Achievement Center For Children

OUR MISSION IS TO EMPOWER CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES AND (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) THEIR FAMILIES TO ACHIEVE THEIR GREATEST POTENTIAL.

FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDES A RANGE OF SOCIAL WORK SERVICES INCLUDING COUNSELING, PARENT EDUCATION, SERVICE COORDINATION, CRISIS INTERVENTION, RESOURCE AND REFERRAL INFORMATION, SUPPORT GROUPS, AND OTHER SERVICES TAILORED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF INDIVIDUAL FAMILIES. THESE SERVICES ARE DESIGNED TO GIVE PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS THE TOOLS REQUIRED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THEIR CHILD WITH A DISABILITY AS WELL AS THOSE OF OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WITH A GOAL OF HELPING FAMILIES THRIVE, NOT JUST SURVIVE. AS A STATE AND COUNTY CERTIFIED MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDER, THE ACHIEVEMENT CENTERS ALSO OFFERS A RANGE OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, INCLUDING AN EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH AND (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROGRAM TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES AND PROMOTE THE STRENGTHS OF VERY YOUNG CHILDREN EXPERIENCING SIGNIFICANT MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND OFTEN DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS. FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAMS ALSO INCLUDE INFANT MASSAGE TRAINING, HELP ME GROW HOME VISITING, AND ACCENT SOCIAL WORK.

RECREATION HAS BEEN AN AGENCY FOCUS SINCE 1947. ACC'S CAMP CHEERFUL IN STRONGSVILLE IS LOCATED ON 52 BEAUTIFULLY WOODED ACRES OF LAND IN THE MILL STREAM RUN RESERVATION OF THE CLEVELAND METROPARKS. IT WAS THE FIRST ACCESSIBLE RESIDENTIAL CAMP FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN OHIO. IT IS THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE ACHIEVEMENT CENTERS THAT CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES NEED THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE FUN AND JUST BE KIDS. CAMP CHEERFUL CAMPERS PARTICIPATE IN ALL OF THE TRADITIONAL SUMMER CAMP ACTIVITIES. THESE INCLUDE HIKING, SWIMMING, FISHING, HORSEMANSHIP, ARTS AND CRAFTS, NATURE STUDY, GAMES, CAMPFIRE ACTIVITIES, MUSIC AND SPORTS-ALL IN AN ADAPTED ENVIRONMENT. CAMP CHEERFUL PROVIDES SEVERAL RESIDENTIAL (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)AND DAY CAMP PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS OTHER SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS. SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS OFFERED BY THE ACHIEVEMENT CENTERS INCLUDE CHEERFUL DAYS, A DAY CAMP FOR CHILDREN 5 TO 21 YEARS OF AGE WITH DISABILITIES; SENSATIONAL DAY PROGRAM, PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL SERVICES FOR CHILDREN 5 TO 21 YEARS OF AGE WHO HAVE AUTISM; AND NUMEROUS OTHER RESIDENTIAL CAMP PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS AND ADULTS. WEEKEND RESIDENTIAL CAMPING PROGRAMS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE YEAR ROUND. ALL CAMPING PROGRAMS PROVIDE MUCH NEEDED RESPITE FOR FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERS. RECREATION ALSO FEATURES THERAPEUTIC HORSEMANSHIP AND ADAPTED SPORTS PROGRAMS. OUR THERAPEUTIC HORSEMANSHIP PROGRAM OFFERS RIDING LESSONS AND HORSEMANSHIP ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN AGE 4 AND OLDER AND ADULTS WITH AND WITHOUT SPECIAL NEEDS. THE ADAPTED SPORTS PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS WITH DISABILITIES INCLUDE TEAMS FOR FOOTBALL, WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL, SOCCER, BASEBALL AND MORE OFFERING CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS OPPORTUNITIES TO ENJOY AND SUCCEED IN SPORTS. ADULT SERVICES ARE PROVIDED AT CAMP CHEERFUL YEAR ROUND. OUR RIVER ROCK ADULT DAY PROGRAM PROVIDES A SEAMLESS CONTINUUM OF CARE FOR ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES IN A UNIQUE OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT SURROUNDED BY NATURE. RIVER ROCK PROVIDES ENGAGING SOCIAL, RECREATIONAL, AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR ADULTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND DISABILITIES.

EDUCATION PROGRAMS INCLUDE OUR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TAP) AS WELL AS OUR AUTISM SCHOOL PROGRAM.TAP FACILITATES INCLUSION OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES INTO CHILD CARE PROGRAMS AND SCHOOLS AND AT HEAD START LOCATIONS ACROSS NORTHEAST OHIO. OUR AUTISM SCHOOL IS AN ALTERNATE PUBLIC SCHOOL PROGRAM SITE OFFERING COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM IN OUR KINDERGARTEN THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL CLASSROOMS AT OUR HIGHLAND HILLS AND WESTLAKE FACILITIES, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE EDUCATIONAL SERVICE CENTER OF CUYAHOGA COUNTY. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)OUR HIGHLY TRAINED STAFF USES A BLENDED METHODOLOGY OF SIX RESEARCHED INTERVENTION METHODS TO CREATE INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PLANS FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM. THIS PROGRAM FILLS A VOID IN THE NORTHEAST OHIO AREA AND ALLOWS MANY MORE CHILDREN TO BENEFIT FROM THE BLENDED MODEL OF TEACHING WHICH THE ACHIEVEMENT CENTERS HAS PIONEERED AND WITH WHICH WE HAVE EXPERIENCED MUCH SUCCESS. WE SERVE HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM ACROSS ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS EACH YEAR AND ARE CONSIDERED AN EXPERT IN SERVING THE CHILDREN MOST SEVERELY AFFECTED BY THE DISORDER.