WOODLAND HILLS : New Director Named for Baher Center

The Joanne and H. E. Baher Center has named one of its employees, Christofer Arroyo, to be the facility’s new director, officials from the organization have announced.

Arroyo, who has been a program director at the center since July, 1993, will replace Roberta Newton, who left for other career opportunities, officials said.

Arroyo, 24, a native of New Jersey, was the logical choice, said Bernard Sandalow, a spokesman for the center, an arm of the Crippled Children’s Society of Southern California Inc. The center serves people of all ages who have developmental disabilities, he said.

“They were looking for somebody who was already working in the community and who understood the needs of their clients,” Sandalow said. “It was a matter of finding somebody who was already in place and who was familiar with the programs.”

Arroyo graduated from UCLA with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, with specialization in such developmental disabilities as mental retardation, Down’s syndrome, autism and cerebral palsy.

Arroyo said his goals are to “tighten our ties with the community and develop additional programs.”

The center, which has 21 full- and part-time staff members, serves an average of 40 children and 150 adults at any time, Arroyo said.

The Baher Center has operated under different names since 1954, according to officials. The Crippled Children’s Society is a misnomer because it helps people of all ages, Arroyo said. The organization is considering changing its name.