Barber National Institute
Encyclopedia
The Barber National Institute (formerly the Barber Center) is a nonprofit, multi-faceted organization that provides services to more than 3,600 children, adults, and families who are faced with developmental disabilities, Autism
, learning delays, and mental health disorders. The institute’s central facility was founded in 1952 and is located in Erie, Pennsylvania
. The Barber National Institute now employs more than 2,100 staff members throughout the state
.
in Erie, Pennsylvania
, Dr. Barber, along with a small group of local teachers and parents, opened a one-classroom school
in the local YMCA
for children with developmental disabilities. As programs expanded, the City of Erie leased its former communicable disease hospital to the Barber Center in 1958. The first permanent location for the programs, the site has formed what has become the main campus in Erie. Construction began in 1968 for new Administrative offices, a medical suite, cafeteria
, and classrooms for middle and high school aged students. In 1969, a facility was opened in Corry, Pennsylvania
to provide services for individuals in southern Erie County. The Barber Center’s first group homes were opened in 1973, after the closing of an institution in Venango County, PA. A satellite center was also opened in Girard, PA to accommodate those living in the western portion of Erie County. The Barber Center expanded to other areas of the state by opening group homes and support services in Philadelphia in 1990 and a day support program and residential group homes in the Pittsburgh area in 1999.
. The seventh largest employer in Erie County, the Barber National Institute staffs approximately 2,100 employees. The Institute provides services in a variety of fields including Autism
, deaf and hearing impairment
, mental retardation
, Asperger Syndrome
, and other disabilities.
Autism
Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
, learning delays, and mental health disorders. The institute’s central facility was founded in 1952 and is located in Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie is a city located in northwestern Pennsylvania in the United States. Named for the lake and the Native American tribe that resided along its southern shore, Erie is the state's fourth-largest city , with a population of 102,000...
. The Barber National Institute now employs more than 2,100 staff members throughout the state
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
.
History
The Barber National Institute was founded in 1952 by the late Dr. Gertrude A. Barber. An educator and administrator in the Erie City School DistrictErie City School District
The Erie School District is the school district that serves metropolitan Erie, Pennsylvania in the United States. It is a member of the Northwest Tri-County IU 5....
in Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie is a city located in northwestern Pennsylvania in the United States. Named for the lake and the Native American tribe that resided along its southern shore, Erie is the state's fourth-largest city , with a population of 102,000...
, Dr. Barber, along with a small group of local teachers and parents, opened a one-classroom school
School
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
in the local YMCA
YMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
for children with developmental disabilities. As programs expanded, the City of Erie leased its former communicable disease hospital to the Barber Center in 1958. The first permanent location for the programs, the site has formed what has become the main campus in Erie. Construction began in 1968 for new Administrative offices, a medical suite, cafeteria
Cafeteria
A cafeteria is a type of food service location in which there is little or no waiting staff table service, whether a restaurant or within an institution such as a large office building or school; a school dining location is also referred to as a dining hall or canteen...
, and classrooms for middle and high school aged students. In 1969, a facility was opened in Corry, Pennsylvania
Corry, Pennsylvania
Corry is a city located in northwestern Pennsylvania in the United States. With a population of 6,834 at the 2000 United States Census, it is the second largest city in Erie County. Corry is a part of the Erie Metropolitan Statistical Area...
to provide services for individuals in southern Erie County. The Barber Center’s first group homes were opened in 1973, after the closing of an institution in Venango County, PA. A satellite center was also opened in Girard, PA to accommodate those living in the western portion of Erie County. The Barber Center expanded to other areas of the state by opening group homes and support services in Philadelphia in 1990 and a day support program and residential group homes in the Pittsburgh area in 1999.
Current
In 2003, the Barber Center name was changed to what is now the Barber National Institute. It currently serves 3,600 children and adults annually in locations across PennsylvaniaPennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. The seventh largest employer in Erie County, the Barber National Institute staffs approximately 2,100 employees. The Institute provides services in a variety of fields including Autism
Autism
Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
, deaf and hearing impairment
Hearing impairment
-Definition:Deafness is the inability for the ear to interpret certain or all frequencies of sound.-Environmental Situations:Deafness can be caused by environmental situations such as noise, trauma, or other ear defections...
, mental retardation
Mental retardation
Mental retardation is a generalized disorder appearing before adulthood, characterized by significantly impaired cognitive functioning and deficits in two or more adaptive behaviors...
, Asperger Syndrome
Asperger syndrome
Asperger's syndrome that is characterized by significant difficulties in social interaction, alongside restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. It differs from other autism spectrum disorders by its relative preservation of linguistic and cognitive development...
, and other disabilities.
Accreditations/Memberships
- In 2008, was named as a Pennsylvania “School of Excellence” by the National Association of Special Education Teachers
- Accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and SchoolsMiddle States Association of Colleges and SchoolsThe Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools is a voluntary, peer-based, non-profit association dedicated to educational excellence and improvement through peer evaluation and accreditation...
- Approved Private School, Pennsylvania Department of EducationPennsylvania Department of EducationThe Pennsylvania Department of Education is the executive department of the state charged with K-12 and adult educational budgeting, management and guidelines. As the state education agency, its activities are directed by Pennsylvania's Secretary of Education, Gerald L. Zahorchak...
- Member of the Pennsylvania Early Learning Keys To Quality (Keystone Stars Program)
Infants and Children
- An AutismAutismAutism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
Center for the diagnosis and treatment of AutismAutismAutism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their... - An approved private school, which includes the eleven modern classrooms housed in their Elizabeth Lee Black School
- Bright Beginning, offering early intervention for infants and toddlers in their homes or child care centers that include physical, occupational, speech, and behavioral therapies
- Happy Hearts Child Care and Preschool, featuring “inclusive” classrooms for typically developing children and students with disabilities
- A preschool program for children who are deaf or hard of hearing
- A Mental Health Partial Hospitalization Program, which integrates mental healthMental healthMental health describes either a level of cognitive or emotional well-being or an absence of a mental disorder. From perspectives of the discipline of positive psychology or holism mental health may include an individual's ability to enjoy life and procure a balance between life activities and...
services into a child’s educational program - A summer camp for children and teens with Asperger’s Syndrome and high functioning AutismAutismAutism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
Adults
- Employment services including an Employment Opportunities Center, which trains and places adults with disabilities in jobs in the community
- Adult Day Services – Assists in vocational, recreational and social skills
- Production Services – Employs adults with disabilities in packaging, assembly, light manufacturing, and mailing services to businesses throughout the region
- RetirementRetirementRetirement is the point where a person stops employment completely. A person may also semi-retire by reducing work hours.Many people choose to retire when they are eligible for private or public pension benefits, although some are forced to retire when physical conditions don't allow the person to...
Center - ESO (Expanding Social Opportunities) – Recreational program in conjunction with typical peers at area colleges
- Adult autism service that provides diagnosis, treatment and medicationMedicationA pharmaceutical drug, also referred to as medicine, medication or medicament, can be loosely defined as any chemical substance intended for use in the medical diagnosis, cure, treatment, or prevention of disease.- Classification :...
management
Residential Services
- Forty-six group homes throughout Erie County, PennsylvaniaErie County, PennsylvaniaErie County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 280,566. Its county seat is the City of Erie.- Geography :...
, as well as 25 homes in the Philadelphia area and six homes in suburban Pittsburgh - Supported Living, where individuals reside in their own apartments or homes with staff support
- Life Sharing through Family Living, a program administered through the PA Department of Public Welfare which enables an adult with a disability to reside with a family provider.
Community Services
- Several types of therapies, psychological and behavioral services, for example, its Behavioral Health Rehabilitation Program, family-based mental health services and targeted case management for children with autism and their families.
Location and Facilities
Facilities are located in Erie, Corry, Girard, and Warren, PA; Residential group homes and adult day services are located in the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh regions.Locations
| Erie, NW PA, Main Campus Barber National Institute 100 Barber Place/136 East Ave Erie, PA 16507 |
Philadelphia, SE PA Barber National Institute Two Falls Center Suite 900 3300 Henry Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19129 |
Pittsburgh, SW PA Barber National Institute 100 Villani Road Bridgeville, PA 15017 |
Pittsburgh, SW PA Barber National Institute 35 Wilson Street, Suite 103 Pittsburgh, PA 15223 |
| Corry, NW PA Barber National Institute 670 Sciota Road Corry, PA 16407 |
Girard, NW PA Barber National Institute 1126 Lake Street Girard, PA 16417 |
Warren, NW PA Barber National Institute Rural Autism Program 27 Hospital Drive North Warren, PA 16365 |
External links
- http://www.barberinstitute.org www.barberinstitute.org (Northwest PA)
- http://www.barberinstitute.org/SE-PA www.barberinstitute.org/SE-PA (Southeast PA)
- http://www.barberinstitute.org/SW-PA www.barberinstitute.org/SW-PA (Southwest PA)
- http://www.aspergersyndrome.org
- http://www.autism-society.org
- http://www.autismspeaks.org
- http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/
- http://www.aamr.org/
- http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dd/ddmr.htm
- http://eriecommunityfoundation.org/donate-today/?organization_id=6