Barber National Institute

The Barber National Institute (formerly the Barber Center) is a nonprofit, multi-faceted organization that provides services to more than 6,300 children, adults, and families who are faced with autism, intellectual disabilities, and behavioral health challenges. The institute’s central facility was founded in 1952 and is located in Erie, Pennsylvania. The Barber National Institute now employs more than 3,000 staff members throughout the state.

Barber National Institute
Founded1952
FounderDr. Gertrude A. Barber
Type501(c)(3) charitable organization
Location
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
John Barber (President and CEO)
Employees
Over 3000
Websitebarberinstitute.org


History
Dr. Gertrude A. Barber, Founder of the Barber National Institute

The Barber National Institute was founded in 1952 by the late Dr. Gertrude A. Barber.[1] An educator and administrator in the Erie City School District 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.[2]

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, this site formed what has become the main campus in Erie.[3]

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 downsizing 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.[4]

Current

In 2003, the Barber Center name was changed to what is now the Barber National Institute. It currently serves more than 6,300 children and adults annually in locations across Pennsylvania.[5] The 11th largest employer in Erie County,[6] the Barber National Institute has approximately 3,000 employees. The Institute provides services in a variety of fields including Autism, deaf and hearing impairment, behavioral health diagnosis, and intellectual disabilities.

Accreditations and memberships
  • In 2008, was named as a Pennsylvania “School of Excellence” by the National Association of Special Education Teachers[7]
  • Nationally certified Trauma-Informed Care Community[8]
  • Approved Private School, Pennsylvania Department of Education[9][10][11]
  • Member of the Pennsylvania Early Learning Keys To Quality (Keystone Stars Program)[12]

Services and programs

Infants and children

Adults

Residential services

Community services

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, PA, Main Campus

Barber National Institute

Main Campus
100 Barber Place
Erie, PA 16507

 Philadelphia, PA

Barber National Institute
Two Falls Center Suite 900
3300 Henry Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19129

 Pittsburgh, PA

Barber National Institute
20 Emerson Lane

Suite 905
Bridgeville, PA 15017

 Warren, PA

Barber National Institute

Bollinger Campus
44 N State St.
North Warren, PA 16365

Corry, PA

Barber National Institute

Adult Day Services
670 Sciota Road
Corry, PA 16407

 Girard, PA

Barber National Institute

Adult Day Services
1126 Lake Street
Girard, PA 16417

 Bedford, PA

Barber National Institute

Adult Day Services
181 Friendship Village Road

Bedford, PA 15522


 Somerset, PA

Barber National Institute

Adult Day Services
1219 Red Brant Road

Somerset, PA 15501

References
  1. "Dr. Gertrude A. Barber | A Legacy of Service". www.drbarber.org.
  2. "Dr. Gertrude A. Barber | Building a Foundation". DrBarber.org.
  3. "History of the Barber National Institute". barberinstitute.org.
  4. "Chronology | Milestones in the History of the Barber National Institute" (PDF). BarberInstitute.org.
  5. "Cause opened for Catholic educator dedicated to those with disabilities". National Catholic Reporter. 2019-12-19. Retrieved 2020-08-14.
  6. Partnership, Erie Regional Chamber and Growth. "Page Not Found - Erie Regional Chamber & Growth Partnership". www.eriepa.com. Retrieved Jun 17, 2020. Cite uses generic title (help)
  7. "National Association of Special Education Teachers: SCHOOLS of EXCELLENCE". www.naset.org. Retrieved Jun 17, 2020.
  8. "National Council of Behavioral Health".
  9. "PA Dept. of Education". Archived from the original on 2012-03-03. Retrieved 2010-02-10.
  10. "Pennsylvania Department of Education". Pennsylvania Department of Education. Retrieved Jun 17, 2020.
  11. PA Dept. of Education
  12. "Pennsylvania Early Learning Keys To Quality". Archived from the original on 2011-07-18. Retrieved 2010-02-10.
  13. "PA Department of Public Welfare" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2010-02-10.
  14. "PA Dept. of Public Welfare". Archived from the original on 2010-03-11. Retrieved 2010-02-10.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.