as role models, children with special needs
both similar and different to themselves in
these children, teens, and young adults had
are motivated to expand their normal comfort
a natural, nurturing setting. According to
special needs or developmental delays, and
levels and to seek new challenges more readily.
Duckens, “Our teachers, service coordinators,
22 percent were typically developing. The
Typically developing children thrive from
program staff, and administrators all have
special needs population served is diverse
learning alongside their special needs peers as
a passion for working with children of all
as well. “St. Francis Children’s Center serves
well. They too acquire vital social skills, motor
abilities, and helping them reach their goals.”
children with developmental delays, learning
abilities, and language development in the
The SFCC serves between 800-900 children
differences, autism, Down syndrome, cognitive
inclusive environments found at the St. Francis
and families each year. According to Tara
disabilities, processing, emotional and
Children’s Center.
Clark, Director of Development and Marketing
behavioral challenges as well as the occasional
at the SFCC, in 2017, 872 children from birth
rare syndrome. In our classroom spaces and
through age 22 were served. 78 percent of
through our Family Activity Center, our goal
Perhaps most important for all children is gaining the ability to relate to individuals
APRIL 2018
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