The History of CPES

CPES was co-founded by Dr. David Harvey and Dr. Thomas G. Schramski in February 1980.  The original mission of CPES (originally called “Counseling & Consulting Services”) was to create community services for adults with developmental disabilities, many of whom lived in institutions managed by the State of Arizona.  Immediately prior to the founding of CPES, the State of Arizona had entered a consent decree in Griswold v. Riley, which led to the rapid growth of community support for individuals with disabilities (or consumers) and their families.  The CPES mission has expanded to support for many other individuals with varying needs, including serious mental illness.

Some highlights of our evolution and growth include the following milestones:

1980
CPES provides some of the first community-based day supports to consumers living at the Arizona Training Program at Tucson.  We begin with two employees and six consumers through a contract with the Department of Economic Security, Division of Developmental Disabilities (DES/DDD).  Later in 1980 we open our first two residential services.

1981
Supports for individuals in SE Arizona began and Tucson-area services are diversified to meet the needs of many more consumers and their families.

1983
We rapidly expand our array of services to include early intervention, preschool, vocational and consulting services.  In June CPES is awarded a competitive two-year State/Federal grant for the Model Mental Health Project (MMHP).  The MMHP was a demonstration program for individuals with the dual diagnosis of mental illness and cognitive disability.

1990
CPES begins services in Phoenix and rapidly grow as a result of the expansion of Title XIX services in Arizona.  Our initial services include early intervention, residential and day supports.

1992
We start our first residential services for individuals funded primarily by the behavioral health system in Tucson, through a contract with the local Regional Behavioral Health Authority (RBHA), the Arizona Center for Clinical Management (ACCM).  These services quickly increase over the next few years in our relationships with Carondelet Health Network, CODAC and La Frontera.

1993
CPES assumes management of residential services for 13 individuals with dual diagnosis (MR/MI) in Phoenix, as another provider discontinue services.  We are able to hire 20 new employees in 10 days and dramatically improve the health/safety standards and service quality in 30 days.

1994
CPES BECOMES AN EMPLOYEE-OWNED ORGANIZATION!  By the year 2005, all of the CPES stock will be owned by the employees.  As part of our new ownership, we develop a 10-year plan for quality improvement and growth.

1995
We significantly expand our vocational services in the Tucson and SE Arizona areas, with one of the consumers we support named “Client of the Year” for his successful jewelry business.

1997
Our employees begin providing in-home support services for children and adults, with these services in very high demand, especially in the Phoenix area.

2000
We reach our 10-year plan goals five years ahead of schedule!  As part of an effort to assess our vision, mission and goals, we create a plan for retooling our organization in tune with the principle of self-determination and consumer-directed services.  We also are recognized as one of four statewide “Best Practices” companies by the DES/DDD.

2001
CPES successfully competes for one of the new case management contracts through DES/DDD and takes a leadership role in the move toward consumer and family choice.

2004
In September, the company name changed to Community Provider of Enrichment Services, Inc., but continuing to do business as CPES.

2005
CPES acquired Counseling and Consulting Services, Inc., and agency owned by original CPES founder Dr. David Harvey. The merger with Counseling and Consulting Services allowed CPES to provide much needed counseling services to individuals with co-occurring disorders and gave CPES the opportunity to expand into juvenile justice service, adult probation and family support services. CPES continues to expand its service base, receiving its first ever foster care contract with ACYF

2006
As well as contracts for services with the state Office of Problem Gaming, all RBHAs statewide and expansion into school districts across Arizona.

Today..
CPES serves many individuals with developmental disabilities and/or a serious mental illness, supporting them as they work towards independence and full integration into the community. CPES now has over 1,000 employees, very different from the two staff hired through the first DES/DDD contract in 1980. Today, CPES still offers innovative, exemplary services and support to individuals with disabilities throughout the state of Arizona.

The Future...
As CPES has continues to grow in response to the need for services for people with disabilities and their families, it has become one of the leading providers in Arizona.