RFK CERC is staffed by highly trained and culturally competent specialists who provide comprehensive care through both interdisciplinary and specialized programs.These teams are comprised of members of several disciplines, including: Audiology, Genetic Counseling, Health Administration, Medicine/Pediatrics, Nursing, Nutrition, Occupational Therapy, Pediatric Dentistry, Physical Therapy, Psychology, Public Health, Social Work, Special Education, and Speech-Language Pathology.
Our eleven interdisciplinary teams are:
The Early Childhood Center evaluates, diagnoses, and provides comprehensive medical and developmental services for children from birth to age three who have or are suspected of having developmental disabilities and mental health issues. We are able to both provide interventions on-site and to help families gain access to services and entitlements in their home communities. All services are available in English and in Spanish.
Infant and Preschool Team provides evaluations, treatment, and advocacy for children through age 6 with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and related developmental disorders. We are also able to assess the family’s need for support and either offer therapeutic support at RFK CERC or refer them to the appropriate resource in the community.
School Age Adolescent Unit focuses on children ages 7 to 21 with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and/or learning disabilities and mental health issues, especially those who have experienced chronic school failure. Our services include individual and/or group psychotherapy, family counseling, and psychoeducational intervention.
Adult Team includes the Adult Literacy Program and Adult Self-Advocacy and Support groups. The Self-Advocacy group meets weekly to discuss issues and services related to the quality of life of adults with developmental disabilities living on their own in the Bronx.
Developmental Family Services Unit provides services for children with chronic medical issues, such as HIV infection, cancer, and lead poisoning.
Pediatric Rehabilitation Team focuses on individuals from birth to twenty-one years of age with cerebral palsy, spina bifida and other neuromuscular disorders. To enable clients to be more self-sufficient, we devise a comprehensive treatment plan, from therapies to the proper equipment, seating, transportation in and outside of the home.
Children’s Hearing Program offers a full range of diagnostic and treatment services to children with hearing impairment, deafness and other communication disorders. In addition to our comprehensive audiologic, otolaryngologic, pediatric neurodevelopmental, genetic, and ophthalmologic evaluations, we provide individual and group therapy sessions that offer auditory training that emphasizes speech and language development. We also aid in the selection, fitting, use, and management of personal hearing aids, assistive-listening devices, and cochlear implantation.
The Harold Diner Special Care Dentistry Center has provided comprehensive dental care to children and adults with developmental disabilities and accompanying chronic medical conditions since 1965. We offer a wide range of services from oral surgery to periodontics and are fully equipped to meet the needs of patients with disabilities. We also provide intravenous sedation for individuals for whom dental work presents difficulties. Every year, we serve more than 4,500 patient visits, including over 300 sedation visits. Additionally, the clinic houses a training program specializing in dentistry for persons with developmental disabilities.
RFK CERC Medical Home provides primary care/mental health services to children and adults with ASDs and developmental disabilities (DDs).
Medicaid Service Coordination (MSC) assists OPWDD-eligible individuals and their families through the design and implementation of an Individualized Services Plan.
Children’s Health Home Services helps families coordinate services, access resources in their communities, and know their rights. They work closely with families to schedule and keep appointments by understanding what factors may hinder them from receiving care. These services help to reduce emergency room visits and to inform families in need about community resources, including after-school programs and summer camps. Our goal is to expand the number of children served to 2,000 by the end of 2020.