About
Compiled from public web sources — unverified until claimed; please confirm details directly with the provider.
Focus
Residential Facility Autism Emotional Disability Intellectual Disability Other Health Impairment Specific Learning Disability
Description
ISBE-approved nonpublic special-education facility (residential facility), serving students with autism, emotional disability, intellectual disability, other health impairment, specific learning disability. Illinois districts can place and fund students here under Section 14-7.02.
What this special-needs school offers
Summarized from their website — verify details directly with the special-needs school.
Cunningham Children's Home is a nonprofit residential treatment and special education organization based in Urbana, Illinois, founded in 1895, serving children, youth, and families with therapeutic support and stability. The organization operates a 37-acre campus and provides a broad continuum of care including residential treatment, special education, emergency shelter, and community-based services.
Leadership
Marlin Livingston — President / Chief Executive Officer
Pat Ege — Vice President of Program Services
Tony Wilson — Director of Residential and Clinical Services
Melissa Harden — Chief Financial Officer
Ann Pearcy — Director of Community-Based Services
Paige Hall — Director of Human Resources
Mark McCusker — Director of Education
Ginger Mills — Director of Advancement
Shawn Peterson — Director of Quality Improvement
Sharon Brown — Board President
Vicki Harber — Board President-elect
Staff
Catherine Nickrent — Board Treasurer
Doug Abbott — Board Secretary
Charles Rohn — Board Treasurer-elect
Populations served
Children and youth requiring residential treatment Youth experiencing homelessness or runaway situations Families in need of stabilization services Students with special education needs
On-site therapies
Trauma-informed care Therapy (10,808 sessions delivered annually)
Services
Residential treatment Special education (CIRCLE Academy, Gerber Education Program) Cedars Youth Shelter (emergency shelter) Transitional and independent living services Runaway and homeless youth services Employment support Family stabilization services
Programs
CIRCLE Academy Gerber Education Program Cedars Youth Shelter HopeSprings Counseling Services
Highlights
953 individuals and families served annually; 163 students across three education programs; 10,808 therapy sessions delivered (FY 2025); 37-acre campus; founded 1895; mission and ministry of the United Women in Faith of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference
Approach
Trauma-informed care across all programs