Through a $300,000 grant from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, the Florida Center for Early Childhood recently expanded its Starfish Academy, an inclusion model pre-school serving infants and young children. Approximately 60 percent of the students has a developmental and/or behavioral disorders, requiring intensive services and adult supervision. Funds will provide for two licensed mental health clinicians and other resources to increase the Academy’s services.

Through the Starfish Academy, children can be educated in the least restrictive setting with other developing peers, increasing the chances for improved social/emotional and academic development. Part of the Barancik Foundation’s First 1,000 Days initiative, which increases access to care for mothers and babies, the program will also strengthen families, providing services they need to adequately care for their child.

Starfish Academy