Special Needs Initiative

Special Needs - Where are we and where are we going?

By: Dr. Jan Daniel Lancaster, Superintendent of Catholic Schools

To start with, we have two schools - Holy Rosary and St. Michael - that do an excellent job of serving students with learning differences and special needs. Meanwhile, all of our schools serve students with learning differences in some capacity, and approximately 10 of our schools have expanded their special needs programs and services this year.

Where are we going?

Next year, we are beginning a pilot program that will offer an inclusion program for  children with Down Syndrome, autism, and other special needs. Some may ask, what has changed from many years ago to make this initiative sustainable?

To start with, we have an archbishop who has openly said for many years that this is a top priority. I am most grateful for his support, and I am grateful that there is much more support. We have administrators who believe serving students with special needs is something we must do; funding from the EEF grant committed by the archbishop for the next four years to help launch these pilot programs; community partnerships offering their expertise and guidance; the hiring of a speech and language pathologist to work in our office on the special needs initiatives; the services of Paul Breaux, a consultant helping us implement this program over the next several years; and finally, the special needs committee, which has worked diligently over the past five years to get this process in place. This committee has been instrumental in guiding and will continue to guide this initiative.

As we move forward, we know that we have the structure and process in place to do this right and we know we have the people in place to make it successful and ensure sustainment and expansion for many years to come. Thank you to the many people who have served God's beloved for many years, and thank you to those who are stepping out in faith to make sure more of His children feel His tender care.