York County Adult Day Care began in 1982 as a dream during a church congregational planning retreat by Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church of Rock Hill. Ideas from the congregation were gathered into a report which was to be used as a planning reference. The development of a day care center for children and also a day care center for frail adults were recommended as two of the goals of the church. The Church Session formed a new Service Committee with David Cowan as Chairman to pursue these goals.
The Ann Barron Child Development Center soon opened, and was immediately successful, especially since there was a shortage of child care in the city at the time. Ann (Mrs. William) Barron and Nancy (Mrs. Goodwin) Thomas greatly facilitated the organization of the child care center.
The Service Committee began investigating the possibility of developing a day care center for frail adults. There seemed to be a need for adult day care in the area, but the concept of adult day care centers was relatively unknown. Several centers were studied in North and South Carolina in order to understand the problems and opportunities associated with the concept. Apparently, sustained financial support was needed for a considerable length of time to develop referrals for the use of the center. Many adult day care centers had been opened, but were not financially viable, and soon closed, primarily because of public unawareness with the concept. Because of the potential financial commitment, an adult day care center was not immediately opened, but the concept continued to be studied for the next three years.
In 1985, Mrs. Alton G. Brown, who was associated with several state and local service agencies, was made aware of the possibility of obtaining a grant through Carolina Community Actions to start a day care center for the elderly. In order to apply for state funding it was necessary to form an ecumenical board for the center, as a state grant could not be given to a single church. On June 27, 1985 the first organizational meeting for an adult day care center was held. Those attending included Mrs. Alton G. Brown, Dorothy Alansky, Nancy Jean Smith, Harold “Bo” Coleman, Martin Hope, and David Cowan.
A state charter was obtained with the help of Sen. John Hayes, and bylaws of a new day care organization were written by Clarkson McDow, a local attorney. Park Avenue Adult Day Care Center was incorporated on October 28, 1985, and immediately plans were made to request state funding. Initial board members included David E. Cowan, M. D., Chairman from Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church, Nancy Jean Smith, Secretary-Treasurer, from Grace Lutheran Church, Martin Hope from Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church, Mrs. Alton G. (Nellie Claire) Brown from Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church, Grafton Cockrell from the Episcopal Church of Our Saviour, Rev. Harold “Bo” Coleman from Oakland Baptist Church, Fran Verdery from First Presbyterian Church, Jay Rampey from the York County Baptist Mission office, Rev. Robert Toatley from Hermon Presbyterian Church, Elizabeth Stowe from First Baptist Church, and Father William Pentis from Saint Anne’s Catholic Parish.
Grant applications were written by Martin Hope and David Cowan to the Catawba Regional Planning Council and the S. C. Commission for the Aging, and they approved a grant to the new center for $13,147. A grant from Carolina Community Actions, Inc. was applied for and received in the amount of $23,403. A grant from the Springs Foundation from $2,500 also was applied for and was received. Additional gifts in small amounts were obtained from churches that were associated with the initial board members. Thus, the Park Avenue Adult Day Care Center was opened with cash reserves of approximately $40,000.
Having received confirmation of the grant awards in March of 1986, the board was then able, on April 24, 1986, to hire Ann Barton, RN, as the Director of the proposed center. Mrs. Barton had considerable administrative experience with several health care agencies, including the York County Council on Drug Abuse and the Children’s Attention Home. On March 31, 1986, Park Avenue Adult Day Center signed a lease for the use of a house owned by Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church and located at 412 Park Avenue, behind the church. Repairs were begun immediately, and there were donations of furnishings as well as labor, making it possible to begin operation of the center on May 5, 1986. By May 22, the center was licensed and began serving five full-time clients. Children from Ann Barron Child Development Center frequently visited the center, and were warmly welcomed.
The center operated with a negative cash flow for approximately two years, but was able to continue with the help of the original $40,000 in grants and also because of the diligence of the director, Ann Barton, and Business Manager, Dick Barton, Ann’s husband, as well as their children. Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church helped by suspending rent requirements.
From its inception, the emphasis of the agency has been to provide a full range of services so that family members can rest assured that their loved ones are receiving exceptional care during the day, allowing them to continue employment, go about their daily activities, or simply receive respite from the pressures of caring for a frail loved one. Services are provided to adults over 18 who have some degree of physical or mental incapacity which prevents them from caring fully for themselves. Services provided include transportation to and from the center, individualized medical care, meals and snacks, socialization activities, physical therapy, personal grooming and care, and outings. A service plan is developed for each client, and the families are kept informed of any changes in medical or mental conditions. As the centers have grown and developed, units have been created to provide special care for those who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and for young adults with developmental disabilities.
As the number of clients grew, the initial center at 412 Park Avenue was expanded and operations were relocated later to a renovated building just a block away at 359 Park Avenue. This center, after several improvement projects, now has the capacity to serve 70 clients per day. Expansions were made possible by work groups from Duke Energy, Abitibi-Bowater, the Junior Welfare League, and by a Community Development Block Grant through the City of Rock Hill. One of the most important projects was the creation of a dedicated Alzheimer’s Specialty Care Unit, made possible by a generous grant from the York County Good Folks organization.
By 1991, clients were being transported to Rock Hill from all parts of York County, and the decision was made to open a second site in York, the county seat. This center was housed in a former school building made available by the York School District and the first site director was Gara Fenton Brown. Renovations to the school building were necessary to meet requirements for the program. The site was known as Jefferson Street Adult Day Care. The York School District provided the building at no cost. The program grew and accepted clients from all over western York County.
As the number of clients grew, plans were made for a new building. Construction of the new facility on South Pacific Avenue was made possible by a community capital campaign and a Community Development Block Grant secured by the City of York. When the center moved to its new location in 2006, the name was changed to York Adult Day Center.
A growing number of clients in Fort Mill Township led the board to make the decision to open a third site in this area in 2001. This center, located in the Avery Lake development, serves clients in Fort Mill, Tega Cay, and the Indian Land area of Lancaster County. Financial support for the Fort Mill-Tega Cay Adult Day Care Center was received from the Springs Close Foundation. Vicki Dodge was the initial center director. Recently, through the initiative of a parents group, a new program has been initiated at the Fort Mill-Tega Cay center called the “High Five Club.” This program provides a specialized program for young adults with mental or physical limitations.
Today, attendance has grown to over 100 clients per day in three modern, well-equipped centers. During the typical week, 210 clients use our services. The centers are fully licensed by a number of state agencies, which undertake regular inspections.
YCADC is a United Way agency and also receives support from York County Council, numerous churches, clubs, and local businesses, and a group of loyal individual donors. The agency’s operating funds are also derived from client fees and various federal and state programs supporting the client services.
York County Adult Day Care Services has grown to be one of the premiere agencies of its kind in the Southeast. The agency has received numerous awards for its excellence of service, including recognition by SC DOT as the best public service agency transportation program and by the York County United Way as the Agency of the Year for the county in 2007.
In 2009, Ann Barton announced her retirement after serving for 23 years as the Administrative Director of York County Adult Day Care Services.
David E. Cowan, MD Paul Gettys October 1, 2009