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One of just fifteen such centers statewide, the Early Childhood Direction Center
is an information resource for parents who suspect their child may be
developmentally disabled. It is often a first step to link families to the
services their children may need.
The bilingual staff can provide information to parents on how to have their
child evaluated, and what services are available in the community. They can also
give information regarding financial resources available to help with the cost
of care. Professionals may also contact the Directional Center for assistance at
718-374-0002, ext 433.
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Research has repeatedly
shown that children have a greater chance of reaching their maximum potential
when the earlier developmental delays are addressed. QCP’s Early Intervention program
begins to work with children soon after birth, providing needed services until
the child turns three. We offer comprehensive evaluations and special
instruction as well as speech, physical, and occupational therapy, both in the
center and in the child’s home.
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 For children aged three to five with disabilities, the APPLE (A Preschool
Program for Learning and Enrichment) program offers a comprehensive array of
educational and therapeutic services, including speech, occupational, and
physical therapy, counseling, and various other consulting services. Special
education teachers, along with clinicians, emphasize cognitive, motor, social,
and language skills development. We offer services at our school or in the
community.
About one hundred children currently take part in this program. The majority
will go on to be integrated into the public school system.
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Queens Centers for Progress offers a nursery school and Universal
Pre-Kindergarten program to children in the community, serving both children
with developmental disabilities and typical (non-disabled) children.
The Apple Tree Nursery School is a resource for all parents within the
community who need an affordable preschool or day care service. It also provides
for interaction between disabled and non-disabled children. The benefits of such
inclusionary experiences for disabled children have been well documented and
encouraged for at least a decade. Children without disabilities get a chance
early in life to interact with those who have disabilities and will learn to
accept them as part of their community.
Our Universal Pre-Kindergarten program for four-year-olds is run in
collaboration with the New York City Department of Education. It is part of a
statewide program to prepare children for school, by giving them early
experiences in a classroom setting with structured activities.
Our Apple Tree programs at the center also includes
toddler activity sessions.
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 The Children’s Center School currently serves
twenty-four children, with multiple
disabilities, who cannot be mainstreamed into
the public school system. Students here, who
range in age from five to twenty-one, get
intensive training in cognitive, motor,
socialization and communication skills, as well
as traditional school subjects.
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QCP can help arrange for a wide variety of adaptive equipment and assistive
technology in family’s homes. Along with occupational and physical therapists,
our carpenter and adaptive equipment designer help construct adaptive furniture
and arrange for home modifications, such as rails for bathtubs and toilets to
aid with mobility and self-care. Electronic devices can be provided to assist
with communication for nonverbal students. In addition, the center has a
"lending library" of toys specially adapted for children with physical
disabilities.
Our staff is knowledgeable about the various forms of insurance, Medicaid and
grant funding available to cover the expenses of the special services needed by
children with developmental disabilities.
Other family support projects include assistance with financial demands
relating to the special needs of the children, respite services, and case
management.
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