1958: Kids Center Founded
In 1958, a group of parents of children with cerebral palsy filed the paperwork to become a nonprofit in Kentucky. They were incorporated under the name United Cerebral Palsy of Louisville.
The organization began by working as an affiliate of the national organization, United Cerebral Palsy.
The organization’s original commitment was to provide necessary therapies for children regardless of the family’s ability to pay. It is a commitment still upheld by Kids Center today.
From the beginning, United Cerebral Palsy offered three types of therapies: Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy. All three services are still offered at Kids Center today.
1986: Kids Center moves to Eastern Parkway
Kids Center left its downtown location, moving into the first floor of what was previously the Kosair Crippled Children’s Hospital on Eastern Parkway.
Exponential Growth and Re-naming
United Cerebral Palsy becomes Cerebral Palsy K.I.D.S. Center, keeping the same mission but changing the name to reflect the organization’s broader reach. K.I.D.S. stood for Kentuckiana Institute of Developmental Services.
And in 2009, to reflect an even broader array of services, Cerebral Palsy K.I.D.S. Center changed to Kids Center for Pediatric Therapies.
2012: Activities of Daily Living Suite Added
Kids Center opened its Activities of Daily Living suite, a unique portion of the center that links a bathroom, living room, and eat-in kitchen for occupational therapy.
The equipment in each room allows clients to practice skills like cooking, laundry, and operating household items in a safe and therapy-oriented environment.
2016: A New Era
Kids Center merged with the Louisville Pediatric Therapy Center, expanding the number of therapists and adding a second campus, the East Campus on Bluegrass Parkway.
2022: Challenges of Covid-19
Like other organizations, Kids Center faced the usual challenges of Covid-19: closures, masking, social distancing, and other necessary health protections. We applied protocols and implemented telehealth options where practical to ensure the health and safety of every person who enters our facility, especially those patients with vulnerabilities.
