Thank you for visiting the Mary Cariola Children's Center website.  We hope you find all of the information you need regarding employment, making a gift or our programs and services.  As with any website there are always some additional questions that come up for which the answer can not be found.  Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we receive.  If you still need additional information please use the link at the bottom of this page.  Thank you for visiting our site.

How is a child’s educational or residential experience funded?
There are no expenses incurred by families for attendance in our school program or residential placement.  The student’s home school district pays MCCC a tuition rate which is determined by the New York State Department of Education.  Students that live in one of our five residential group homes are funded by Medicaid. 

Is there a typical “day in the life” of a student that lives in one of the residences?
All residences provide 24-hour oversight and care for the children and young adults who live in one of five residential homes.  The residences provide home-like settings for these children whose families can no longer provide the level of care necessary for their health and safety.  The students attend school on a regular school schedule at Mary Cariola Children's Center, their home school district, a BOCES program or another appropriate school setting.

Why are children referred to Mary Cariola Children's Center for School placement or Preschool services?
MCCC does not have an open admission process which means that students attend our school program only when referred by a third party.  Infants and toddlers are referred to our program by the county, whose role it is to evaluate a student’s needs and select an appropriate program site.  From the age of 3 – 21 the student’s home school district is responsible for determining the educational placement for each child.  Generally, all students who are referred to MCCC have multiple disabilities along with complex educational and therapeutic requirements that can not be met by the home district.

What is the relationship between Mary Cariola Children's Center and the Al Sigl Center?
The Mary Cariola Children's Center has a strategic alliance with the Al Sigl Center and the seven other agencies that serve individuals with developmental disabilities.  Mary Cariola Children's Center is the only agency in this strategic alliance that serves children exclusively.  The Al Sigl Center provides MCCC and the other seven agencies with program space and business services.  While the Al Sigl Center does not provide direct programs to individuals with developmental disabilities, they have a long history of facility development, collaborative business services and capital fund raising.  Mary Cariola Children's Center is Al Sigl Center’s largest tenant.

Do children attend school year-round?
Yes, virtually all of our students attend school on a 12-month basis.

Who is Mary Cariola?

Who serves on the Board of Directors?