Resource Archive

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 16, 2019 WASHINGTON –Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings are very important for children coping with special needs. These meetings outline goals for the child’s education and treatment, and it guides how services will be provided. “These meetings are very important because the IEP guides how the child will be educated and outlines goals for the child, interventions, and any accommodations and services that will be provided,” said Dodd White, president and CEO of the Episcopal Center for Children (ECC), a nonprofit organization providing therapeutic and special education services to children ages 5-14 in the greater Washington, DC area. “It’s important to review IEP meeting documents in advance before the meeting,” said White. “An IEP meeting…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – December 10, 2018 WASHINGTON – The holidays are upon us, and while there’s loads of merry-making and fun to be had – the changes and sensations of the season can add stress to the lives of children with special needs and their families. The Episcopal Center for Children (ECC), a nonprofit organization serving children with special needs ages 5-14 in the greater Washington, DC area, offers the following tips to help. “Children with special needs enjoy the holidays but they are especially sensitive to the changes in routines that the holidays bring,” said Dodd White, president and CEO of ECC. “Making a plan, thinking about your child’s needs, and adjusting your expectations can help you create…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 9, 2018 WASHINGTON – Little ghosts, goblins, and all sorts of costumes characters will soon descend on neighborhoods across the country on Halloween night. For children coping with special needs, Halloween can be a lot of fun. The Episcopal Center for Children (ECC), a nonprofit organization providing therapeutic and special education services to children ages 5-14 in the greater Washington, DC area, offers parents and guardians some tips for supporting children coping with special needs. “It’s always important to keep safety in mind, especially if you are the parent or guardian of a child coping with special needs,” said Dodd White, president and CEO of ECC. “When we talk about safety, we are not just…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – August 8, 2018 WASHINGTON – Heading back to the classroom this fall is exciting, but it can also be a challenging time for families of children with special needs. The Episcopal Center for Children (ECC), a nonprofit organization serving children coping with special needs ages 5-14 in the Washington, DC area since 1895, offers tips to help: Tip #1 – Review your child’s Individual Education Plan (IEP). Carefully look over the IEP. Do you have any new medical or psychological reports that the school should know about? Some parents find using a binder or folder for paperwork can be a big help. Tip #2 – Keep everyone informed. Talk with the school to make sure their…

Learning shapes, numbers and letters, are an important part of preparing a child for school. But supporting positive mental health development is also an important part of school readiness. Parents must identify, address and balance their child’s emotional and mental health needs alongside their educational requirements and development. The Episcopal Center for Children offers the following tips for parents to assist their child’s positive mental health development as part of National Children’s Mental Health Day, which is being observed nationwide on May 10, 2018. Tip #1: Help instill responsibility in your child. Create age-appropriate learning and experiential opportunities that help your child demonstrate responsibility. This can be achieved by assigning chores, providing examples of cause and effect, and establishing routines….