History

Founded in 1951 as the Cerebral Palsy Council of the North Shore, Aspire Developmental Services, Inc. is a private, nonprofit healthcare and educational agency that provides programs for children with physical and developmental disabilities as well as their families. It has undergone three name changes and a significant shift in the scope of the services it provides in its almost 70 year history.

The agency was organized by parents and professionals interested in providing services for persons with cerebral palsy. They incorporated on Feb.16, 1951 as the Cerebral Palsy Council of the North Shore, Inc. The agency operated as United Cerebral Palsy Association of the North Shore, Inc. from May 1, 1952 to Dec. 4, 2001.

The name was changed on Dec. 21, 2001 to Cerebral Palsy Association of Eastern Massachusetts, Inc.

In 2015, the name was changed to Aspire Developmental Services, Inc

More change were on the way as the agency moved its Lynn headquarters from Johnson Street to the former O’Keefe School at 176 Franklin St.  as it seeks to increase its capacity to serve North Shore children with developmental needs and their families

Aspire, which also has a Salem location, provided services to 1,856 children in 10 communities in 2015 through Early Intervention, Early Support and its Aspire Early Education Center, which is open to typically developing children and those with mild developmental delays. Early Intervention referrals were up 28 percent from the previous year.

At Aspire Developmental Services we are driven by the value of equality. Our mission is the centerpiece of our work in the communities we are fortunate to serve. We believe our mission and work is more important than ever. Aspire remains committed to positively affecting the quality of life for people with developmental differences and their families. We believe in the power of inclusivity and its ability to positively impact the world. We remain committed to working with our families and staff to eliminate the systemic inequities that have been a barrier to their full and active participation in the communities we serve. We stand together, committed to supporting our children, families, staff and our communities in attaining equality.