IRONDEQUOIT, N.Y. -- The abrupt closing of Stepping Stones Learning Center by the New York State Department of Labor has left education gaps in the community, with special needs families scrambling.
Similar and more financially stable organizations are stepping up to offer their support. Among them is Holy Childhood, a non-profit organization offering special education programs.
President Donna DeeDee says they're applying upon request to the New York State Education Department to open up a preschool special education program, a niche formerly filled by Stepping Stones.
"200 pre-school slots are now needed for these students to be placed,” said DeeDee. “There is immediacy to it, so it’s an emergency situation and I think state ed is reacting appropriately, and so are service providers like Holy Childhood to determine, can we do it? How quickly can we do it? What should that program look like?"
A job fair on Friday featured special education providers like Holy Childhood, Mary Cariola and others who are looking to offer help to those special education providers who have found themselves without work.