History
The Evolution of The Center for Discovery
Nearly 80 years ago, a few determined families came together on a front porch, united by a vision: to create a meaningful life for their children with physical disabilities. Today, The Center for Discovery stands as an internationally recognized leader in the care of people with complex disabilities, including autism and significant medical frailties.
1948
A group of parents from Sullivan County meet regularly with Beth Abraham Hospital in New York City to initiate services for their children with physical disabilities.
1950
The informal group of parents organizes to formally incorporate the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Sullivan County (UCPASC). This organization will eventually evolve into The Center for Discovery (TCFD).
1951
UCPASC launches its first clinic in two rooms at Liberty-Loomis Hospital, serving children from across Sullivan County with physical, occupational, social, and intellectual challenges.
1965
The first UCPASC treatment center and school opens on Wawanda Avenue in the town of Liberty, Sullivan County, providing clinical and educational services.
1980
Patrick H. Dollard is hired as Director of UCPASC, which has thirty employees. Shortly thereafter, the organization changes its name to the Sullivan Diagnostic Treatment Center. The agency begins to evolve to serving individuals with a broader range of complex disabilities and conditions.
1981
The Birth to 5 Symposium, held at Grossinger’s Resort in Sullivan County, is the first-ever conference in the nation designed specifically as an educational resource for professionals, parents, and others caring for children with disabilities. It explores the effects of environmental toxins during pregnancy and infancy.
1983
Terry Hamlin is hired and begins developing a formal educational curriculum for children with complex conditions.
1984
The agency opens its first residential Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) home in Rock Hill. An ICF is a long-term care facility that offers nursing and supportive services for individuals with complex conditions.
The agency begins planting small plots of vegetable gardens at the Rock Hill ICF, therein beginning its first farming venture.
The agency purchases twelve acres of land in Harris, New York in contemplation of building new ICFs.
1985
The agency opens three additional ICF residences on the Harris property.
1987
An additional four residential ICF homes are opened on the Harris property, with a focus on bringing back children to New York State from out-of-state placements, thus reuniting families and children.
1992
The agency purchases a 50-acre farm in Harris with plans to build new residential ICFs and expand supported work environments. The agency now serves a wide range of children and adults with complex conditions and employs 300 staff members.
1995
Thanksgiving Farm is established in Harris as a community-supported agriculture (CSA) project. In this model, community members purchase a share of the farm’s harvest and receive regular boxes of locally grown produce. Thanksgiving Farm also supports innovative work and nature-based curricula for individuals with complex conditions.
1998
TCFD opens two additional residences, Willow and Birch, launching a specialized program for children who are blind. Teachers in the program become certified as Teachers of the Blind and Visually Impaired through a grant from the New York State Education Department.
1999
The Sullivan Diagnostic Treatment Center renames itself as The Center for Discovery (TCFD).
2002
TCFD builds the Discovery Health Center (DHC), a state-of-the-art medical and clinical facility providing healthcare services to its residents. It becomes the first healthcare facility in the country to register with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). In 2004, the DHC earns USGBC’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification.
2004
TCFD collaborates with the Open Space Institute (OSI) for the purchase of Stonewall Preserve Farm in the nearby hamlet of Hurleyville, NY.
The Kresge Foundation awards TCFD a $350,000 Construction Challenge grant for development of the Discovery Health Center.
2006
Thanksgiving Farm receives United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Organic Certification, confirming that the farm has met strict national standards for organic farming set by the USDA.
2007
TCFD opens the Life Center, a new campus featuring four residences specifically designed for adults who are medically fragile.
2008
The Kresge Foundation awards TCFD a $1,000,000 Construction Challenge grant to develop the Michael Ritchie Big Barn Center for Environmental Health and Education, located at the Stonewall Preserve property.
2010
TCFD opens the Ridge Campus, the first campus in New York State specifically designed to support the environmental and sensory needs of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), further helping to return children to New York State from out-of-state placements.
The Michael Ritchie Big Barn Center for Environmental Health and Education opens in Hurleyville, earning LEED Platinum certification for its sustainable design. The facility supports the expansion of TCFD’s school program.
2011
TCFD purchases an 11,000 sq. ft. warehouse building on Main Street in Hurleyville, which will be transformed into the Technology Hub and Incubator at The Center for Discovery (THINC). THINC will serve as a significant expansion of the agency’s longstanding Assistive Technology program.
2013
TCFD partners with the Open Space Institute to purchase nine miles of the O&W Railway, supporting the creation of the Milk Train Rail Trail in Hurleyville. TCFD envisions its residents utilizing the rail trail for activities such as safe hiking and biking, all within close proximity to their homes.
2015
Dr. Terry Hamlin establishes the HealthE6® Model, The Center for Discovery’s lifestyle medicine approach. This model provides a foundational intervention aimed at optimizing health, functioning, and learning, yielding transformative results.
The model becomes the basis for Autism and the Stress Effect, a nationally released book benefitting The Center that offers families a step-by-step guide to reducing a child’s stress and anxiety. It emphasizes regulating the child’s environment, nutrition, energy, and promoting emotional self-regulation.
2016
Google.org awards TCFD a $1.125 million grant for the indieGo project. IndieGo is a device that seamlessly turns any manual wheelchair into a power wheelchair.
The Hurleyville Performing Arts Centre opens its doors, providing expanded opportunities for artistic expression and community engagement.
TCFD, now employing over 1,700 employees is designated as a Center of Excellence by the New York State Department of Health and Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD).
2017
The Milk Train Rail Trail is paved, making it accessible for all residents of TCFD and the broader community.
2018
TCFD hosts the Brain, Body and the Age of Complexity conference at the Hearst Tower in New York City, bringing together leading researchers, government officials, and community leaders about a range of complex conditions related to brain and body health.
TCFD continues to expand its research collaborations with leading universities while deepening its foundation and philanthropic partnerships to support innovation and impact.
2019
THINC grows to include the American Portfolios Assistive Technology Lab, and eventually transitions into the Innovation Labs.
Good Morning America, a national program on ABC News, produces a special segment on TCFD’s musical production of Beauty and the Beast. The feature highlights TCFD’s music therapy and dramatic arts program, which empowers students and residents to express themselves creatively.
2020
TCFD implements a comprehensive COVID-19 pandemic response plan, establishing best practices in the field. The organization maintains zero deaths among its residents throughout the pandemic.
TCFD and Northwell Health announce an Affiliation Agreement to explore ways the two organizations can work together to better serve individuals with developmental disabilities and medical complexities.
Dr. Terry Hamlin assumes role as President of TCFD.
2021
The USDA, with support from Senator Charles E. Schumer, awards TCFD a $45 million dollar loan which allows TCFD to break ground on The Children’s Special Hospital located Rock Hill, New York.
Innovation Labs relocates to the future Children’s Specialty Hospital in Rock Hill.
2022
TCFD and The John A. Hartford Foundation (JAHF) release a report, prepared by NORC at the University of Chicago, titled The Center for Discovery Program Evaluation: How the HealthE6® Model Can Support Healthy Aging. As an independent research organization, NORC examines how TCFD’s model can be applied to the care of older adults across various care settings throughout the United States.
2024
Dr. Terry Hamlin assumes the role of President & CEO while former CEO, Patrick H. Dollard transitions to a Senior Advisor role.
Community school program expands to include Early Learners and Explorers, a new initiative that provides educational services to students from Sullivan, Orange, and Ulster counties, starting with kindergarten through second grade.
The Children’s Specialty Hospital at The Center for Discovery and the Research Institute for Brain and Body Health opens in Rock Hill, NY. Co-located with the Innovation Labs, the Research Institute is designed to integrate biobehavioral research, clinical innovation, and data science to improve care and outcomes.
Governor Hochul signs legislation, spearheaded by Dr. Terry Hamlin, establishing a demonstration program for advanced residential health care for aging adults with medical fragility.
CBS Saturday Morning, a national broadcast, features The Center for Discovery’s transformative nutrition program and lifestyle medicine approach for individuals with complex conditions.
2025
The Center receives authorization to expand its community day school program by 60 students. As part of this expansion, the Hurleyville Performing Arts Academy – a school located on Main Street in Hurleyville – will open with an initial enrollment of 18 students with ASD.
The Center hosts its 25th Annual Evening of Discovery Gala, raising a historic $4.2 million – the most in the event’s history. Held at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City, the Gala marks a milestone moment in support of The Center’s groundbreaking programs and services.
The HealthE6® is rebranded as the SynergE6 Healthspan Model, reflecting a unified, integrated framework for health and quality of life.