Most children with intensive needs thrive in a controlled environment. An environment with soft light, free from allergens and the noise associated with a typical classroom. In addition, teachers have expressed the desire for other equipment that will help them better teach our children but may fall out of budgetary guidelines.

• Professional Development

Farm System
Working with special needs children is more of a calling than many professions. No one gets wealthy doing this work however, the satisfaction and fulfillment that comes from watching children grow their potential is worth millions. However, there is a shortage of qualified professional people to do this work. P.A.S.E. is working closely with the area high school and college internship programs to expose these individuals to the rewarding opportunities working with children with special needs. Creating a “Farm System” of people that have a desire to do this work and may just make it a career. The program will expose these individuals opportunities that are paid for, receive class credit or both.

Training
There is some much to learn about teaching these kids and it is all a work in progress. PASE intends to sponsor workshops and training sessions to further improve the knowledge of all professionals in dealing with the education of our children.

• Volunteer Program

We have a Volunteer Program Coordinator that will visit the schools with intensive needs programs and coordinate a parent effort to assist the teachers. These volunteers will do tasks that the teacher does not have time to do such as copying, laminating etc. This will free up the Special Ed. Teacher to focus on teaching and organizing the classroom.

In most cases the volunteers will not work directly with the children. However, if they do wish to work as para professionals we would coordinate the effort with the school to get them properly trained.