Imagine you are a young child, dependent on others, but unable to communicate your needs. This was Luna’s story, as she struggled with a developmental disability impacting her daily life. She began attending the Starfish Academy preschool at The Florida Center for Early Childhood, where teachers and therapists work together through wrap-around services that enhanced Luna’s social and developmental skills. At Starfish, Luna was motivated by typically-developing children in her “inclusion” model classroom, and encouraged to reach her full potential. Luna’s parents were thrilled when she spoke her first within a year of attending the school. 

Luna’s progression was inspiring, but the expense of additional therapies was difficult for her family to afford. Thankfully, contributions from caring donors helped cover the cost of Luna’s preschool and treatments. You can help children like Luna by supporting The Florida Center. With 1 in 6 children suffering a mental, behavioral or developmental disorder, your gift today will light the way for a brighter tomorrow for children in need. 

About the Florida Center for Early Childhood: For more than 40 years, The Florida Center for Early Childhood has been the leading provider of therapeutic services, early education and healthy development for young children in southwest Florida, offering a seamless delivery of services for the whole child and their family. Today, the agency is nationally recognized for its early childhood expertise in a variety of specialties. The Florida Center provides developmental therapies, mental health counseling, Starfish Academy preschool, the Healthy Families home-visiting program, and the state’s only Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders clinic.

For more information, visit thefloridacenter.org or call 941-371-8820.

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