Training and assistance are available free of charge in both Spanish and English. Those who complete the licensing process will receive a bonus gift of toys and activity materials. Popular workshop topics include Child Care and the Americans with Disabilities Act, Communicating with Families, Adapting Toys, Epilepsy, Autism, and Working with Challenging Behavior. The program is a collaborative effort coordinated by Children's Council, Support for Families of Children with Disabilities, the Child Care Law Center, and Wu Yee Children's Services, with supplementary financial support from Providian Financial. Child care providers can sign up for workshops in caring for children with special needs.
Therapeutic services are available to child care centers as well as to family day care homes.
Both parents and providers can request help. In some cases, children may need more intensive individualized support. Recognizing this fact, Children's Council recently developed a therapeutic preschool designed to serve a limited number of children. Located at the Visitacion Valley Community Center, the preschool started in January 2001. It will offer an opportunity for providers to meet old and new friends and to share information and experiences about their profession.