Released on = January 24, 2007, 8:19 am

Press Release Author = Tricia Fleming/HeartShare Human Services of NY

Industry = Non Profit

Press Release Summary = A new school for children ages 5-14 with autism and mental
retardation is opening in Brooklyn, NY

Press Release Body = (Brooklyn, NY)- You hear it again and again-the incidence of
autism is on the rise. In fact, according to the latest statistics, 1 in 166
children are diagnosed with autism and reported cases are growing at a rate of
10-17% each year.

With all these children needing services, HeartShare Human Services of New York is
proud to be responding to the needs of the community by opening its new HeartShare
School. This program is for school-age children with autism and mental retardation
from all five boroughs. Located at St. Finbar's School in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn,
children ages 5 through 14 are eligible for services.

Scheduled to open in February, this program is unique to Brooklyn in that it will
primarily follow the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) approach with the emphasis on
discreet trial learning. Some components of the TEACCH methodology and Picture
Exchange Communication System will also be used. Started at the urging of parents
who had gone to NY State Senator Martin Golden to seek ABA-based educational
services for their children, the program will have five classrooms, each structured
with class-room style learning and speech, occupational and physical therapies.
Additionally, each classroom will have adapted computers, touch screen monitors and
specialized program software that addresses the learning needs of children with
disabilities.

"HeartShare has had a great deal of success teaching children with autism in our
four pre-school programs," noted President and CEO William R. Guarinello. "That is
why parents turned to us to start a program for older children. There were no
appropriate educational services in Brooklyn for many of these families."

Senator Martin Golden stated, "I am excited that as a partner with HeartShare Human
Services, the dreams of the parents who have approached me seeking the best
educational opportunities for their autistic children right here in our community
will come true. For too long, Brooklyn's autistic community has been underserved
despite the rising numbers of those diagnosed. In that notion, we are going to
provide at St. Finbar's School a state of the art school that is ready to teach the
autistic children of our community. We have done a unique and important thing in
the planning and establishment of this school. In doing so, we will make better the
lives of many now and in the future, for through HeartShare, they will receive an
excellent and solid education."

When at full capacity, The HeartShare School will provide full-day educational
services to 48 children. "We still have open placements," said Carol Verdi, Vice
President of Educational Services at HeartShare. "Children from all five boroughs
are eligible, but must be on the Pending Needs list through the Central Base Support
Team within the New York City Department of Education.

HeartShare is excited about the opening of this new program to meet the needs of
students in the community. "Families have been an integral part of the planning
process," said Ms. Verdi, "and we will ensure that they remain involved as we move
forward."

For more information about The HeartShare School, contact HeartShare Human Services
at (718) 323-2877 or visit www.heartshare.org.
###

Celebrating its 92nd year, HeartShare is a nonprofit organization that assists more
than 17,000 New Yorkers. Its wide spectrum of services provides counseling,
after-school programs and assistance with foster care and adoption to children and
families, supports people affected by HIV/AIDS, and administers energy assistance
programs. It also helps individuals with developmental disabilities through
numerous programs including childhood services, adult day programs, residential
services, case management, recreation programs, family support services, and health
services.



Web Site = http://www.heartshare.org

Contact Details = HeartShare Human Services of New York
191 Joralemon St.
Brooklyn, NY 11201
718-422-3266
info@heartshare.org