[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 166 (Wednesday, November 20, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1718]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SPACE COAST EARLY INTERVENTION 
                                 CENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BILL POSEY

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 20, 2013

  Mr. POSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Space Coast Early 
Intervention Center (SCEIC) and its long running efforts to serve 
Florida children with and without special needs. For the past 25 years, 
SCEIC has established a unique inclusive program to ensure equal 
learning opportunities for all children regardless of ability. Their 
goal is to provide children with the academic and social skills needed 
to succeed in life.
  The Space Coast Early Intervention Center was founded by Betsy 
Farmer, who recently received the Lifetime Achievement Award during the 
SCEIC's 25th Anniversary Celebration for her vision to establish 
Brevard's premier preschool.
  The preschool is renowned for providing a safe, quality and high 
achieving learning environment for children with developmental delays 
such as William's syndrome, Rhett's Syndrome, Cerebral palsy, Autism, 
Pervasive developmental delays and Apert Syndrome, as well as children 
with visual, speech and hearing delays.
  The SCEIC's curriculum is designed around key development 
indicators--language, literacy and communication; social and emotional 
development; physical development and health; mathematics; science and 
technology; social studies, and creative arts. Through curriculum and 
play, students are taught social skills necessary to develop successful 
friendships, appropriate behavior and have daily opportunities to 
develop and strengthen basic skills necessary to manage themselves, 
resolve conflict and develop positive social behaviors.
  The Space Coast Early Intervention Center enrolls more than 70 
students and has a staff of over 25 teachers and nearly 600 volunteers. 
The Center conducts monthly parent education sessions, as well as 
community training outreach programs. Additionally, a team of 
occupational, speech, and physical therapists, and teacher assistants 
are trained in child care services, First Aid and applied behavioral 
analysis.
  The Space Coast Early Intervention Center provides a tremendously 
valuable service to families and our community. The Center's dedication 
to helping children develop the skills they need to succeed in life 
makes our nation stronger and our future more secure.

                          ____________________