The Debra Center for Functional and Academic Development is a licensed academic support service for children and teens, grades 3-8, throughout the city of Chicago, IL. Debra Center focuses on the individualized needs of children and teens with special needs. Our mission is to provide children with special needs the opportunity to reach their fullest potential through academic, functional, socialization and recreational activities while keeping inclusion as an overall goal.
OUR GOALS
- Give parents/guardians or caregivers more control over what their child is learning and focusing on. We use the child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) as the primary source of teaching. Although the child is assessed in the classroom we use our own assessment tools as well to determine if the child’s goals are suitable for their overall needs, while providing them with support to achieve their goals. We work closely with the school, family and community partnering agencies.
- Provide self-sufficiency and life-skills support. We organize activities and field trips within the city as a means to involve the child in daily activities to promote independency. We provide individualized services at the child’s school, home or in the community (i.e. library, community center), 7 days a week, between the hours of 8:00 am – 8:00 pm (group sessions will become available soon). Individuals are consistently assessed and are given weekly progress reports. There will be light take home assignments and family friendly activities.