SPARC (Skagit Preschool & Resource Center)

General information

Services may be provided in-home, via community based location or center depending on the unique needs of the family and child’s age. Usually children under eighteen months of age are serviced in-home by a therapist. Children who are between the ages of eighteen months and three years typically attend a class offered in collaboration with Early Head Start. The classroom environment consists of developmentally appropriate individual and group activities or therapy services.

Our organization believes that parents and the families of children with special needs are a valuable part of our program. We encourage cooperation and establish a supportive relationship with parents and families. Parent’s participation, whether in the classroom, at home during visits or at meetings is also encouraged as it helps us better understand the needs of your child and how we can help.

Parents and staff will create an Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP). This plan outlines the concerns expressed from parents and family members and identifies the child’s special and unique needs.

A Family Resources Coordinator will help coordinate programs and services for families and connect families with needed community resources and support. When a child turns three years of age, the staff helps transition children to preschool services, typically provided by the child’s local school district.

For more information contact Pat Holloran, Director ([email protected])

Preschool Program

The Preschool Program provides educational and therapeutic services to Mount Vernon School District’s preschool children with developmental delays. The majority of these children are served within Head Start classrooms. The Rosewood School serves a SPARC/Head Start class, a SPARC class open to community enrollment and a class serving children needing extra supports.

The classroom settings consist of a daily routine of activities rich in the development of academic, communication, fine and gross motor, social and adaptive skill building. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech/language therapy are provided in the classroom as needed.

Children not in classroom settings receive individual therapy.

Each preschool child has an Individual Education Program (IEP) with goals and objectives specifically developed to meet his/her needs. Parents help to develop this education plan and are encouraged to volunteer in the classroom and participate in parent meetings throughout the school year.

For more information contact Cathy Grant, Preschool Coordinator ([email protected])

Neurodevelopmental Program

Skagit Preschool and Resource Center (SPARC) is one of sixteen Neurodevelopment Centers in Washington State. Neurodevelopment Centers provide therapy and related services to children with neuromuscular or developmental disorders. This designation enables SPARC to provide therapy to children not living in the school districts contracted with SPARC and to provide additional therapy to our school district children.

Our Services

Assistive Technology

SPARC’s Assistive Technology Services assist children and their families with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of devices that can be used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of that individual.

The SPARC Assistive Technology service offers children with disabilities the option to access the same curriculum as children in general education, allows for increased communication, promotes independence with daily living activities, enhances their capabilities, expands play and learning, provides opportunities to demonstrate what they know and can do, and removes barriers.