Transfer from The ARC Greater Hudson Valley Avoids
Closure of Crucial Services Amid Substantial Demand
MIDDLETOWN, N.Y., Oct. 9, 2024 – Abilities First has acquired and now operates educational programs in Middletown, N.Y. and New Windsor, N.Y., serving approximately 200 preschool and school-age students who have developmental delays or disabilities. The programs previously were administered by The ARC Greater Hudson Valley (ARCGHV). Their acquisition ensures these vital services will continue instead of closing – and both will remain in their existing facilities.
Abilities First, a nonprofit organization, provides people who face developmental challenges and their families support to attain independence, self-determination, integration and acceptance by others through education, exploration and experience. Abilities First is supported by the Foundation for Abilities First NY.
“Given the already critical shortage of opportunities for students with special needs in the region, losing these ARCGHV programs would have been devastating to the community. We are thrilled that Abilities First could step in – and do so without students missing a day of education,” said CEO Jeffery Fox. “We thank our dedicated colleagues at ARCGHV for their professionalism and collaboration throughout this process, and we thank the New York State Education Department (NYSED) for its multi-step guidance to approval.”
The acquisition will be celebrated with a ribbon-cutting featuring guest speakers and dignitaries on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. Both the Middletown and New Windsor locations now have new signage and interior paint themes to match Abilities First’s blue-and-green branding.
The transferred programs include the Middletown Education Center, serving ages 3-8 at 357 Mount Hope Road, and the Educational Learning Experience serving ages 3-21 at 930 Raz Ave. in New Windsor. Each location employs about 50, all of whom were given offers to retain their positions. Each location serves approximately 90 students. The Middletown location has nine preschool classrooms and one school-age classroom; the New Windsor location has five preschool classrooms and five school-age classrooms.
“We are extremely thankful for Abilities First’s collaboration as well as its devotion to the young, vibrant lives these two programs serve,” said Regina McKenney-Snead, Executive Director, ARCGHV. “Abilities First’s investment during this transformation is really in peoples’ lives. This acquisition will empower change and independence, both of which will advance quality of life and provide crucial support for families.”
Beth Laub, formerly ARCGHV’s Assistant Executive Director of Education, now serves as Abilities First’s Director of Education. She has more than 25 years of special-education experience, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Special Education from Fordham University, a master’s degree in Special Education and a School Building Leadership Certificate from the College of St. Rose.
In 2023, Abilities First served 359 students from 29 Hudson Valley school districts. There were 142 graduates of its preschool program and five graduates from its high school. In 2024, not including the acquired programs, Abilities First served 368 students, had 82 preschool graduates and four high school graduates. Overall, it served 29 school districts. In the 2023-2024 school year, the former ARCGHV programs served 184 students and graduated 48 preschool students.
About Abilities First and the Foundation for Abilities First N.Y.
Founded in 1962, Abilities First is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization serving the needs of over 1,100 children and adults with developmental disabilities from birth through adulthood throughout the Hudson Valley. More than 600 dedicated employees are committed to providing a culture of compassion, empowerment and respect through educational, vocational, residential, habilitation and family support programs and services. Founded in 2018, the Foundation for Abilities First NY is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Its mission is to garner the financial resources necessary to meet the programmatic interests and to assure the sustainability of the mission of Abilities First, Inc. Learn more at AbilitiesFirstNY.org.
