Easter Seals Eastern Pennsylvania

Early childhood: early intervention (ei) physical, occupational and speech therapists and developmental specialists work directly with children under age 3 to identify delays and disabilities, and coach parents on strategies that they can implement to promote development throughout their child's normal day. Since brain development is at its peak during the first five years, intervention occurs when it does the most good. Ei is delivered wherever the child spends his or her day and is provided at no cost to families. During fy 2023-2024, 770 children and their families received early intervention services.

Community support services (habilitation): offers community-based activities and supports for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities with the goal of fostering independence and enrichment. Each participant receives individual assistance to engage in a variety of activities from performing the functions of daily living to volunteering and pursuing educational, social and recreation opportunities. During fy 2023-2024, easterseals provided 39 consumers and their families community support services.

Outpatient therapy is available at our center in reading, berks county. Children and teens receive physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy during the day and after school. During fy 2023-2024, 190 children and their families received outpatient therapy services.

Specialty clinics: orthopedic, neurology and orthotic (specialty brace) clinics are offered to children at our center in reading by specialists from philadelphia and berks county to help families manage their child's care right here in our community. There is no cost for families and spanish translation is available. Autism diagnostic clinics are offered to children 18 months to 3-years old in collaboration with children's hospital of philadelphia and st. christopher's hospital for children using a telehealth model. Provided at no cost to families.applied behavior analysis (aba) parent coaching is available for families with a child recently diagnosed with autism. Parents learn how applied behavioral analysis (aba) therapy can benefit their child, basic techniques for common behaviors, and more. Provided at no cost to families.during fy 2023-2024, 480 children and their families received specialty medical care services.

Contracted services are provided through schools and organizations to help children with disabilities who need physical, occupational and speech therapy. During fy 2023-2024, easterseals provided contracted services to 15 children in the lehigh valley and berks county.

Fiscal administration: Easter Seals provides fiscal administration for family directed support services for northampton and lehigh counties. These are pass-through programs where pre-approved funds are paid to the consumer on behalf of the county. During fiscal year 2023-2024, Easter Seals provided fiscal administration services to 356 consumers and their families.

Recreation: camp lily-lehigh valley and camp lily-berks are summer day camps offered in a series of one-week sessions, monday-friday, for six weeks in july and august. Children age 8 through 21 enjoy a full schedule of arts and crafts activities, outdoor sports, swimming, music, games, science exploration and guests teaching special topics.easterseals camp growing green is an overnight summer camp for children and adults with disabilities held at the pocono environmental education center. Campers participate in environmentally focused activities as well as typical camp activities such as hiking, canoeing, sports and arts & crafts. An optional career experience track is available for campers who want to explore career opportunities. Camp is offered in a series of one-week sessions, sunday-friday, for six weeks in july and august.weekend respite camp provides two days and two nights of overnight fun at the pocono environmental education center. Modeled after our successful overnight summer camp, activities include arts & crafts, birdwatching, hiking, animal studies, recreation and more. Offered in the spring and fall for ages 10 to adult.hang time is an evening recreation program that allows teens and young adults to meet up weekly to socialize, make new friends and enjoy fun activities. Hang time is offered in 8-week sessions from october through may, and serves the residents of berks county.during fy 2023-2024, easterseals provided recreational programs to 472 persons.

Career pathways: leap (learn, earn, achieve and practice) is a comprehensive employment preparation experience for youth with disabilities, ages 16-21, who attend school and are eager to work and earn a paycheck. It combines workplace and independent living skills instruction with paid work experience to provide participants with the skills they need to transition more successfully into adulthood.during fy 2023-2024, easterseals provided career pathway services to 7 consumers.

Community programs: make the first five count is a grant-funded program that offers the tools needed to evaluate and track a child's progress, celebrate their development, act early if there is a concern and support parents. Developmental screenings, workshops for parents, and individualized learning sessions are available at no cost. Screenings are conducted in partnership with community organizations and parents and caregivers everywhere can access them on our website.during fy 2023-2024, 459 children and their families received support from the make the first five count program.