Assembly Resolution No. 314

BY: M. of A. Lupardo

COMMEMORATING the 50th Anniversary of the
Institute for Child Development

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those organizations of high purpose and worthy
accomplishment whose endeavors have faithfully served the welfare of the
youth of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Institute for Child Development;
and

WHEREAS, In October 1974, the Institute for Child Development (ICD)
was founded on the campus of Binghamton University and encompassed the
Children's Unit for Learning Disabilities and the Children's Unit for
Treatment and Evaluation, which was created in 1975, within the
Department of Psychology; and

WHEREAS, The mission of ICD is to improve the quality of life for
autistic and neurodivergent individuals, their families, and communities
through excellence in the provision of high-quality, person-centered,
evidence-based, and innovative practice, education, and research; and

WHEREAS, In 1977, due to the growing demand for services, the New
York State Legislature passed Bill 5911-A to grant special status to
Binghamton University to operate the Children's Unit for Treatment and
Evaluation as a school that was approved by the State Education
Department; and

WHEREAS, The Institute's service, training, and research components
expanded steadily for several years; fewer than a dozen local children
received services from the units, and funding was unstable, becoming a
crisis and threatening the cessation of the program; and

WHEREAS, However, this small group of families, whose children were
receiving services, successfully obtained the assistance of several New
York State local legislators to establish a unique dual status to allow
programmatic funding; with the continued strong support of families, the
University's administration, the region's school districts, and numerous
agencies and professionals, the programs have increased in size and
complexity over the years; and

WHEREAS, Demand for services continued, and in 2013, the
acceleration of existing and new programs at the Institute commenced;
daily, children and families have come to the Institute from a 100-mile
radius, and inquiries about admission to ICD's programs have come from
all areas of the United States and other countries; and

WHEREAS, Annually, ICD serves 300 families and sponsors significant
public education and support activities for families and professional
service providers in the region; workforce preparation activities
include undergraduate, graduate, post-doctoral, and interdisciplinary

programs of study; the Institute is nationally recognized as a model
program that develops and implements sophisticated and effective
services for which demand far exceeds capacity; and

WHEREAS, Some of the current programs of the Institute include the
Binghamton Regional Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders, the Child &
Adolescent Diagnostic & Consultation Clinic, the Partnering with
Autistic and Neuro-Divergent Adults (PANDA) Program, and the Advancing
Autism Research Through Collaboration, Education, and Support (AACES)
Group; and

WHEREAS, The success of the Institute for Child Development is in
direct correlation to the efforts of its members, whose involvement is,
and always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an
unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in
all endeavors; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals and organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are
brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by
all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Institute for Child Development
and to honor its members, past and present, who have labored so
conscientiously to secure and improve the quality of life for the youth
of the community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Institute for Child Development.