foster a greater level of independence. Clients benefit from a multitude of community groups who visit the centers to perform music, lead educational sessions, and share their talents with participants. Each adult day center focuses on home- and community-based services, providing choice and development for individual goals.

Our headquarters houses a majority of our administration and program teams, including our North St. Louis Adult Day Services location, which serves over 60 clients.

In the past five years, we have made notable strides as an organization. In 2020, we moved our headquarters building to North St. Louis County, offering a larger space for our programs and administration to grow. In 2021, our Autism Clinic serving Columbia, MO, opened, offering support to children and families through ABA therapy. In 2022, our Autism Clinic serving St. Louis, MO, opened, making it the first autism clinic in the city to offer support with no cap on Medicaid. That same year, our Independence Through Technology (ITT) program launched to help connect individuals to necessary assistive equipment and technology. In 2024, our second Adult Day Services/Administration building opened in South St. Louis County.

Our programs support our mission to provide children and adults living with differing abilities the extraordinary care and support they need to thrive in school, at home, at work, and in their community. Our programs include:

  • Adult Day Services

  • Autism Services

  • Early Childhood Development

  • Employment Resources

  • Residential Services

  • Respite

  • Services Navigator

  • Youth Camps