Resource center opens doors to special-needs caregivers

By MARALINE KUBIK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- An open house today and Thursday will introduce Youngstown to the first educational resource center in Ohio for caregivers to special-needs children.
The first open house, 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, is for public officials and professionals in the community; the second, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, is for caregivers.
Mahoning County Providers Special Needs Early Childhood Resource Center is housed at Potential Development Program's education center, 209 W. Woodland Ave. It will offer access to workshops and more than 50 activity kits to the more than 230 licensed caregivers who operate child care centers in their homes, and 100 day-care centers that contract with the county, said Jean Munnell, child care manager of Mahoning County Jobs and Family Services.
The continuing education workshops will be taught by a part-time coordinator from Children's Hunger Alliance, and activity kits can be checked out for use at each day-care site.
The kits include everything needed to complete one activity and are specifically designed for the various ways children learn -- by hearing, touching or seeing.
About 8,000 children through age 12 will benefit.
Sponsors: The resource center is a joint project of Potential Development Center, which operates a preschool for children with developmental delays, behavioral problems or autism, and a kindergarten and elementary school for children with autism; Mahoning County Department of Jobs and Family Services; and the Children's Hunger Alliance.
The resource center's hours of operation are yet to be determined.
kubik@vindy.com