Eligibility: Who the CLC Serves
The Helen Keller Services Children’s Learning Center is a specialized preschool program for children ages 3–5 with complex developmental needs.
Children who may be eligible include those with:
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Down syndrome
- Visual impairments (blind or low vision)
- Multiple disabilities
- Significant developmental delays
- Other conditions affecting learning, communication, mobility, or social development
If your child has been identified with developmental delays or disabilities and is approaching preschool age, our program may be a strong fit.
How Services Are Funded
CLC services are funded through New York State’s Section 4410 Preschool Special Education Program, administered through each school district’s Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE).
Families do not pay tuition.
The Enrollment Process, Step by Step
Contact your local school district’s CPSE. Tell them you would like to request an evaluation for preschool special education services. You can contact the CPSE office directly through your school district.
Step 1: Contact Your Local School District
Let them know you would like your child to be evaluated to see if they qualify for preschool special education services.
Step 2: Your Child Gets Evaluated
Your child will receive a full developmental evaluation from a team of professionals. This looks at areas like learning, speech, movement, and social skills. There is no cost to your family for this evaluation.
Step 3: Attend a CPSE meeting
After the evaluation, you’ll meet with the CPSE team to talk about the results. If your child qualifies, the team will create an Individualized Education Program (IEP), which is a formal document that explains what services and supports your child will receive.
Step 4: Ask for Helen Keller Services Children’s Learning Center
At the CPSE meeting, you can say that you’d like Helen Keller Services Children’s Learning Center to be your child’s preschool program. This lets the team know your preference.
Step 5: We Help with the Next Steps
Once approved, we work closely with the CPSE to help finish the enrollment process and plan your child’s start date.
We work collaboratively with CPSE coordinators, evaluators, and service providers throughout the process to ensure seamless transitions for families. Not sure where to start? That’s okay. Many families feel the same way. We’re happy to answer questions, help explain the process, and offer support throughout. Just reach out!
What Your Child Will Receive
Comprehensive support under one roof:
- Early childhood special education
- Speech-language therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Physical therapy
- Vision services
- Behavioral support
- Family support and resources
- Assistive technology and adaptive tools
- Extended school year programming
FAQs
We know navigating preschool special education can feel overwhelming. Here are answers to questions families ask most often about the CLC and the enrollment process.
HKS is committed to ensuring every family can fully participate. Multilingual family support is available. Contact us to discuss your family’s language needs.
CLC classrooms are small and specialized, designed to ensure each child receives individualized attention from the multidisciplinary team. Contact us for current class size information.
Yes. The CLC serves children with a wide range of complex developmental needs, including autism, Down syndrome, multiple disabilities, and significant developmental delays. Visual impairment is not a requirement for enrollment. HKS’s expertise in vision and sensory processing benefits all children in the program.
Yes. If your child is approaching age 3, it is a good time to begin learning about the CPSE evaluation process. Children transitioning from Early Intervention services should work with their EI service coordinator, who can help facilitate the transition to preschool special education.
Services through the CLC are provided under New York State’s Section 4410 preschool special education program, which is coordinated through your school district’s CPSE. We encourage you to reach out to us directly as well — we can help you understand the process, answer questions, and connect you with the right resources as you move forward.