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Special Needs
Childcare
(Return to Parent
Information)
ACAP Child & Family Services offers a Special Needs Childcare program to
provide enhanced early education services to children ages 18 months to 6 years.
The program's focus is children with special developmental or behavioral needs
requiring additional support and understanding.
The program is provided in an integrated classroom setting and allows children
the opportunity to participate in regular childcare activities with additional
services as defined below. Questions about this program can be directed to ACAP’s
program assistant at (253) 939-0870. Enrollment for this program is open to any
child needing the services. Because we believe every child deserves the
opportunity to learn and grow to their fullest potential ACAP utilizes
foundation grant funding for special needs to make services available to any
child in our care that is identified as requiring special help to reach their
learning goals.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS for DSHS SPECIAL NEEDS FUNDING
The child must meet one of the following criteria and be eligible for
DSHS
Special Needs funding:
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IEP from the Auburn School District
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Enrolled in the Birth to Three program with an IFSP
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Behavior Management Plan at ACAP Child & Family Services
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Documented developmental delay or behavioral concern indicated by health care
provider, therapist or other trained individual
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Referred by DCFS, DSHS or the Public Health Department
SERVICES PROVIDED
ACAP provides the following services:
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Developmental evaluation using the Ages & Stages Developmental Inventory
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IDP (Individual Development Plan)
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Case management services
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Advocacy and community referral
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Home visits
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Daily behavior documentation
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Staffing with service providers
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Behavior Management Plans, as needed
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Enhanced staff to child ratios, as needed
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Integrated child care environment
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Parenting classes
The Special Needs Program was funded historically only by DSHS dollars. As the
governmental funds have diminished we now use other resources including grants,
government funding and donations to cover the extended costs for highly
qualified staff and services.
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One
Parent's Note to ACAP
II had serious reservations about my son's behavior
starting around age 2. Our family faced several obstacles
while finding the right child care. We wanted to find a
facility that would work with our family and was willing to
proactively help with my son's behavioral issues. We checked
out several places and even tried out one with no success.
We were left feeling helpless.
When I first approached ACAP, I had a great feeling about
the place, the office gal was happy to assist me with my
questions. The classrooms were clean and well structured and
the atmosphere was all about family and family success. I
enrolled my son shortly after into ACAP's Head Start
Program.
Once enrolled at ACAP the staff assisted me with getting him
tested for an IEP through the Auburn School District, which
later led to his enrolling into a part-time ECE program.
ACAP staff were involved in the process as well and
assisting my son in meeting his IEP objectives. The staff
gave me several resources and helpful tools to assist my
family.
My son recently graduated from the ECE program and Head
Start. He will be starting
Kindergarten in the fall without an IEP. I can honestly say
that had it not been for ACAP and their ability to get
involved, my son would most likely still have serious
behavioral issues. ACAP has assisted me in becoming my son's
strongest advocate and I will be forever grateful to them.
Sincerely,
Proud Parent of an ACAP Participant
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