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A place where special kids can still be kids
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| Shannon Cassidy reads to children at Pride Pre-School. Advertiser photo by Audrey Lindsey. |
By Audrey Lindsey Correspondent
Adorning the walls of Pride Preschool in Moulton are several colorful characters. A clown holds the strings to balloons with the names of the schools’ children on them. A calendar brightly displays the children’s birthdays. There are bookshelves filled with books and tables covered in finger paints and toys.
So what makes Pride Preschool different from other preschools?
“We’re not a preschool for education,” says Jenny Lynch, who works with the children. “This is a mental health treatment program. Our basis is treatment of emotional behavioral problems such as ADHD.”
The preschool does offer many of the same programs as other preschools, but it also offers one thing that might not be available elsewhere. Included in the schedule along with reading and other childhood activities are group and individual therapy, and family therapy is also offered.
Pride Preschool is a program of the Moulton Lawrence Counseling Center, which is a community mental health provider that has been providing services in Lawrence County since 1967. The preschool has been in service for about 20 years.
“This is a place for children who may exhibit interaction problems with peers or with following directions,” Lynch says. “We work closely with the Department of Human Resources and local head starts. We get children who may have difficulty focusing in a regular preschool. Some can be more aggressive than other children. Some have emotional and behavioral problems, but the goal is to make a smooth transition into kindergarten. We use positive reinforcement and praise. We try to catch them being good.”
Pride Preschool seems to have a very talented staff. They have about four staff members to every ten kids, so it’s a very hands on experience. They even offer transportation to and from the preschool. The program is certified by the State Department of Mental Health, and the children are covered by Medicaid and All-Kids.
The children recently had a Transition Ceremony at the Moulton Recreation Center on Aug. 1. They had a good turn out with just shy of 200 people in the audience. Such displays show that Pride Preschool offers the care and nurture that every child needs, but also goes that extra mile to offer a little more for children who may need a little more. The providers are well experienced and work with these children because they want to make a difference. This program could have a very positive effect on a child and the child’s entire family.
So what do you do if you think that this is the right place for your child?
First, make sure that your child meets the criteria.
“We are not a day care,” Lynch says. “Our kids are here because they meet the behavioral criteria. These kids are wonderful – they just need a little extra attention.”
Such criteria includes: defiance, poor attention, excessive talking, disrespect, excessive movement, and fighting with siblings to a point that the parents cannot control.
“These children have to meet the criteria to be in our program,” says Lynch. “But if parents need help, they should call for an assessment.”
For more information, call the Access Line at (256) 355-5904, or call Jenny Lynch or Shannon Cassidy at (256) 974- 6697.
So what makes Pride Preschool different from other preschools?
“We’re not a preschool for education,” says Jenny Lynch, who works with the children. “This is a mental health treatment program. Our basis is treatment of emotional behavioral problems such as ADHD.”
The preschool does offer many of the same programs as other preschools, but it also offers one thing that might not be available elsewhere. Included in the schedule along with reading and other childhood activities are group and individual therapy, and family therapy is also offered.
Pride Preschool is a program of the Moulton Lawrence Counseling Center, which is a community mental health provider that has been providing services in Lawrence County since 1967. The preschool has been in service for about 20 years.
“This is a place for children who may exhibit interaction problems with peers or with following directions,” Lynch says. “We work closely with the Department of Human Resources and local head starts. We get children who may have difficulty focusing in a regular preschool. Some can be more aggressive than other children. Some have emotional and behavioral problems, but the goal is to make a smooth transition into kindergarten. We use positive reinforcement and praise. We try to catch them being good.”
Pride Preschool seems to have a very talented staff. They have about four staff members to every ten kids, so it’s a very hands on experience. They even offer transportation to and from the preschool. The program is certified by the State Department of Mental Health, and the children are covered by Medicaid and All-Kids.
The children recently had a Transition Ceremony at the Moulton Recreation Center on Aug. 1. They had a good turn out with just shy of 200 people in the audience. Such displays show that Pride Preschool offers the care and nurture that every child needs, but also goes that extra mile to offer a little more for children who may need a little more. The providers are well experienced and work with these children because they want to make a difference. This program could have a very positive effect on a child and the child’s entire family.
So what do you do if you think that this is the right place for your child?
First, make sure that your child meets the criteria.
“We are not a day care,” Lynch says. “Our kids are here because they meet the behavioral criteria. These kids are wonderful – they just need a little extra attention.”
Such criteria includes: defiance, poor attention, excessive talking, disrespect, excessive movement, and fighting with siblings to a point that the parents cannot control.
“These children have to meet the criteria to be in our program,” says Lynch. “But if parents need help, they should call for an assessment.”
For more information, call the Access Line at (256) 355-5904, or call Jenny Lynch or Shannon Cassidy at (256) 974- 6697.
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| Fair weather, friends | 'Lifesaver' coming to Lawrence County |
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