The Aroostook County Action Program Inc. is providing preschool special education services to families in northern Maine for the coming two months through an agreement reached this week with State of Maine, Child Development Services (CDS)
The temporary contract allowed for 37 students attending programs offered in Caribou, Presque Isle and Houlton to return to class on Monday, May 2, 2016. The children were previously enrolled in the Circle of Learning Preschool in each community, which ceased operations in April.
In addition, staff who meet Maine Department of Education and ACAP classroom qualifications were extended offers of employment to join the agency and provide special education instruction to the children enrolled through June 30.
“ACAP’s mission is to respond to emerging community needs,” said Sue Powers, senior manager, ACAP Family Services. “Working with Child Development Services to form a plan to address the needs of children and families who lost vital special education services was just the right thing to do.
“The children impacted depend on stable, consistent programming, staff and environments so we set out to design a plan that would best address these needs in an effective and efficient manner. I am happy to report that the plan came together with the support of a lot of hard working, determined staff at ACAP and CDS,” Powers said.
Programs in Caribou and Houlton are delivered in existing classrooms at ACAP Early Care and Education Centers. In Presque Isle, the integrated classroom that had been located on the campus of the University of Maine at Presque Isle has moved to the ACAP Early Care and Education Center at Gouldville.
“The entire ACAP team, and especially our staff and leadership in Family Services, are doing all they can to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible. I could not be more proud of the efforts of all involved,” said Jason Parent, ACAP executive director/CEO.
“As they do each and every day, our staff is coming together and stepping up to ensure County families receive a much needed service,” Parent said.
