HCA Director Honored as Employee of the Year

Families using HCA's residential and community disability services in New York benefit from the leadership recognized by this award.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Special Needs

HCA Director Honored as Employee of the Year

Cheryl Gordon, Director of Residential Services and Community Opportunities at HCA, received HCA's employee of the year award at the Cerebral Palsy State Conference. HCA is a non-profit supporting individuals with disabilities across New York.

Why it matters

For families relying on HCA's residential services, integrated classrooms, employment support, and counseling, the recognition highlights the staff leadership behind those programs. The honor reflects the crisis-handling and problem-solving skills that keep individual supports running steadily for the people and families who depend on them.

Gordon was chosen by a panel of judges from nominees across 30 agencies nationwide. Her nomination cited her extensive experience at HCA and her establishment of the agency's first group home.

The players

HCA

A non-profit supporting individuals with disabilities across New York, offering residential services, integrated classrooms, employment support, and counseling.

Cheryl Gordon

Director of Residential Services and Community Opportunities at HCA, recognized as employee of the year for her crisis handling and leadership in residential services.

The details

Gordon was nominated by her coworkers, who pointed to her long tenure at HCA and her role in founding the agency's first group home. A panel of judges then reviewed the nominees from 30 agencies across the country and selected her. The judges recognized her crisis handling, complex problem-solving skills, and tireless work ethic. HCA staff attended the Cerebral Palsy State Conference to learn about emerging practices in the cerebral palsy field.

Article on Gordon's employee of the year award published November 4, 2026.
HCA staff attended the Cerebral Palsy State Conference, where the award was presented.

The Home Front

Recognition at the Cerebral Palsy State Conference places HCA's residential and community programs within New York's network of disability service providers. For families, stable staffing and experienced leadership in group homes are a key part of the support system in the home.

If a family member uses residential or community disability services, consider asking the provider about its staffing continuity and how it handles crisis response. Keep copies of service plans and contact information for the program's leadership on file.

The takeaway

Strong, experienced leadership is what keeps residential disability services steady for the families who depend on them. Ask your provider who leads its residential program and how they handle emergencies, and note those contacts in your family's care folder.