After-School Center for Disabled to Open

With the doors to Anaheim’s first after-school day-care center for disabled children about to open, planners are already working toward additional centers throughout the county.

Anaheim joined with the Crippled Children’s Society of Southern California to open the center in time for school this fall. There are a few after-school day-care centers for disabled children elsewhere in the county, but this will be the first one in the city.

“There’s not as much as there is for mainstream children,” said Teri Mountford, recreation supervisor at the Anaheim Therapeutic Recreation Center, about after-school care. “It’s something that’s needed. Hopefully others will follow.”

The center at Maxwell Park in Anaheim can care for about 15 children from 2 to 6 p.m. weekdays, with special schedules for summers and holidays. The city provides the work space and supplies, and the Crippled Children’s Society will staff the center with four counselors and operate the program.

Most of the children are developmentally or physically disabled. They will be involved in a number of activities after school, such as group games for social interaction, physical activities according to their abilities, and arts and crafts. A quiet corner will also be available for those who want to do their homework.

Trips to local museums and libraries are planned. A day-care center for able-bodied children is also housed at the park, and the two groups will sometimes interact, said Tom Henry, center director.

Henry said his organization is already contacting other cities and schools districts to try to set up additional centers.

The Anaheim center, with joint participation from the city, costs the Crippled Children’s Society about $100,000 to operate, he said.