WHITE HORSE LEARNING CENTERS

Preschool Autism Program
The Camden County Educational Services Commission (CCESC) in conjunction with the Gibbsboro Public School District operates a full day regionalized preschool program for students diagnosed in the autism spectrum. 

The primary focus of the Preschool Autism Program is the development of cognitive and communication skills.  Goals are achieved through a variety of techniques but not limited to: Applied Behavioral Analysis, Behavior Modification, Greenspan’s Floor Time (DIR), Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and Social Stories.  The secondary focus is functional instruction to develop social, behavioral and academic skills.  The long term goal of this program is to provide students with the skills necessary for success in a less restrictive environment.

Program characteristics include:

• Full day program for students classified preschool disabled in the autism spectrum whose needs can be appropriately addressed in an in-district environment
• Experienced supervisor and teacher; student to staff ratio of  3:1
• Complete academic program including art, music and physical education
• Occupational, speech, and physical therapy services per IEPs
• Community outings and opportunities to interact with other students
• Parent and sibling support groups

K – 2 Autism Program
In spring 2007, the Commission was awarded $300,000 under the Governor’s Initiative on Autism Grant to expand its regionalized special education programs.  With these funds, the Commission entered into a partnership with the Clementon School District to operate a full day K - 2 program for children diagnosed in the autism spectrum.
The K – 2 program expands on the same components of the preschool program by incorporating inclusion experiences with typically developing peers in classroom activities, lunch, recess, assemblies and other school activities.  Throughout the school year, teacher support is provided to the home or home district through visits, observations and other means to assist in transitioning the student to return to the home district. 
Key components of this program are behavior and occupational therapy consultants to provide training and support for staff, students, parents and districts as well as ongoing professional development opportunities for all constituent member districts.

Autism Consultation Services
The Camden County Educational Services Commission provides a variety of consultation services to member districts to assist them in the educational planning, staff development and program implementation of services for their resident students.

New to the CCESC family of services, Autism Consultation provides individualized services to member districts and their staff.  Consultant Services include, but are not limited to: consultation, staff development, staff training, transition planning, behavior intervention plans, functional behavior assessments, individual education plans (IEPs) development assistance and parent/family training.  These services are available as a contracted service and can be tailored to meet the needs of a district, department or a single student.

For additional information, regarding our White Horse Learning Centers and Autism Consultation Services, contact:
Jeanne Opeil-Kernoschak
Supervisor of Special Services
856-784-2100, ext. 139
jkernoschak@camdenesc.org

COSAC

The Commission is a member of the New Jersey Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community (COSAC).  Since 1965 COSAC has been a leading advocacy and information network for parents of children with autism and the professionals who work with them.  More information about COSAC can be found at www.njcosac.org.