CHILDREN’S SERVICES

A variety of children’s services are provided or sponsored for infants, toddlers and children with developmental disabilities.
 
The Early Childhood and Family Center houses the County Board’s Early Intervention program and two integrated preschool classrooms where students with and without disabilities are educated together. Community services are also found there. Easter Seals and their physician and speech pathologist see patients and families in our clinic. The Community Action Commission’s Head Start and Help Me Grow programs also utilize classrooms for integrated activities with children and families served by the County Board.
 
For older children (ages 6-22), we are seeing a cultural shift as a new generation of parents chooses a public school education for their children with developmental disabilities. We know that school-age children with disabilities achieve greater success when they are included with their typically developing peers. We encourage and support families to pursue integration for them even as we continue to provide an option at the School of Hope.
 
As enrollment at the School of Hope declines, we are committed to supporting families and local public schools. We know children with disabilities can and will be well-served in that system and we are committed to the success of everyone involved.