The Jackson Center for Conductive Education opened in July 2005. It is the only Conductive Education program in Indiana. It was founded by the family of Jackson DePoy who has cerebral palsy.

“We believe in the innate sense of a child to want to
be a child.”

Until age three, Jackson had approximately 8 hours of therapy per week through the Indiana Early Intervention program. At age three, he was enrolled in developmental preschool through the local school system. Although he made progress through these programs, he was not self-sufficient.

Jackson’s family learned of Conductive Education in the spring of 2004 from a program aired by CBS on 60 Minutes. After watching this program and researching Conductive Education, Jackson’s parents knew that it was something that they had to try for Jackson. Because the number of Conductive Education centers in the U.S. is limited and there were none in Indiana, the family found a program in Chicago, IL, called The Center for Independence through Conductive Education.

In order to “test” Jackson’s ability to succeed in the program, The Center for Independence agreed to accept Jackson for an intensive four-week program. The program also taught Jackson’s mother, Lara, an occupational therapist, the basics of the program.

Recognizing that Jackson greatly benefited from Conductive Education, and that other Hoosier families could benefit as well, Jackson’s family and friends began fundraising and were successful in opening The Jackson Center less than one year after Jackson’s trip to Chicago.

The Jackson Center is a 501(c)(3) Not-for-Profit Organization. In its first year of operation, The Jackson Center offered forty-weeks of classes. Eighteen children attended multiple sessions. The Jackson Center is funded through a combination of fees for services, charitable contributions, and fundraising.