A MONTH OF DISCOVERY JULY 2025

TCFD: A Month of Discovery

Dear Friends,

Summer at The Center for Discovery has been full of milestones and celebrations! From Governor Kathy Hochul joining us to cut the ribbon and tour New York’s first Children’s Specialty Hospital, to exciting summer programs, music, and seed-to-belly experiences, our community has been thriving. Read on to see how residents, students, staff, and supporters are making this season unforgettable.

Governor Kathy Hochul joined The Center for Discovery to cut the ribbon and tour New York’s first Children’s Specialty Hospital designed specifically for children and adolescents with complex disabilities. Accompanied by President & CEO, Dr. Terry Hamlin, the Governor met with TCFD staff, families, and program participants, seeing firsthand how this groundbreaking facility will provide short-term inpatient care, proactive treatments, and comprehensive assessments to help children thrive at home, in school, and in their communities.

Located on our 15-acre campus in Rock Hill, the hospital features classrooms, a therapeutic gym, sensory rooms, and healing gardens, blending medical excellence with The Center’s whole-person approach. Supported by federal and state investments, the facility serves children ages 5 to 21 who require integrated medical and developmental support, while also training and guiding families for long-term success.

Read the full press release here.

Welcome Courtney E. Burke to The Center for Discovery

We’re proud to welcome Courtney E. Burke, former NYS Deputy Secretary for Health and OPWDD Commissioner to The Center for Discovery’s Board of Directors. A healthcare policy leader and lifelong advocate for individuals with disabilities, Courtney brings decades of experience to #TCFD as we continue to expand our impact.

Welcome to the Board, Courtney!

Read the full press release here.

Decades of Advocacy, One Shared Mission: Thank You, Senator Schumer

Yesterday, we were honored to stand alongside Senator Chuck Schumer at Garnet Health in Harris as he announced new legislation to reverse harmful Medicaid cuts. This critical bill will protect local hospitals, keep healthcare costs down, and safeguard county and state budgets from devastating impacts.

Senator Schumer has been one of The Center for Discovery’s greatest champions for decades – from securing funding and advocating for our programs, to protecting individuals with disabilities and helping make our Children’s Specialty Hospital a reality. His leadership has strengthened healthcare in our region, supported thousands of local jobs, and helped ensure individuals in rural communities get the care they deserve.

We are deeply grateful for his tireless advocacy and unwavering belief in our mission. Thank you, Senator Schumer, for standing with us yesterday – and always.

Thanks to the generous support of Marty and his wonderful family, the Richard Humleker Concert Series continues to bring joy and connection to our TCFD community. This year-long celebration features monthly concerts in the fall, winter, and spring, and weekly performances during the summer. So far this season, the concert series has featured an incredible variety of creative and musical ensembles – sparking smiles, dance moves, and unforgettable moments together.

This summer, our Animal-Assisted Intervention and Education (AAIE) team　joined individuals from all residential groups, to bring smiles to corners of each campus. From curious guinea pigs to gentle rabbits, residents dove right into hands-on learning, laughter, and unforgettable moments of connection.

Seeing the light in their eyes as they met our small animal and miniature horses-alike, reminds us why animal-assisted interactions are so powerful. Here’s to new lessons for our community, and the magic that happens when we come together!

We’re bringing blooming joy to our Hurleyville community! The Center for Discovery’s fresh, organic, and locally grown flower bouquets can now be found at our friends at Forage & Gather! Each bouquet is carefully picked and arranged by interns in our IMPACT Internship Program, in collaboration with our Director of Herbal Education at our Thanksgiving Farm.

Fun fact – these flowers are grown by students who attend school at The Center – and represent meaningful learning, hands-on experience, and community connection.

Available while supplies last starting on Thursdays at 3pm—swing by Forage & Gather to grab yours!

Our Senior Director of Music Therapy, Conio Loretto, was featured on the Curtain Call Podcast alongside TCFD residents and students, AJ and Paul. The episode includes moving performances and an inspiring conversation about the power of music in our community.

The live excerpt aired on WJFF – Radio Catskill, but you can now listen to the full podcast anytime here.

What does an adapted bubble toy, basketball catapult, musical instruments and a whole lot of heart have in common? They all make a huge part of this year’s Hello Inclusion Music Festival at beautiful Bethel Woods Center for the Arts!

The festival brought together agencies, innovators, and guests who are focused on inclusion, adaptability, and accessibility for people with complex disabilities. The Center for Discovery’s Recruitment, ATLAS, and Innovation Teams came together ready to wow.

At the TCFD table, curious festival-goers got to play with some seriously fun tech — like the Innovation Labs’ switch-adapted bubble toy and their switch-adapted basketball catapult, which launched not only objects, but also conversations about inclusive design.

Visitors were excited to learn more about The Center for Discovery and diving into a world where everyone, regardless of ability, has the opportunities to thrive.

Fresh, local, and handcrafted with care, Sweet Hill Farm’s Grade A Creamery is now producing delicious, small-batch goat cheeses for purchase! This includes their famous feta and chèvre, made with the help of dedicated residents and students at The Center for Discovery. From milking and barn care to cheese making and baby goat cuddles, this is a truly one-of-a-kind program rooted in care, learning, and community.

Try some today – you’ll taste the difference!

Order online for pick-up on the following dates:

• Thursdays: 11AM – 1PM (orders can be placed Friday through Tuesday by midnight)
• Saturdays: 10AM – 12PM (orders can be placed Tuesday through Thursday by midnight)
• Carrus Institute, Monticello, NY

Pre-order here.

Sweet Hill Show Team Sweeps Delaware County Goat Show — Pebbles Crowned Best in Show

The Sweet Hill Show Team joined their friends in The GOATgetters 4-H Club at the Delaware County Goat Show in early August.

The results were better than the team could have ever expected! Our show team took both champion and reserve champion in the Discovery Showmanship class, and our young 4-H members were named Champion and Reserve in Novice Showmanship. The Sweet Hill Goats were also up for the challenge and brought home 6 Grand Championships and Best of Breed wins and 4 Reserve Grand Champions! To end the day on the highest of highs, Pebbles was named Best Goat in Show, beating out 93 other goats for the title.

What an accomplishment! Next up? The Grahamsville Fair, today!

We’re proud to share that The Center’s Innovation Labs has been selected as a winner of the 2025 CP State Program Innovation Award! This prestigious honor, presented by the Cerebral Palsy Association of New York State, recognizes the team’s outstanding, powerful and forward-thinking work—now celebrated across the state.

A big congratulations to Giordana Bell, TCFD Innovation Supervisor, and her dedicated team of innovators on this well-deserved recognition. More to come on this!