We are a group of highly qualified educators providing services for children with disabilities from birth to 21 and their families in Brown County, WI.
At this time, there are several hundred possible clients who receive Children’s Long-Term Support (CLTS), Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) services, and/or are willing to private pay.
Each month an average of 40-90 new children are approved for CLTS and agencies in the area already have 40+ clients on their waitlists. Most of the agencies I have talked with only provide services for children with certain abilities, such as potty-trained, able to sit for group time, functional communication in place, etc. We are willing to work with all children even if they haven't mastered these skills yet. There is also a limited time frame during the day that other agencies provide services and we know the families are looking for more options throughout the day/week. We are willing to be open longer hours and Monday through Saturday to meet our clients' needs.
We are paid a set rate for each service we provide per client from either CLTS, DVR or private pay. We will fundraise in our community and we will have a grant writer on staff.
Up to this point, I have met with the directors of CLTS and DVR to ensure our agency is providing the services that are in high demand at this time. Our agency will begin providing the services that have the longest waitlists and build service options as our capacity allows. I have toured several agencies in the area that would be our competition and talked with them about what they offer, what clients on their waitlists are looking for, and how they are structured to make the most profit. I have met with the YWCA Greater Green Bay to discuss renting space from them including two classrooms, therapeutic pools, a fitness center, open gym, kitchen area, and board room to provide our range of services and trainings. I have a SCORE mentor providing me contacts for a lawyer, insurance provider, and other non-profits in our area to provide advice and expertise.
Our team has never started or ran a non-profit, but between us we have over a 100+ years in working with and teaching children with special needs. Several of us have our Master’s Degree and I have completed my administration license in the areas of Principal and Director of Special Education and Pupil Services. Support staff or Instructional Aides will have Associate Degrees and are licensed by the WI Department of Education (DPI) as paraprofessionals. What we don’t have in business experience we make up for in heart and passion for making a difference in these kids’ and their family’s lives. We see the hurt and struggle in our community and feel that our hands are often tied in the classroom. The district puts up so many road blocks from budgets, to lack of staff, to lack of support and training. We know and understand how students with intellectual and developmental disabilities learn best and we have extensive tools and strategies to help them be successful in their homes and in our communities. These opportunities will carry over into increased classroom success as well.
This seed money will help us pay for the following start up costs:
Lawyer on retainer to help complete the 501(c)3 application and subsequent needs
First year of Insurance Coverage (Liability, D&O, Unemployment)
First 3 months of rent (space at the YWCA)
Materials, technology, and furniture to set up two classrooms
Adaptive equipment to use in the fitness center, open gym space, and therapeutic pools
Sensory tools and equipment
Office equipment for two staff
Curriculums and materials for children birth to 21
2-3 Months of staff salaries until funding sources start (CLTS, DVR, private pay, grants, fundraising)