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Fifty-five years ago there were no educational opportunities for
special needs children in LaPorte County. In the late
1950's, Mrs. Norton Barker donated five acres of land to the Parents
Council for the purpose of erecting a school for these children.
Through the unique cooperation of parents, labor unions, local
suppliers and community support the existing building was
erected.
For the following two decades, The Center provided an environment of
learning for these special children. Then the law changed
and the public
school incorporated the 3-5 year old children into their curriculum,
leaving The Therapy Center serving only infants and toddlers who
were experiencing developmental delays. National philosophy and
laws also changed to make services family focused and move more
of the services to the home. The need for high quality
childcare services for children with special needs was
identified. The decision to create a day care center was
made in March 1999, and the Therapy Center became Barker Woods
Enrichment Center. It remains, however, dedicated to
serving the needs of those special children for which it was
founded. |
