Breaking Ground in Islandia: The Children’s Learning Center Is Coming to Long Island
On June 18, we broke ground in Islandia on the first of two new Helen Keller Services Children's Learning Center locations coming to Long Island.
Image description: Six people in white hard hats stand with shovels in front of a sign reading “Coming Fall 2026: Children’s Learning Center, A Specialized Preschool for Children with Disabilities and Complex Developmental Needs” at the Islandia location. L to R: Mayor Allan M. Dorman (Village of Islandia); Rory Whelan (Deputy Commissioner of Economic Development and Planning, Suffolk County); Larry Kinitsky (HKS Board Chairman); Al Adelman (HKS Board Member); Trish Bergin (Suffolk County Legislator); Dr. Susan Ruzenski (CEO, Helen Keller Services).
On June 18, we gathered in Islandia with elected officials, board members, community partners, and our team to mark the groundbreaking ceremony for the Helen Keller Services Children’s Learning Center on Long Island. The new specialized preschool at 11 Oval Drive will be the first of two Long Island locations dedicated to early childhood education for children with disabilities and complex developmental needs, expanding access to comprehensive multidisciplinary services for families across Suffolk and Nassau Counties.
“Breaking ground in Islandia is a moment our families and community have been waiting for,” said Dr. Susan Ruzenski, CEO of Helen Keller Services. “With nearly four decades of experience running our Brooklyn program, we’re bringing that same multidisciplinary expertise and commitment to each child’s development to Long Island. We’re grateful to the elected officials and community partners who joined us today to mark this milestone.”
A Community Effort
We were honored to be joined by Mayor Allan M. Dorman of the Village of Islandia; Rory Whelan, Deputy Commissioner of Economic Development and Planning for Suffolk County, who spoke on behalf of Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine; Suffolk County Legislator Trish Bergin; and Seth Squicciarino, representing State Senator Monica Martinez, who presented Dr. Ruzenski with a Certificate of Recognition. They were joined by our Board Chairman Larry Kinitsky, Board member Al Adelman, members of the HKS leadership team, our program staff, and a roomful of community partners, local business leaders, and representatives from organizations serving Long Island families.
A Proven Model, Built for Each Child
The Helen Keller Services Children’s Learning Center is a specialized preschool program for children ages 3 to 5 with disabilities and complex developmental needs, including those who are blind or have low vision, have autism, Down syndrome, or other conditions that affect learning, communication, and mobility. Each classroom integrates early childhood education with speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and other supports inside a coordinated learning environment, with a team of educators, therapists, and specialists working together around each child.
The Islandia preschool at 11 Oval Drive will open in fall of 2026, with a second Children’s Learning Center at 303 Sunnyside Boulevard in Plainview, Nassau County, slated to open several months later. Each location will operate six classrooms, with combined capacity to serve up to 120 children annually.
See the Coverage
News 12 Long Island joined us at the groundbreaking. Their segment features remarks from Dr. Susan Ruzenski and Children’s Learning Center Principal Avien Henry on what the expansion will mean for Long Island families.
Video courtesy of News 12 Long Island
Reporter: Pat Mantle
Original air date: June 18, 2026
Original article and broadcast: https://newyork.news12.com/helen-keller-services-breaks-ground-on-new-childrens-learning-center-in-islandia
This video is shared by Helen Keller Services, Inc. for non-commercial, educational purposes to inform our community about our programs and services. All rights to the original broadcast remain with News 12 Long Island and Altice USA, Inc. No monetization or commercial use is associated with this posting.
Reporter narration: A new space for preschoolers with developmental needs in Suffolk, Helen Keller Services held a groundbreaking ceremony today for their new Children’s Learning Center in Islandia. The preschool is for children between three and five years old with visual impairments, autism, Down syndrome, and other developmental needs.
Dr. Susan Ruzenski, CEO, Helen Keller Services: “We have a team of experts that support them. So we have teachers and teacher assistants, therapists. It’s really a team approach, and we’re supporting each child based on what their specific needs are.”
Reporter narration: The Children’s Center is expected to open this fall.
What’s Next
Construction is underway in Islandia, and we are beginning to engage families, providers, and community partners across Long Island in advance of opening day.
For families: Learn about our program, the enrollment process, and the services we provide at helenkeller.org/clclongisland.
For pediatric providers and partners: We are actively building our referral network across Suffolk and Nassau Counties. Contact us to learn how to connect families to the program.
For everyone else: Follow our progress and stay connected as we move toward opening day. Sign up for updates at helenkeller.org/clclongisland.
