About the Mattingly Center, Inc.

Our history

The Cerebral Palsy School of Louisville, Inc. was established in 1950 to educate children, who because of developmental disabilities, could not attend regular school. It began as a small, one-room school serving 13 children and grew into a facility that provided education and therapy to over 1,500 children.

For the first 17 years of its existence the Cerebral Palsy School was under the auspices of the Catholic School Board, which determined in 1967 that it could no longer subsidize it. Then parents and interested community leaders formed a Board of Directors to be responsible for this non-profit, non-denominational agency and to file it Articles of Incorporation. From 1967 to 1993 the CP School operated through a cooperative agreement with the Jefferson County Public Schools. Due to federal and state laws mandating the mainstreaming of disabled children into public schools the last children graduated from the CP School in 1993. The Sisters of Mercy adminstered and taught in the program from 1950 through 1996

When many of the former CP School students completed their education and were unable to find employment the Board of Directors began to address this issue. On Sept. 1, 1971 they opened the Cerebral Palsy School Workshop with 33 young adults receiving evaluation and training. The Workshop, which did contract work for 30 local industries, later expanded into a seperate organization known now as Independent Industries, Inc.

Continuing to focus on the unmet needs of disabled adults the Board of Directors in 1988 established a day program. Its mission was, and is, "to provide the highest quality of structured day services for adults with severe developmental disabilities." Operating as the Mattingly Center for Continuing Education, the Adult Day Habilitation program serves the individual needs of its participants and encourages their acquisition of appropriate educational, daily living, communication, social and work-related skills. Through the use of computerized communication devices some participants now are able, independently, to express their feelings and participate in meaningful conversation. Many of the program activities take place within the community, where the participants use their new skills in real-life situations.

In keeping with the early missions of the Cerebral Palsy School of Louisville, Inc. the Mattingly Center is especially concerned with demonstrating long-term commitment toward those developmentally disabled persons for whom there are no other day services. Through its highly accredited Adult Day Habilitation program it truly facilitates each participant's continued education, personal development and inclusion in, and access to, the community.

Our mission

To provide the highest quality of structured day services for adults with severe developmental disabilities.

Our commitment

What truly makes the Mattingly Center unique is that we provide services to individuals with severe developmental disabilities who might otherwise not fit into programs offered by more traditional day services. We provide the services needed for persons with multiple medical needs so they can accomplish a meaningful day. Just as we pride ourselves on our close relationships with our participants we also develop relationships with others who impact their lives, from the participants' home and families to their friends at the Mattingly Center.

Our services

The services we provide include - adult day, support coordination, community living supports, respite, behavior supports and therapy.

Our core competencies

The Mattingly Center, Inc. strives to provide services which:

  • Meet the unique needs and abilities of each individual;
  • Affirm the gifts of each individual and assist them in making meaningful contributions to the community;
  • Encourage each individual's growth toward autonomy, personal responsibility and fulfillment;
  • Support each individual's place within his/her family;
  • Enhance the public image of people with developmental disabilities;
  • Empower each individual to make informed decisions to the best of his/her ability.

Our vision

At the Mattingly Center we believe that all persons are capable of lifelong learning and growth. Furthermore, we acknowledge the significance of family and friends in the life of every individual and the capacity of all persons to enter into meaningful relationships. To this end the Mattingly Center facilitates each participant's continued education, personal development and inclusion in and access to the community.

The Mattingly Center for Continuing Education is a 501 (c) 3 agency. Our funding depends upon charitable contributions, fundraising events, grants, our Annual Fund Drive and endowments. For more information on how you can get involved contact Director of Development Sonia Johnson at sjohnson@mattinglycenter.org or call (502) 451-6200 ext. 205.