COMMON MAPS
Map version new-york activity top-down
Main site Contact
Menu
↑ parent activity group ·
research dossier

FINGER LAKES UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY
ROCHESTER, NY · EIN 160965912 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE G23Z · Voluntary Health Associations · Large ($10M-$50M) · happinesshouse.org
revenue
$16.7M
expenses
$15.1M
net assets
$8.4M
employees
446
volunteers
2,048
program ratio
90%
mission · from form 990

HAPPINESS HOUSE IS AN EDUCATIONAL, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE ORGANIZATION THAT EXCELS IN PROVIDING THE HIGHEST QUALITY INTEGRATED PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH AND WITHOUT DISABILITIES, TO THEIR FAMILIES AND TO THE FINGER LAKES COMMUNITY. OUR BELIEF IN THE PRINCIPLES OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, INDEPENDENCE AND REALIZATION OF INDIVIDUAL POTENTIAL IS THE CORNERSTONE OF WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO. WE BELIEVE "WHAT HAPPENS HERE CHANGES LIVES FOREVER."

profile · synthesized from sources

Happiness House, operating as Finger Lakes United Cerebral Palsy, provides integrated educational, therapeutic, and human services to children and adults with and without disabilities in the Finger Lakes region of New York. The organization delivers special education, therapy services, and community habilitation programs across multiple sites in Ontario and Monroe Counties. It emphasizes equal opportunity, independence, and individual potential through direct service programs for people with developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, and other challenges.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $1.97M
    SPECIAL CLASSES- THIS PROGRAM INCLUDES SPECIAL EDUCATION THERAPY. PERSONS SERVED 48
  2. #2 $2.66M
    OPWDD- THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES SERVICES TO PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. PERSONS SERVED 320
named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

Community Habilitation Program
Trains individuals with disabilities in daily living and community integration skills through in-home and community-based support
Diagnostic Treatment Center
Provides occupational, physical, speech, and aquatic therapy, as well as psychology and psychiatry services
OPWDD Services
State-funded program providing services to individuals with developmental disabilities across multiple sites
Special Classes
Special education and therapy services for children, including individualized instruction and therapeutic support
TBI Program
Supports individuals with traumatic brain injury through structured day programs and therapeutic activities
activities · 10 groups

What they do

  • Early Childhood Education & Development Programs 2 activities
    • Deliver early childhood special education and therapy services
      Provides comprehensive early childhood services including developmental evaluations, special education, occupational and speech therapy, and autism support for children from birth to five years of age in home, community, and center-based settings across the Finger Lakes region.
    • Provide preschool and childcare services for children with and without disabilities
      Operates inclusive preschool programs in Canandaigua, Geneva, and Waterloo, and previously operated a childcare program in Geneva for children with disabilities, supporting early education and development in center-based settings.
  • Residential Support for Developmental Disabilities 2 activities
    • Deliver services under OPWDD for individuals with developmental disabilities
      Provides long-term services and supports to individuals with developmental disabilities through the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) program, serving over 200 individuals annually.
    • Operate residential and transitional housing for individuals with disabilities
      Manages multiple residential facilities including an 18,500 sq ft administrative and service hub in Geneva, a 23,000 sq ft facility in Canandaigua, a transitional residence with eight efficiency apartments in Canandaigua, and a 20-unit apartment complex for individuals with disabilities; provides housing and community integration support for young adults with developmental disabilities and adults with traumatic brain injury.
  • Facility-Based Service Delivery 1 activity
    • Build and maintain infrastructure to consolidate and expand services
      Constructed key facilities including an 18,500 sq ft administrative headquarters in Geneva (1992), a 23,000 sq ft service center in Canandaigua (2005), a transitional residence (2013), and residential apartment complexes to improve service delivery and operational efficiency.
  • Day Habilitation Services 1 activity
    • Deliver day programs and community integration support for adults with disabilities
      Offers structured day programs for adults with developmental disabilities or traumatic brain injuries, including skill-building activities such as gardening and photography, GED preparation, and community outings to promote independent use of public resources and recreational opportunities.
  • Non-Discrimination Compliance and Access Assurance 1 activity
    • Ensure ADA-compliant access to services and facilities
      Provides non-discriminatory access to programs, services, transportation, and facilities for individuals with disabilities in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
  • Specialized Summer Camps for Disabilities 1 activity
    • Operate summer respite and special events programs
      Hosts a summer respite program for children and teens with developmental disabilities and organizes special events throughout the year to promote awareness and support for individuals and families served.
  • Documentary Film Production 1 activity
    • Produce educational and awareness materials highlighting personal stories
      Produces a video series showcasing personal narratives of individuals transitioning from institutional to community-based living, including those served by CP Rochester, to promote awareness and understanding of community integration.
  • Specialized Therapy for Children with Disabilities 1 activity
    • Provide clinical therapy services for pediatric and adult populations
      Delivers occupational, physical, speech and language, aquatic therapy, and psychological services to individuals of all ages, with reported service to over 120 individuals annually.
  • Regional Chapter Network Support 1 activity
    • Provide services across multiple Finger Lakes counties
      Delivers programs and services to over 3,000 children, adults, and families annually in Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, Wayne, and Yates Counties, through a network of affiliate organizations.
  • Nonprofit Organizational Mergers and Integrations 1 activity
    • Strengthen organizational capacity through affiliate unification
      Formed Ability Partners, Inc. as a parent corporation in 2015 to unite CP Rochester and Happiness House, and expanded in 2016 to include Rochester Rehabilitation Center, enhancing coordination and scalability of services.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$16.70M
Contributions & grants$3.20M19%
Program service revenue$13.31M80%
Investment income$50K0%
Other revenue$147K
expenses
Total expenses$15.05M
Program expenses90%
Admin / overhead10%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$12.27M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$13.87M
Cash$2.05M
Investments$2.27M
Liabilities$5.50M
Net assets$8.37M
Liquid reserves3.4 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +11.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 7
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
DARRELL WHITBECK CHIEF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 34 $247K
DIANE KOZAR CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER (PART YEAR) 38 $132K
JACQUELINE HAWKS-LYTTLE VP OF FOUNDATION AND DEVELOPMENT 38 $131K
DONNA POCCIA SENIOR VP OF OPERATIONS/CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER 38 $120K
CHERYL SCHAEFFER-COPPOLA VP OF FOUNDATION AND DEVELOPMENT (PART YEAR) 38 $119K
LYNNE COLACINO DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN'S/EDUCATION COORDINATOR 38 $118K
RENE SANDRONI CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 38 $117K
board members · 18
  • ANDREA BONAFIGLIA — DIRECTOR
  • ANN E KURZ — DIRECTOR
  • CHRISTOPHER A HARRIS — DIRECTOR
  • DAVID G CASE — DIRECTOR
  • EILEEN GAGE — ASSISTANT SECRETARY
  • ERIC FOULKE — DIRECTOR (PART YEAR)
  • JAMES H KING — TREASURER
  • JEFFREY BAKER — 1ST VICE CHAIR
  • JOYCE WEIR — CHAIR
  • KEVIN OVERTON — DIRECTOR
  • MARY HERLIHY GEARAN — DIRECTOR
  • MICHAEL COPPOLA — DIRECTOR
  • RACHEL W KIELON — DIRECTOR
  • ROBERT C MADDAMMA — DIRECTOR
  • ROBERT JOHNSON — DIRECTOR
  • ROY BEECHER — ASSISTANT TREASURER
  • SEAN OSSONT — SECRETARY
  • THOMAS WHITE — DIRECTOR
relationships · 22

Who they work with

  • Ability Partners Network — Member of the Ability Partners network of disability service organizations.
  • Ability Partners Foundation Funder — Provides financial support to Happiness House.
  • Ability Partners Foundation Partner — Foundation partner within the Ability Partners network supporting disability services.
  • Autism Services of the Finger Lakes Partner — Collaborates on autism support services for children from birth to five years of age.
  • CP Rochester Partner — Collaborates under the shared Ability Partners umbrella to deliver services.
  • CP Rochester Partner — Collaborates with OPWDD in supporting individuals transitioning from institutional to community-based living, with two individuals from CP Rochester featured in a video series.
  • CP Rochester Partner — Jointly expresses commitment to racial justice and inclusion alongside Happiness House
  • CP Rochester Partner — Jointly formed Ability Partners, Inc. as a shared parent corporation; operates as a separate affiliate while aligning business practices.
  • CP Rochester Partner — Partner agency within the Ability Partners network providing disability services.
  • Colleges and universities Partner — Coordinates clinical placements for students in therapy services and clinic programs.
  • E. John Gavras Center Partner — Entered into an executive staffing agreement with Ability Partners.
  • Golisano Autism Center Partner — Collaborates with the Golisano Autism Center in Monroe County for children's programs.
  • Golisano Foundation Partner — Partnered with Happiness House to complete a transitional home for young adults with disabilities and adults with traumatic brain injury in 2013.
  • Golisano Foundation Partner — Partnered with Happiness House to complete a transitional home in Canandaigua in 2013.
  • Happiness House Partner — Co-founded Ability Partners, Inc. with CP Rochester; operates as a separate affiliate while aligning business practices.
  • NYS Justice Center for the Protection of People With Special Needs Government — State entity with which Finger Lakes United Cerebral Palsy collaborates on reporting and managing incidents involving individuals with special needs.
  • OPWDD Government — Partner agency responsible for incident management regulations and oversight of services including HCBS Waiver Services, Day Services, Residential Programs, and Article 16 Clinics.
  • Rochester Rehabilitation Partner — Jointly expresses commitment to racial justice and inclusion alongside Happiness House
  • Rochester Rehabilitation Partner — Partner agency within the Ability Partners network providing rehabilitation services.
  • Rochester Rehabilitation Center Partner — Collaborates under the shared Ability Partners umbrella to deliver services.
  • Rochester Rehabilitation Center Partner — Joined Ability Partners, Inc. as a third affiliate in April 2016, expanding the network of services.
  • Tom Golisano Funder — Provided a $5M gift over five years to support programming and accessibility improvements across Ability Partners agencies.
strategies · 2

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Integrated Community-Based Services Model
    methodology: integrated_community_based_support
    By delivering personalized, coordinated services in natural environments—such as homes and communities—and integrating educational, clinical, and family support resources, the organization promotes lifelong inclusion and functional development because contextually embedded care improves accessibility, skill generalization, and community participation.
  • Person-Centered Independence Model
    methodology: person_centered_independence
    By promoting equal opportunity, independence, and realization of individual potential, the organization enhances quality of life and community integration for individuals with developmental disabilities because autonomy and dignity are foundational to effective service delivery.