Easterseals Central Illinois is a nonprofit organization affiliated with the national Easterseals network, dedicated to providing specialized services for children and individuals with disabilities, developmental delays, and autism across Central Illinois. Originating in 1919 as a weekly clinic for children with disabilities in Peoria founded by Drs. Hugh Cooper and S.H. Easton, it formally affiliated with the National Society of Crippled Children and Adults (later Easterseals) in 1936 with the first Easter Seals sold to Peoria to fundraise—a practice that later spread nationwide.
The organization delivers a broad array of programs designed to support early development, skill-building and inclusion, including pediatric therapy, early intervention for young children, applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy for autism, educational services, through the Easterseals Learning Academy, family support resources, and accessible recreation. A key component is the Timber Pointe Outdoor Center, a fully accessible camp facility acquired and rebranded in the 1980s, offering inclusive overnight, day and weekend camp experiences for children and families.
Easterseals Central Illinois operates six service locations throughout the region and touches thousands of lives each year. In 2024, it served 1,019 pediatric therapy clients, 2,506 early intervention clients, and 1,125 participants in its Timber Pointe camp programs.
Over its more than 100-year history, the organization has expanded from a local clinic to a comprehensive provider, establishing milestones such as the Crippled Children's Center in 1954, the Allied Agencies Center in 1969, The Autism Spectrum Disorder Early Diagnostic Clinic in 2003, and ongoing advocacy for inclusion through initiatives like puppet-based disability awareness programs and legislative efforts. It continues to emphasize early intervention, collaboration, and empowerment to help people reach their full potential.
History Founding and early years Easterseals Central Illinois traces its origins to 1919, when Drs. Hugh Cooper and S.H. Easton initiated a weekly clinic in Peoria, Illinois, to provide care for children with disabilities. This grassroots effort addressed the limited services available at the time and laid the foundation for organized support in the region.
The clinic's activities prompted the formation of the Crippled Children's Coordinating Committee in 1919, which coordinated recourses and advocacy for children with disabilities. Through the committee's work, early initiatives expanded to include educational opportunities, resulting in the establishment of the first preschool for children with disabilities—an innovative step toward inclusive early education in the area.
These local efforts continued to grow, culminating in 1954 with the opening of the Crippled Children's Center, a dedicated facility that offered therapy services and parent training programs to support families. This center represented a key advancement in providing structured, multidisciplinary care during the organization's formative decades.
National affiliation and expansion In 1936, the local government aligned with the National Society for Crippled Children and adults (later renamed Easterseals), marking its formal affiliation with the national network. This partnership introduced the Easter Seals fundraising campaign in Peoria, a tradition that spread nationwide and became a key funding mechanism.
Subsequent decades brought expansions through collaborations and new programs. in 1969, Easterseals Central Illinois helped launch the Allied Agencies Center, a model for collaborations among disability organizations.
In the 1970s, the organization led efforts to expand recreational access, founding the Heart of Illinois Special Recreation Association to provide inclusive opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
The 1980s saw the introduction of innovative programs, including Lekotek, which provided adapted toys and play experiences for children with disabilities. During this decade, Easterseals acquired Camp Heffernan and rebranded it as Timber Pointe Outdoor Center, establishing a dedicated site for inclusive outdoor recreation and experiential programs.
In 1993, Easterseals Central Illinois began construction on a new facility to increase capacity for clinical, diagnostic, and family support services. The building opened in 1996, incorporating specialized spaces such as areas for the University of Illinois College of Medicine's Child Development section and the Central Illinois Orofacial Anomalies Team.
Modern developments and autism focus In the early 2000s, Easterseals Central Illinois intensified its focus on autism spectrum disorders in response to rising prevalence. In 2003, the organization opened the Autism Spectrum Disorder Early Diagnostic Clinic in collaboration with the University of Illinois College of Medicine — Peoria, providing comprehensive evaluations for young children to enable early intervention and family support. This clinic has since served thousands of children, facilitating subsequent development of specialized therapies, counseling and family-centered resources tailored to autism.
Building on this foundation, Easterseals Central Illinois established the Easterseals Learning Academy in Germantown Hills as a specialized private school for children with autism and other disabilities who require tailored educational environments beyond their home districts. The academy emphasizes personalized instruction to foster skill development and aims to support students' eventual reintegration into public schools. By 2019, it had completed its second full academic year, exemplifying the organization's evolving model for autism-specific education.
The organization has sustained legislative advocacy to advance inclusion and accessibility, while delivering disability awareness programs such as Kids on the Block, which uses puppets to educate children about disabilities, diversity, and inclusion, and Ability Awareness Initiatives to promote understanding in schools and communities. A prominent illustration of Easterseal Central Illinois's long-term impact is the story of Abbey Curran, who received childhood services from the organization. Curran, who has cerebral palsy, became Miss Iowa 2008 and the first contestant with a disability in the Miss USA pageant. She founded the Miss You Can do It Pageant, a national event celebrating girls and women with special needs, which was in an HBO documentary in 2013. These efforts reflect the organization's ongoing commitment to autism-specific services, education, and empowerment in Central Illinois.
Mission and organization Mission and vision Easterseals Central Illinois is dedicated to supporting children with developmental delays, disabilities, and special needs through a clearly defined mission and vision. The organization's mission is to provide exceptional services to ensure that children with developmental delays, disabilities, and other special needs can reach their full potential.
The vision statement emphasizes full inclusion and empowerment, declaring: We envision our community, enriched by the diverse contributions of children who, from their very entrance into this world, are 100% included and 100% empowered. To achieve that vision, we must rise to meet the complex and evolving needs of our community. This forward-looking goal focuses on building a society where children contribute meaningfully from birth through sustained inclusion and empowerment.
Easterseals Central Illinois centers its efforts on principles of inclusion, empowerment, independence, and family-centered support. The organization pursues these aims by offering innovative therapies, inclusive programs, and unwavering assistance to families as they navigate challenges and celebrate milestones.
Governace and leadership Easterseals Central Illinois as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors responsible for providing strategic oversight, ensuring fiduciary accountability, and guiding the organization's mission-focused activities.
The Board includes a leadership team of officers who direct its activities. Current officers are Chair Tim Erickson, Vice-chair Jamie Engstrom, Treasurer Todd Bryant, Secretary Amy Braet, Immediate Past Chair Meenakshy Aiyer, M.D., and assistant Secretary Brittany Personett.
The full Board comprises community leaders, professionals, and stakeholders who support the organization's work in Central Illinois. Examples of directors include Geneva Abele, Bret Cassidy, Andy Cave, Jessica Hanks, M.D., and Mark Schwamberger, among others with backgrounds in business, healthcare, law, and community service.
Day-to-day leadership is provided by the senior executive team. Melissa Riddle serves as president & CEO, with oversight of overall operations and strategic direction. Supporting executives include Eric Glow as Vice President of Clinical Services and Brice Watson as Vice President of Operations. Additional key roles are held by Allison Gottwald, Director of Human Resources, and Brittany Personett, Executive Assistant.
Affiliation with national Easterseals Easterseals Central Illinois is an affiliate of the national Easterseals organization, a relationship that dates to 1936. In that year, the Crippled Children's Coordinating Committee, the local predecessor organization, aligned with the National Society for Crippled Children and Adults, the predecessor to the national Easterseals entity. This alignment mark the start of the formal affiliation, enabling the local government to participate in shared national initiatives, including the Easter Seals fundraising campaign.
The affiliation incorporated the local government into the national Easter seals fundraising model. That same year, Easter seals—specially designed stamps sold to raise funds—were first sold in Peoria as part of the national campaign, which had been launched in 1934 and later became a signature fundraising effort for the Easterseals network.
As part of the national Easterseals network, Easterseals Central Illinois operates under the shared Easterseals name and benefits from national branding, fundraising strategies, and organizational support to advance its mission of serving individuals with disabilities.
Programs and services Pediatric therapy and rehabilitation Easterseals Central Illinois offers comprehensive pediatric therapy and rehabilitation services to help children with disabilities and other developmental delays build essential skills, achieve independence, and reach developmental milestones. These services include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and feeding therapy delivered by experienced multidisciplinary teams using individualized treatment plans tailored to each child's unique needs.
Pediatric physical therapy focuses on improving strength, coordination, mobility, and confidence, addressing challenges such as delays in walking, crawling, or sitting, cerebral palsy, toe walking, chronic pain, and post-surgical rehabilitation. Therapists create customized programs to support gross motor development in state-of-the-art facilities, including therapeutic pools, and advanced equipment.
Pediatric occupational therapy targets fine motor skills, sensory regulation, executive functional, handwriting, self-care abilities to promote independence in daily activities and school readiness. Treatment integrates engaging activities and home-based strategies to support functional growth and participation in everyday life.
Pediatric speech therapy helps children develop communication skills through targeted support for articulation, receptive and expressive language, social language, and conditions of apraxia of speech. Personalized plans aim to build confidence and enhance overall communication potential.