When Trey started in the child development program in 2018, he was just two years old, so public school was off the table. Because he can’t see, walk, speak, or feed himself, among other special needs, typical centers couldn’t support him either, but the Elaine Clark Center’s small sizes and trained staff facilitate his multiple weekly therapies, daily medicines, and more, all while allowing his mom Kelly to keep working. She said a scholarship makes the financial needs of Trey’s care more manageable, and she can be confident he is still developing and learning with his special needs.

“Skills that his therapists put in place, his teachers follow through,” she said of the way they work closely together, and teachers continue the activities the therapists start. Teachers helped with milestones from sitting up to growing more comfortable with small groups. Since the rise of COVID-19, Trey hasn’t had his regular therapies and had to adjust to a new routine. Though he can’t say it himself, Kelly knows he misses his friends and routine at the Elaine Clark Center.

“It’s just a place where I feel like people go out of their way or do what they need to do to make sure he’s getting what he needs. It’s a huge relief when he spends a lot of his time there.”