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Program Description
The Brooklyn Early Childhood Direction Center
is a confidential service, provided at no cost,
which links children with special needs and
their families to community and support services.
ECDC functions in a neutral manner to provide
parents and professionals with all options of
available services in their areas. Some of the
needs for which help is available include: learning
problems, delayed language, speech impairment,
developmental delays, mental retardation, cerebral
palsy, autism, epilepsy, deafness/hearing impairment,
blindness/visual impairment, physical disabilities,
behavior/emotional problems, attention deficit
disorder, and chronic health problems.
Services
ECDC provides information and referral for the
following:
- diagnostic and evaluation services
- early intervention services
- preschool special education
- integrated preschool, day care and Head
Start
- respite and homemaker services
- special therapies
- counseling
- medical and dental services
- technology resources
- entitlements
- transportation
- parent support groups
- financial support
- family support services
ECDC helps families learn about available
options, including how to arrange for evaluations
and how to find the services they need. As part
of SHARE, a resource center for children with
special needs and their families, Brooklyn ECDC
can also introduce families to a variety of
materials available for loan, including books
and videos, adapted toys, and computer software.
Hours of Operation
Families and professionals may call the Brooklyn
Early Childhood Direction Center Monday through
Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00
p.m.
Eligibility
Anyone may call ECDC if they believe a child
might have a delay or disability, or if they
feel a child is "at risk" for a disability.
Children potentially needing help include those
who are having trouble speaking, hearing, seeing,
walking, standing, playing, paying attention,
or just getting along with others. Brooklyn
ECDC serves only children and families who live
in Brooklyn. However, the program can provide
the phone numbers of ECDCs serving other boroughs
and other parts of New York State.
Funding
There is no cost for utilizing the services
of Brooklyn ECDC. Funding is provided primarily
by the New York State Education Department,
Office of Vocational and Educational Services
for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID), and
is supplemented by private contributions to
UCP/NYC.
Location and Travel Information
Brooklyn ECDC is located at 160 Lawrence Avenue
in Brooklyn, between Ocean Parkway and McDonald
Avenue. The location is easily accessible to
bus and subway transportation, and there is
street parking available in the neighborhood.
To Apply to the Program or Obtain
More Information, Contact:
Karen Samet, Director
Brooklyn ECDC
c/o UCP of NYC
160 Lawrence Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11230
Tel: (718) 437-3794
Fax: (718) 436-0071
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