Easter Seals Disability Services

St. Francis Health Center Mission Fund

Capper would like to recognize the St. Francis Health Center Mission Fund for awarding us a grant for $7,800. This grant provides funding for a project titled “Enhancing Inclusive Child Care Programs for Children with Special Needs.” 

A series of training classes have been delivered for childcare providers to increase their knowledge and skill in serving children with a variety of disabilities. The training modules used are from a curriculum developed by Capper and many other Easter Seals childcare directors from across the nation. The long-range goal is for families with children with special needs to have more childcare options in the community. 

To date, a series of seven classes have been attended by approximately 275 particpants. Topics included behaviorally challenged children in the classroom, working with children with autism, including children with physical disabilities, and working with children with speech/language delays. Capper has partnered with ERC Resource and Referral Center for these grant activities.

Topeka Community Foundation Grant

We would like to recognize the Topeka Community Foundation for awarding Capper a grant of $15,600. The grant is to assess existing autism-related services in a 10 county region and to determine the needs of families experiencing autism in these counties.

To accomplish this Capper will schedule community focus group meetings in each of the following counties: Nemaha, Riley, Pottawanamie, Jackson, Jefferson, Douglas, Shawnee, Wabaunsee, Osage and Lyon.

Recommendations and observations from these meetings will be summarized and presented at an Autism Summit Meeting, which will have parents and providers in attendance. Capper will also seek to identify organizations within this 10 county region to collaborate with in improving autism services in the area. In addition, a website will be developed to make autism resource information available.