Community Outreach Programs

Regional Early Childhood Direction Center (RECDC)

Did You Know… The Early Childhood Direction Center is a joint project between Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong, SCDD and Monroe BOCES #1. It serves an eleven county region including: Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, Yates, Steuben, Schuyler, and Chemung.

The Regional Early Childhood Direction Center (RECDC) provides information, support and referral assistance to parents and professionals who are concerned about a child with special needs or a disability. Our center provides support for children in Monroe County and the surrounding 10-county area.

Children are eligible for service if they are between the ages of birth to five years and seem to have problems doing the things most other children do at those ages. This may include problems in sitting, crawling, walking, eating, speaking, hearing, seeing, playing, getting along with others, or a disabling condition.

Any parent or professional who has concerns about a child's development, ages birth through 5 years of age may contact the Regional Early Childhood Direction Center at no cost.

The staff provides free consultation and assistance to parents and professionals and helps connect the family to the appropriate service. Services include:

• Locating screening services for possible developmental problems or conditions
  
• Providing information on referrals to special services that are available within the community based on the preference of the family. These services include:
  
  • Counseling
  • Day Care and Preschool Program
  • Early Intervention Services
  • Family Support Services
  • Legal Support
  • Parent Infant Program
  • Preschool Special Education Services
  • Respite Services
  • Summer Programs
  • Therapy and medical services
  • Transportation
    
• Parent education workshops to help understand the laws and network of early childhood special education. Workshop topics include :
  
  • Special Education Laws
  • Your rights as Parent/Caregivers
  • Understand terminology such as CPSE, CSE, IEP, IFSP, LRE, etc.
• Training and Technical Assistance to schools, agencies and other community groups. Some training topics include:
  
  • Inclusion
  • Accessing Resources in the Community
  • Working with Children with Challenging Behavior
  • Preparing for Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) meetings