The Focus Alternative Center teaches students with a range of emotional and physical needs ages 6 to 18 and is an extended day treatment program. Many of the students experience emotional needs that get in the way of their regular school. Since it is a needs based program, each student receives a tailored program. The school is a private, not-for-profit institution and according to Executive Director Donna Swanson, is turned down by lots of grants. "We are hanging on by a thread here," she said. I thought we would have to close in December. We are open. Last year, we taught 145 students serving 40 towns.
This week, the school will be presenting a panel discussion on the spectrum of autism on Thursday, May 19 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the West Hartford Public Library. The library is located at 20 S. Main St. (children's entrance). The title of the program is "Creatively Wired and Socially Challenged.
"The panel is articulate, brilliant, left of center and very open and honest about their journey with their disorders," said Swanson. "You will hear firsthand about their experiences and how they impacted their lives at home, school and in the community. "They want to let you know that they have suffered but they have not given up and have grown to accept and embrace their 'peculiarities' and channeled them into something useful, without changing 'who' they are. These kids are amazing and their willingness to share their experiences to help others have hope and change their lives is inspirational."
In a letter to Lieberman, student Alex Cable wrote about the positive impact the school has made on his life. "I'm eleven years old," wrote Alex. "You might not understand the hard work I do at FOCUS. I am learning a lot about playing with others and being a good friend. These things are hard for me because I have autism. The people at FOCUS understand my autism, and they know how to help me. FOCUS is a place where I can fit in."
Swanson wants the community to know the significant role the schools plays in many local homes.
"Autism is affecting one of our every 144 kids," said Swanson. "Lieberman and Dodd are proposing $176 million over five years for schools like ours. We have an educational model that works. We have parents who have been e-mailing Lieberman and Dodd about our program. We are close to closing. The funding is not there. We received a transitional grant to help with funding from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. We had a parent donate a commercial on WVIT, Channel 30 that produced 30 calls to the school from people who want to help. There are 28 to 30 kids in the wings that need our service. Parents need our help in showing them how to think out of the box with this population. Our kids are awesome. These kids will make you cry. You feel their agony and ecstasy. We all need places like Focus."
The school will be hosting a fund-raiser on Saturday, June 4 on Canton Springs Road in Canton. The event, the 3rd Annual FOCUS Fun Fest, will consist of family activities including a dunk tank, bounce house, raffles, music, animals, pet parade, and tarot cards. The Canton Lions Club will be collecting unused eye-ware. People are encouraged to bring aluminum cans for recycling.
For more information on the FOCUS Alternative Learning Center in Canton, visit its Web site at www.focus-alternative.org or contact the school at 693-8809.
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